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.
Yesterday morning a discussion document titled Te Koiroa O Te Koiora – Our shared vision for living with nature was launched, aiming to engage all New Zealanders in helping to shape Aotearoa’s biodiversity strategy for the next 30 years. The creation of the discussion document, which was led by the Department of Conservation outlines some key goals to be achieved by 2050. To find out more Olivia Holdsworth spoke to Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and began by asking how this discussion document differs from the current Our Chance to Turn the Tide biodiversity strategy.
This week on the Monday Wire, Jemima speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about the party's AGM and whether they are moving away from their left of centre political position. Southern Cross is back with the latest in Pacific news. Rahul talks to Terry Bellamak from ALRANZ about Justice Minister, Andrew Little's anouncement today that abortion will be removed from the Crimes Act. Finally, Jemima wraps it up with an interview with James Ranstead, the President of the New Zealand Union of Student's Associations about the governments reform of vocational education announcement.
Students are in support of the Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins' announcement on the Reform of Vocational Education as it is so far in line with the RoVE student wishlist. Jemima spoke to National President of the New Zealand Union of Student's Associations, James Ranstead about the announcement and why the reform is being met with such positivity by students.
Neutral corner returns for an examination of media coverage around recent tensions between Iran and the United Kingdom over shipping in the Gulf of Oman.
This day in history goes back to 1964 for the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which the United States would claim served as justification for direct military involvement in the conflict between North and South Vietnam.
Helen Kelly- Together is a film screening in this years New Zealand International Film Festival. Helen Kelly is perhaps best described as a unionist, and a friend. She was well known for her work with the Pike River Mine families, as well as fighting for justice for those who lost family members in workplace accidents. Later in her life, she also became an accidental advocate for medical cannabis. Director Tony Sutorious was given access to Helen in the last year of her life, as she continued to do the work most important to her as well as undergoing cancer treatment. Lillian Hanly spoke with Tony this morning and started by asking how he gained that access.
Justin talks to National MP Denise Lee about leader Simon Bridges' recent comments about the Prime Minister, the government's reforms of polytechnics and its bill on the cannabis referendum.
Lillian Hanly speaks with Helen Kelly- Together filmmaker Tony Sutorius about the last year of the unionist’s life.
On Neutral Corner, Ben is talking about the current situation with Iran in the Gulf of Oman.
In This Day in History Ben talks about the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in South Vietnam in 1964.
recently , it has been announced that further funding & research is going towards medical imaging research and innovation within neurology - a six million dollar development, waita, in tairawhiti gisborne is being made, its core focus of the Centre’s research will be traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion as well as cardiovascular heart disease.
Louis got in touch with Kelly Jones, a leading researcher & senior lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology specialising in the assessment of children & youth brain-development. She spoke about the severity of these injuries.
Also Steve Jenkins, of Brain Injury New Zealand, about the support they provide for those affected by brain injuries.
Tēna koutou katoa, good afternoon. You’re with the Thursday Wire. Coming up on the show today:
With protestors still on the land at Ihumatao - we talk the history of protesting in New Zealand. AUT’s Paul Moon chats to Deb.
Plus, bFM reporter Conor Knell is in the studio. He talks the status of same sex marriage and abortion rights in Northern Ireland.
After that, should people under the age of 18 get the vote? We speak to one of the campaign organisers of Make it 16.
Then, Neighbourhood Watch with our Australian correspondent Zoe.
& Finally, Louis will be talking with Doctor Kelly Jones of AUT University's Neuropsychology research department on traumatic brain injuries and concussions.
As peaceful protest continues at Ihumātao, Deb spoke to Professor Paul Moon, historian at AUT, about protest history in New Zealand, and where we might be headed from here.
Moon touched on treaty issues, similar protests in New Zealand's history, and how social media is changing the reach and access of protests.
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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