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.
The National Parties Denise Lee joins Laura Kvigstad for their weekly chat. This week, they have a chat about the Waitangi Tribunal and Simon Bridges comments that it should be disestablished "at some point". After that, they touch on the potential partnerships that the National Party could be interested in with the coming election.
First up, The National Party’s, Denise Lee, is back to keep us up to date on all the National Party news.
Next, Rachel Simpson speaks with Closing The Gap Spokesperson, Peter Malcolm about bloated CEO income packages.
Then, Laura Kvigstad has a chat with Chief Executive, Letitia Harding about new vaping educational resources that have been launched by the asthma and respiratory foundation.
After that Rachel fills us in on a recent announcement from broadcasting minister Kris Faafoi
And Finally, Ben is going back to America in Neutral Corner, he’s looking at the Iowa primary elections.
New vaping educational resources that have been launched by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, Laura Kvigstad has a chat with Chief Executive, Letitia Harding why the resources are important in addressing the concerns of rising youth use of vapes.
Tina Ngata is of Ngati Porou descent, she is a mother, a writer and an advocate for Māori rights. She has been a part of the Kia Mau movement that is working to recognise the injustice of the Doctrine of Discovery and speak against state sponsored memorialisation of James Cook. She has also been a steadfast voice against the commercialisation of whenua and caring for Papatūānuku. Recently Lillian came across a statement by Tina regarding the use of water and how imperialism relates to water and climate change. Lillian wanted to speak to her about this but as it is the 5th of February, started by asking how she is feeling in the lead up to Waitangi Day.
On 11 November 2019, Gambia filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Myanmar of breaching its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The complaint included an urgent request for the Court to order “provisional measures” to prevent all acts that may amount to or contribute to the crime of genocide against the Rohingya and protect the community from further harm while the case is being adjudicated. De facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rejected accusations of genocide, and urged the court to reject the case and refuse the request for provisional measures. At the end of last month, the Myanmar government- established Independent Commission of Enquiry concluded that while the Myanmar security forces may have been responsible for war crimes and “disproportionate use of force”, it found no evidence of genocidal intent. The full report has yet to be made public. However, the International Court of Justice has now officially ordered Myanmar to take “provisional measures” to prevent genocidal acts against the Rohingya community. Lillian Hanly spoke with Francisco Bencosme, the Asia Advocacy Manager for Amnesty USA, about what this means.
On Sunday the New Zealand government announced that it will be banning entry for any non-citizens traveling through China. The ban attempts to reduce the likelihood of coronavirus entering the country, with New Zealand citizens coming from China being forced to remain in isolation for up to 2 weeks. The announcement of the ban was quite sudden, and has left tertiary institutions to grapple with the large number of international students now unable to return because of the ban. The New Zealand International Students Association says the sudden ban puts international students at an “immense disadvantage” - being given very little time to make proper arrangements for their studies.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we have a coronavirus update, a milestone in forming metallic hydrogen and habitable planets orbiting black holes.
Lillian spoke to Amnesty International about the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice ordering Myanmar to take ‘provisional measures’ to prevent genocidal acts against the Rohingya community.
Felix spoke to the New Zealand International Student’s Association about the impact that the government’s travel ban is having on students returning for study.
Lillian also spoke to Tina Ngata about the lead up to Waitangi Day and putting constitutional transformation on the agenda for the upcoming elections.
Public medical workers in Hong Kong are striking against the government's handling of the coronavirus situation. While Chief Execuetive Carrie Lam's government announced a partial closure of the city's border with mainland China, unions demanded a full closure to prevent an outbreak in the community. Justin talked to Joseph Lee, the heath sector lawmaker at Hong Kong's Legeslative Council, to find out more about the strike.
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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