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.
On February the 5th, the government released Labour market statistics for the December 2019 quarter.
The statistics provide a picture of the New Zealand labour market, including unemployment and employment rates, demand for labour, and changes in wages and salaries.
There were numerous findings in the statistics, but most notably were the kiwis earning more, and female Kiwis specifically earning at a rate higher than male kiwis.
I spoke with Andrea black, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions policy director and Economist about these finding’s implications and what they potentially outline for the future of New Zealand’s labour sector, as well as certain trends I myself noticed in my analysis of the statistics
I started off by introducing some of the big findings and then asking - 'if these quarterly wage increases for the average kiwi offset the rising living costs of New Zealand'
Justin and Conor discuss the result of the general election in the Republic of Ireland, after left-wing republican party, Sinn Fienn broke a center right duopoly of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, whom have ruled for almost a century.
Justin talked to Paul Thompson, the Chief Executive of Radio New Zealand, to talk about the decision to move classical music station Concert FM to the AM frequency, in order to set up a new youth-oriented station.
Justin started by asking the direction of the new youth station.
Justin talked with Matthew Tukaki, Executive Director of the New Zealand Maori Council, about Maori interests in public media reforms, after the government announced last week a new entity will merge Radio New Zealand and TVNZ.
Last Wednesday a judgement was dismissed by the high court of Justice surrounding the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate which was Introduced in 2017 to help benefit tourism in Auckland. The APTR is charged to hotels, motels and AirBnB that are rented for 28 days or more, with a change in rate depending on the number of days rented. This rate combined with money from rate payers is helping fund events such as the women's rugby world cup and the NZ fashion week. James started off by asking Auckland mayor, Phil Goff, how the Targeted Rate works.
On the Show today, Lillian speaks to Te Ara whatu spokesperson Haylee Koroi on raids on Wet'suwet'en clan terriroties, in Canada.
Sherry speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw on Jacinda’s annnnouncement at BGO on increased HIV funding and support, and broader questions of mental health, homelessness and conversion therapy in the LGBTQ+ community.
James Tapp talks with Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff about the Accommodation Provider Targeted rate.
And finally Sherry catches up with journalist Jess Fu on her article on RNZ responding to racism and xenophobia chinese community from the coronavirus.
Haylee Koroi is from Te Tai Tokerau, of Pukepoto and Utakura descent. She is a member of Te Ara Whatu, an indigenous youth climate action group made up of young people around the Pacific working toward climate justice. Te Ara Whatu released a statement of solidarity this weekend with the Wet'suwet'en nation in Great Turtle Island, or Canada. Wet'suwet'en land protectors have been occupying their territory in protest of a pipeline that will cut directly through it. All five Wet'suwet'en Clans have opposed pipelines on their territories. On the 6th February the Royal Canadian Mounted Police moved onto the territory carrying out a raid on the unarmed land defenders. 6 unarmed people were arrested that morning, and a further 20 people have been arrested since. Lillian Hanly spoke with Haylee from Te Ara Whatu to find out more about what is going on. Firstly though, Lillian asked how Te Ara Whatu experienced attending COP25 the climate conference for leaders around the world.
Journalist Jess Fu wrote a piece for RNZ responding to the racisms and xenophobia expeirenced by the New Zealand- Chinese community. Sherry discusses with Jess the questionable framing of Chinese people by New Zealand Media, and ways to better support and fight back against ignorance.
In its annual survey of top CEO pay issued last week, The New Zealand Herald showed the average earnings of CEO’s jumped 12 percent last year to $1,750,141 compared with a 2.4 percent rise for average New Zealanders.
As several researchers, including the University of Auckland’s Tim Hazeldine, have pointed out, the trend of overpaying CEOs “lacks any obvious empirical justification in terms of general improvements in marketing, productivity, and profitability.”
Rachel Simpson talks to Peter Malcolm, who is the Secretary General of Closing the Gap NZ. They talked about how to keep up the pressure on the government, corporates and CEOs during the upcoming election year.
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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