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.
95bFM reporter Conor Knell spent some time in Northern Ireland earlier this year. He's in the studio with Stewart Sowman-Lund talking about the status of same sex marriage and abortion in Northern Ireland.
A campaign is underway to give 16 year olds the vote. The Make it 16 campaign is calling for democratic change, on the basis that those aged 16 have many other rights… so why not voting? Luke Wijohn is one of the campaign’s organisers, and joined host Stewart Sowman-Lund to talk about the issue.
Tuwhenuaroa spoke to Donna Kerridge, a modern day practitioner of the ancient Māori healing methodology of Rongoa Maori about its application in New Zealand today.
Tensions between Hong kong and China continue over the protests against the extradition bill, and for universal suffrage. Students at the University of Auckland received an email last night from Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon that investigations are underway concerning the fight between three chinese men and a pro-Hong Kong student on Monday. Sherry and Tuwhenuaroa talk on the recent updates in Hong Kong, the significance of white and black t-shirts, and the divisive opnions from pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong and CCP supporters in Mainland China. We also talk to 95bfm reporter Justin who witnessed the altercation.
Hands off our Tamariki, the organisation who have been calling for a halt to the removal of Māori children from their whānau, held a rally at Parliament yesterday afternoon. This was to present their letter to MPs with their demands, some of which are:
-to affirm tino rangatiratanga and the right of Māori to make decisions and control the wellbeing of tamariki and mokopuna
-that the current system overseen by the Ministry of Children be overhauled restructured in line with Kaupapa Māori and strengths based approaches that ensure tamariki remain connected to their whānau.
The rally was opened by Dame Tariana Turia and other speakers included Paora Moyle an advocate for those who have been in state care, law lecturer Khylee Quince, kaumātua Des Ratima who was present at the attempted uplift of the baby in Hawkes Bay filmed by Newsroom, and midwife Jean Te Huia who was also present at that uplift. Laura O’Connell Rapira of Action Station was one of the organisers of the rally and spoke to reporter William Boyd immediately after the event. Will started by asking how the rally went.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we talk about drug-resistant HIV, warm and cold periods in the preindustrial Common Era and poo transplants
The Hands off Our Tamariki rally went ahead yesterday, reporter Will Boyd speaks to Laura O’Connell Rapira who helped organise the rally.
Sherry speaks to writer and director of the play Pinay which deals with issues of migration and assimilation in a town like Christchurch, and how kapahaka and Te Reo Māori helped to connect with the migrant identity.
Tuwhenuaroa speaks to Donna Kerridge about Rongoa Māori in New Zealand, and its significance within Maoridom.
Sherry talks to writer and actor Marianne Infante and director James Roque on their new theatre show Pinay on being the 1.5 generation, migration and assimilation in a town like Christchurch, and how kapa haka and learning Te Reo helped Marianne connect to her identity as a migrant.
Justin talks about the death of Li Peng, the premier of China between 1989-1998. He was known as the "Butcher of Beijing", given his role during the crackdown of the Tiananmen Square protests on June 4th 1989.
First up Olivia Holdsworth talk to Rihi Te Nana about the Hands Off Our Tamariki protest happening outside Parliament today.
This week for Green Desk Mitch chats to Auckland Forest and Bird spokesperson Nick Beveridge about the NZTAs proposed East West Link.
Next, for Board Games Oscar Perress talks to City Vision’s Alexandra Bonham and Graeme Gunthorp about their candidacy for the upcoming local body elections.
And finally for The International Desk Justin Wong talks to us about the death of former Chinese Premier Li Peng.
Today we had the privilige of being joined by City Vision Waitematā Local Board candidates Graeme Gunthorp and Alexandra Bonham. We discuss what the roles they are trying for mean to them as well as their general thoughts on a few intricacies of local government.
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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