Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Sara Mckoy, Max Micheel, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
Data released this week showed that there has been no significant change in child poverty and material hardship since 2017 - Mary-Margaret speaks to Children’s Commisioner Andrew Becroft first about his response, followed by Jackie Clark of The Aunties; Sam talks to Andrea Black from the Council of Trade Unions about the significance of wage increases in this issue; Lillian speaks to Otago University researchers about CRISPR technology & genetic engineering; and we catch up with Zoe Kounadis for another week in Neighbourhood Watch
Premier League winners: 2011–12, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19
FA Cup winners: 2010–11, 2018–19
Football League Cup: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
Since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi's takeover of Manchester City in September 2008, the blue side of Manchester has taken English football by storm. Now managed by manager Pep Guardiola with a side featuring world-class players like Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Brunye, it became the first side to complete an unprecedented sweep of all domestic trophies in England in 2019.
Yet, the Citizens are now facing a ban from European continental football competitions for breaching financial and sponsorship rules, after email leaks alledged money from Abu Dhabi were injected into the club illegally.
Finances aside, Abu Dhabi has more plans than create a team of champions in the Northwest of England - it is a sky-blue project to show its modern, progressive side rather than let the world know of the Gulf state's dark secrets, and take more control in the region.
Produced and Written by James Tapp and Justin Wong
On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman, we are talking about machine learning for antibiotics, fighting the rise of fraudulent whisky, and antimatter atoms.
Lillian is finally returning to her Blood Phosphate series - on Part V today we hear from Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman what the government could possibly do about this.
And Sherry talks to New Zealand Law society spokesperson Chris Macklin on the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill.
The sexual violence legislation is currently at it’s select commitee stage, having passed its first reading last year. The Bill carried by Green party MP Jan Logie, hopes to lessen the trauma experienced by victims and survivors within the justice system. This includes the protecting victims from unnecessary questions, and empower Judges to adress consent/rape myths, and pre-recording of cross-examination to reduce the trauma
The 2014 New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey indicated that 15 percent of New Zealanders have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes. Research indicates sexual offending is subject to low rates of reporting to police and relatively low conviction rate.
The Law Society broadly supports the bill’s changes to the way victim impact statements are presented to the court however has recommended some changes:
Sherry begins by asking nz law society spokesperson and crown prosecutor Chris Macklin to summarise the changes the bill is asking for.
Justin talked to Opportunities Party leader Geoff Simmons about the party's newly-announced Auckland candidates and its direction in the September election
Over the weekend Aukland broke its 47 dry spell over the weekend, to much relief for those who rely on rain water as a source as well as farmers. However water usage is still high in Auckland, with coastal and rural communities having to carefully ration while they wait for water trucks. Last week James talked to Andrew Chin, the head of healthy water strategy at Auckland council, starting off by asking how Aucklanders can reduce their water usage over the summer or even all year round.
James Tapp talks to head of Healthy Water Strategy at Auckland Council, Andrew Chin.
James Tapp also gives us part one of his report on Manchester city sports washing and corruption.
Sherry has her weekly chat with Green party co-leader James shaw on political transparency and lower carbon emission vehicles.
Trigger warning: sexual violence and assault.
Sherry Zhang speaks to law professor Elisabeth Mcdonald on her research on the perpetuation of rape myths during the cross-exanimation of complainents in sexual violence cases.
Sherry Zhang also speaks to Auckland women’s centre manager Leonie Morris, who responded to some of questions raised by the New Zealand law society around funding, and effectiveness of pre-recording cross-examination. They talk further in depth of the traumatising process the court process can be for victims of sexual assault.
Despite more than 40 years of law reform aimed at improving the experience of giving evidence for adult rape complainants, Ministry of Justice research in 2018 re-confirmed that the process remains distressing and re-traumatising.
Sherry talks to University of Canterbury law professor Elisabeth McDonald on her research into rape myths, and how these myths remain a barrier to a fair trial process.
Sherry begins by asking Elisabeth to give some background to her research:
Sherry speaks to Manager of the Auckland Woman's centre Leonie Morris on rape myths, the trauma victims experience through cross-exanimation and the justice system, and responds to some of questions raised by the New Zealand Law Society regarding the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill. UC law Professor Elisabeth McDonald also speaks on her research into the perpetuation of rape myths in the cross-examination in sexual assault cases.
People to reach out to:
0800 044 334: Sexual Assault helpline: Safe to Talk
09-376 3227: Auckland Women's centre
While not included in this podcast due to timing of the show, Leonie notes that the cross examination process is extremely dehumanising and belittling process for victims, and also hopes that the Bill will be more culturally inclusive especially for our maori and pacifika communities.
From Dec 27 to Jan 18, all train lines across Tāmaki will be shutting down for summer maintenance, a closure which is expected to be the last of its kind ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
The current measles outbreak in Tāmaki is being continually monitored, with exposure sites being updated daily on info.health.nz. The public are encouraged to track whether they’ve been in possible contact with the virus, and get up to date on any vaccinations to limit possibilities of transmission.
Auckland Council are supporting arts initiatives across the summer months, with Music in the Park kicking off in early January, and Movies in the Park following in February.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, and also asked for comment following the attack by two gunmen at Bondi Beach earlier this week.
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
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