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.
This week on Monday's wire, Lachlan speaks to Lewis Holden, Chair of NZ Republic on the upcoming royal tour and republicanism in NZ. Southern Cross is back with the latest in Pacific news. Sherry speaks to Women’s Refuge Chief Executive, Dr Ang Jury, on combating domestic violence with education in primary schools. Finally, Lillian wraps it up with our regular chat with Green Party co-leader James Shaw. This week we discuss the goverment surplus, polling, changes to refugee policy and voting age.
Prince Charles and Camilla are coming to New Zealand in mid-November and their visit will include a trip to Waitangi. The visit has some groups calling for New Zealand to becom a republic and get rid of the Queen as our head of state. Lachlan spoke with Lewis Holden from NZ Republic about the royal visit.
This is the last day where you can both register and vote in your local election. You can still drop off your voting papers tomorrow, Saturday the 12th of October, at a library near you but after that voting is closed. General Manager of Democracy Services Margeurite Delbet joins Laura Kvigstad to give us some more detail on all the ways you can get your final votes in.
This week a big topic in the news has been government 7.5 point five billion dollar surplus. The high surplus has resulted in a great deal of criticism for the government's management of money however Infometics Economist Brad Oslen joined Laura Kvigstad to discuss how the surplus is an opportunity for the government to prioritise their spending.
The Parent Category Visa, which allows migrants to bring over their family members, will be reopened. The previous government closed the category entirely in 2016, however this week it was announced that the category will reopen in February next year - with some changes. Many are criticising the new requirements as discriminatory and favouring the rich.
These include capping the number of visas a year to 1,000 and increasing the financial requirements of the migrant child who must sponsor their parents. While previously a migrant worker would only have to prove an annual income of $65,000 to sponsor one parent, this has been increased to $106,080 for one parent and $159,120 for two. Or, if you are looking to combine your and your partner’s incomes, $159,120 for one parent and $212,160 for two. These numbers are based on the median income of $53,040.
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway sez the high salary threshold is to help to attract high-skilled migrants to New Zealand.
I spoke to Tax Barrister Dave Ananth about how he would suggest the scheme be changed, such as by introducing temporary visas. He began by dispelling the myth that all migrant parents are interested in Permanent Residency.
On this week's Friday Wire, The National Party’s, Erica Stanford, joins Laura Kvigstad to discuss the government's surplus and why National is pointing to the government for the rise in gang activity.
After that, Bronnie Wilde speaks to Dave Anant about the new requirements of the Parent Category Visa and his suggestions for a different approach.
Then, Informetrics Economist Brad Olsen joins Laura to discuss the government’s surplus and it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Next, General Managers for Democracy Services, Margeurite Delbet tells you where you can get your last minute votes in for this year's local elections in Auckland.
And Finally, Ben Goldson covers Operation Peace Spring in a segment of neutral corner.
Justin talks to Finance Minister Grant Robertson about the government's $7 billion surplus.
On International Desk, Justin talks to University of Nice and l'École Polytechnique professor Vincent Martigny about former French President Jacques Chirac, who passed away at the end of last month.
Louis talks to Dr Lara Greaves of Auckland University about the potential low voter turnout at the local elections.
Jack Marshall talks to Dr Julienne Molineaux, the Director of the Policy Observatory, about online voting.
Neighbourhood Watch looks into Extinction Rebellion protests in Australia and the collaspe of White Ribbon Australia.
Justin talks to Vincent Martigny, a political science professor at the University of Nice and l'École Polytechnique in Paris, about the life and legacy of former French President Jacques Chirac, who passed away at the end of September. Chirac was the President of France between 1995 and 2007. He also served as the Mayor of Paris and the French Prime Minister.
The government has announced that there has been a surplus of 7.5 billion dollars - the biggest budget surplus in a decade, more than double forecasts. Justin talked to Finance Minister Grant Robertson to see what made up the surplus and how the government is going to spend it.
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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