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.
Justin talked to Joseph Lee, a Hong Kong lawmaker, about the city's strike by public medical workers in protest of the government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
Louis talked to Annabeth Cohen of Forest and Bird about New Zealand's disapperaing wetlands.
International Desk gives an explainer of the Iowa Caucus.
We crossed to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira in Waitangi for a report on Waitangi Day.
Louis also spoke to Sam Hagard of E Tu Education about a government boost in trade and vocational training.
Yesterday was World Wetlands Day, and well along we bring you some bad news Forest & Bird have found that the majority of wetlands on private land around New Zealand remain unprotected.
A series of aerial images from around the country showed how freshwater wetlands on private land have completely or partially disappeared from 2001-2016.
With more than ninety percent of New Zealand’s original wetlands already destroyed, what’s left is incredibly important.
The Wire's Producer Louis talked with Annabeth Cohen, a member of Forest & Bird & an advocate for Freshwater.
Waitangi Day is approaching very soon, already today Government leaders & ministers were welcomed on to the upper marae this morning. Bfm will be sure to cover all of the affairs over the next few days.
To kick it off we cross now to Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira, an ex-bfm reporter for the news team, now working for radio Waatea as a political journalist. Louis caught up with him for an overview of the days processings.
The trades & vocational training are to receive a boost from the government, placing them at the center stage in schools.
More than 85,000 students will talk to around 4000 employers at events to promote vocational education in schools.
Furthermore, the Government is funding more than 300 schools with $3000 each to run trades-based events to give both students and teachers the opportunity to connect with and explore industry-specific careers. Most will take place in terms one and two this year.
It comes as the Government unveils a $12 billion infrastructure programme to build and upgrade roads, rail, schools, and hospitals, creating thousands of new jobs up and down the country.
Louis spoke with Sam Haggard, Strategic Researcher with E Tu Education, about the announcement.
Last Wednesday the coalition government announced spending on infrastructure, putting 8 billion towards reading, public transport, schools and hospitals. 78% of this has gone towards road projects, such as road widening in state highway 1 between Whangarei and port Marsden, the Mill road project and the Tauranga northern link. With only 2.4 billion left for public transport, schools and hospitals among other infrastructure, groups such as Generation Zero are disappointed at this step back from the Zero Carbon act which was bought into law this year, with transport currently contributes for 40% of our carbon emissions each year. That being said, pressure has been taken off local councils, especially Auckland council, with projects such as a walking and bike path under the harbour bridge now being funded. James talked to Coco Lovatt, a member of Schools strike for climate, about how they've looked at this announcement and what they'd like to see in the future.
On this week's wire, our chat with Green party co-leader James Shaw. This week on the recent travel bans in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, and the distribution of funds in the infrastructure plan. Sherry and James discuss the decarbonisation of hospitals and schools, and the skypath which have been given boosts in the plan.
Sherry Zhang speaks to Health minister David Clark on the coronavirus travel bans, finalised health precautions on the evacuation flight for New Zealander's from Wuhan and responds to the growing anti-chinese sentiment.
Lillian Hanly went along to the announcement of Infrastructure plan and brings us an overview report on the situation. It is part of their intended 12 billion dollar spend on infrastructure they signalled at the end of last year. The remaining 4 billion will be administered in the budget.
James Tapp talks to Schools Strike 4 Climate spokesperson, Coco Lovatt, on their critisms and response to the Infrastructure plan.
Recently travel bans have been announced in response to the Coronavirus outbreak:
Any foreign travellers who leave or transit through mainland China after February 2, 2020 (NZ time) will be refused entry into New Zealand.
Any foreign travellers in transit to New Zealand on February 2, 2020 will have enhanced screening on arrival however once cleared, will be granted entry.
New Zealand citizens and permanent residents returning to New Zealand will still be able to enter along with their immediate family members but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Health precautions have also been finalised for the flight bound for Wuhan to evacuate New Zealanders, Pacific Islanders and Australians. Sherry speaks to Health Minister David Clark to provides more detail and also discuss growing hostility and racism against the Chinese New Zealand community.
Sherry begins by asking David whether these travel bans are adequate or neccesary, as WHO maintains that no unnessary travels bans should be in place.
The government made a rather large announcement last week in the shape of 8 billion dollars. It is part of their intended 12 billion dollar spend on infrastructure they signalled at the end of last year. The remaining 4 billion will be administered in the budget. To get a bit of an idea, Lillian Hanly went along to the announcement and takes us through it.
Neutral corner for this week examines media coverage of the upcoming Iowa primary elections, particularly the narrative around Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
First up, The National Party’s, Denise Lee joins Laura Kvigstad for their weekly catch up. They chat about the Serious Fraud Office filing charges in relation to National donations, infrastructure spending and why she is campaigning for an East-West link and whether The National Party will sign up for Facebook's political ad transparency tool in their election campaign.
Next, Rachel Simpson speaks with AUSA president George Barton about the vice-chancellor being bought a five million dollar home by the university as a part of her payment package.
Then, Rachel speaks on dolphin conservation on the Great Barrier Reef with Dr. Daniele Cagnazzi
And Finally, Ben Goldson is going back to America in Neutral Corner, he looks at the Iowa primary elections with a particular interest in the coverage around Bernie Sanders.
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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