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.
Former bFM newsteamers Mandus Örarbäck and Caitlin McIlhagga (now General Manager) report on the decision to declare Ihumātao a Special Housing Area.
Given the escalation following the serving of an eviction notice one month ago, we thought we'd repost the first piece 95bFM News ever did on the issue.
Justin talks about the current political crisis in Italy, after Giuseppe Conte resigned as Prime Minister, and how Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League party played a part in this.
Massey University’s Healthy Work Group released a study this week looking into workplace wellbeing, through what they call a Workplace Barometer to analyse the psycho-social safety climate of participating organisations.
Deb spoke to associate head of the school of management at Massey University, and co-author of the study Bevan Catley, about what a psycho-social safety climate is, and how well we’re doing dealing with mental health in the workplace.
Another packed Thursday Wire, with host Stewart Sowman-Lund and producer Justin.
This week:
The Herald’s Simon Wilson breaks down a fiery debate last night between the two most viable Auckland mayoral candidates - Phil Goff and John Tamihere.
After that, we go live to bFM reporter Tu who is at a hikoi by Ihumatao protestors, heading for Jacinda Ardern’s Auckland office.
Then, Andrew Little chats to Stewart for his weekly segment. This week, a new Bill will allow bars to be open late for the Rugby World Cup. But should more be done?
After that - Justin discusses the Italian political crisis.
And finally, a piece by our regular reporter Deb, looking into workplace wellbeing.
All that plus Poll Position and a whole heap more - it's The Thursday Wire!
A hikoi from Ihumatao is making its way through Auckland, to Jacinda Ardern’s Mount Albert office. They're hand delivering a petition of over 20,000 signatures, calling on the Prime Minister to visit the site. Our reporter Tu was there, the pouring rain, and spoke to Stewart Sowman-Lund live.
This morning the government announced a discussion document on a new approach to urban planning. Announced by the Minister for Urban Development and the Minister for the Environment, the document hopes to provide a means to change planning rules, and free up overly restrictive legislation. Minister for Urban Development Phil Twyford said in the release, "our cities are failing", and "poor quality planning is stopping our cities from growing". The document proposes a National Policy Statement on Urban Development that would direct councils to free up planning rules while focusing on high quality streets, neighbourhoods and communities. Lillian Hanly spoke with Twyford following the announcement to find out more about the changes.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we talk about a new form of carbon, the PCR inventor, and subaquatic spiders.
Minister for Urban Development Phil Twyford speaks to Lillian about the new announcement regarding a new approach to urban planning to allow city growth.
Sherry speaks to barrister Marie Dyhrberg and People Against Prison’s Emilie Rākete on prisoner’s rights to sending mail amid discussions in Cabinet for law changes following the Christchurch Terror Attacks.
And Tuwhenuaroa speaks with NZTech Chief Executive Graeme Muller about the economic benefits the interactive media sector may have for New Zealand.
Cabinet ministers are discussing changes to the Correction Act, on what mail can be sent and received by Prisoners. This comes after Corrections MInister Kelvin Davis reveals the alleged shooter of the Christchurch terror attacks sent five letters to people’s unidentified by Corrections. The letter was sent to a supporter in Russia, which was then posted on the website 4chan, popular with the alt-right, and white supremacists.
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden says discussions included whether the current law takes into account mail being published to a wider audience or captures broad hate speech. However corrections chief executive Christine stevenson has accepted its staff could have withheld those letters under current law.
Sherry spoke to barrister Marie Dyhrberg and People Against Prison Aotearoa’s Emilie Rakete on whether the current legislation is sufficient in stopping abusive, threatening content and hate speech being sent from prisons.
Olivia Holdsworth and Oscar Perress talk to Housing First Programme Manager Fiona Hamilton and Public Service Association national secretary Glenn Barclay about the new measures to prevent homelessness being introduced by the government.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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
With the rise of fast fashion outlets like Shein and Temu alongside the wider mainstream options available that contribute substantial amounts of clothing waste to landfill, experts are calling for an urgent response on a governance, business, and individual level.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Mindful Fashion Chief Executive Jacinta Fitzgerald about the problem, and the industry response to sustainability, as well as University of Auckland Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the importance of ethical consumption.for individuals.
First, is the interview with Fitzgerald, where she begins by talking about the organisation Mindful Fashion.
Following this, Sara spoke to Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the research he has undertaken around consumerism.
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