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.
Lillian spoke with John Knox who was the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights and the Environment about the recent UN Human Rights Committee decision to deport a Kiribati national back to their country despite the impact of climate change on their human rights.
Sam spoke with Jono Drew, a researcher from Otago University about the carbon emissions from different types of food and how we can inform consumers of this information.
We have Neighbourhood Watch as usual, Zoe tells us about financial grants from MPs to sports clubs they have a relationship with
And finally Sam speaks with Ann Brower from University of Canterbury about the gender pay gap in Academia
This week it was announced that Ioane Teitiota lost his case in the UN’s Human Rights Committee. Teitiota claimed refugee status saying climate change had affected his right to life, asking not to be deported to Kiribati. New Zealand had given this ruling originally, so this decision has upheld the original ruling. In looking into the news, Lillian saw a Twitter thread by John Knox, a Professor of International Law and the former UN Special Raportuer on Human Rights and the Environment. This role was established in 2012, and has a particular focus on people who are affected by the climate emergency. Knox had found some of the reporting on the issue misleading, particularly regarding the use of the term 'climate refugee', saying "the Human Rights Committee is a body of independent experts mandated to oversee compliance with the Int’l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) ... one of its tasks is to consider complaints from individuals alleging violations of the Covenant. The definition it uses for refugees is not one that includes people fleeing climate effects". However, this case has been reported as hugely significant for what it might mean in the future as it recognises that the conditions from the climate could very well change and directly impact a persons right to life. Knox states that "under the ICCPR even those who aren’t “refugees” have the right not to be returned to a country if doing so would cause a risk of irreparable harm to their rights to life (art. 6) or to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment (art. 7)". Lillian got in touch with him to understand more about why this is indeed a landmark case and what it could mean in the future. They started by discussing the role of a UN Special Raportuer.
NOTE: 95bFM is trying to get in touch with Ioane Teitiota.
Wellington City Council has announced a major project with a private developer to provide affordable housing in the city for nurses and teachers. It's understood this is the first of its kind here in New Zealand, but the rental cap type model is certainly not new in the rest of the world, but the Council and partner developer The Wellington Company have announced more projects in the future that will continue the concept. Wellington councillor Fleur Fitzsimons is in charge of the portfolio and Lillian Hanly speaks to her to find out more about the Council's hopes for 'rent stabilisation' in Wellington.
A group of Chinese construction workers who came to New Zealand through an overseas employment agency have been left broke and jobless after spending upwards of $40,000 on agency fees. They were refused a visa extension after they were lied to about how much they would earn and how long they could stay. Felix Walton spoke with Unite Union's Mike Treen who is trying to help the workers.
With many indications this week that the Ihumātao dispute might be coming to an end with an agreement on how to move forward on the horizon, Lillian touches on the latest announcements which indicate a more detailed plan is not far off at all. Thank you to One News for the live stream.
On Dear Science with AUT's Marcus Jones we are talking about a new virus that is spreading at an alarming rate, ozone-depleting gases that are heating up the Arctic, and an "agricultural revolution" in the UK.
Lillian speaks with Wellington councillor Fleur Fitzsimons about the city’s housing project that will see nurses and teachers in affordable homes.
Felix speaks with Unite Union's Mike Treen about a group of Chinese workers who were left jobless after their overseas employment agency lied to them about their visas.
And Lillian gives a mini update as to what is happening at Ihumātao with an agreement very close on the horizon.
Justin talks to University of Sydney's Graeme Gill and University of Melbounre's William Partlett about the constitutional changes proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the fallout from the resignation of Prime Minister Dimitry Merdvedev and his cabinet.
More than 200 people over China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand have been infected by a new type of coronavrius, which 4 have been killed. Justin talks with Siouxie Wiles of Auckland University to find out more about coronaviruses and how is this new virus different to SARS and MERS.
Louis talks to Hugh Pavletich, the co-author of the Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, about the increasing unaffordability of the housing market.
Justin discusses the proposed constitutional changes in Russia and the fallout from the resignation of Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev's government with Professors Graeme Gill of Sydney University and the University of Melbourne's William Partlett.
Chris talks to Kerry Davies of the PSA on the working conditions of home support workers.
Justin also talked to Siouxsie Wiles of Auckland University about the pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan.
Two years ago after a historic equal pay settlement ended long term pay discrimination against home support workers, many complain they face a new struggle against shortened hours, irregular job security and inadequate resources. Chris talked to Kerry Davies of the Public Service Association to find more about these workers' working conditions.
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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