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.
Tamaki Makaurau is due for another local election, this year it will be taking place on the 8th of October. Believe it or not, that’s only in a few months. The nomination period is now open, with 170 roles being contested. Aside from the mayoral race, 20 councillors will be elected to represent the 13 supercity wards. A further 149 local representatives will be elected across the boards. But will the locals take part? Auckland has a reputation, like many cities across New Zealand, to cut it a little fine when it comes to the locals vote. Louis spoke with Auckland Councils very own General Manager, Marguerite Delbet, who is behind the services of democracy when it comes to the Supercities local election. Here we are, talking about what is happening with the nominations.
The full show podcast for July 18th, 2019. First, National Party Member, Denise Lee, joins us to discuss governments clean vehicle initiative and why National isn't on board with the idea.
Then, for poll position we discuss the question "do you support a transition to electric vehicles?", where the boys get distracted by an arbortist working next to the studio.
After that, Louis Laws speaks to Auckland Councils General Manager of Democratic Services, Marguerite Delbet about the local election happening in October.
Next, Climate Justice Taranaki spokesperson Urs Signer, tells us about the new oil drilling that has commenced off the Taranaki coast. Unfortunately we had to fade out early on his interview but it is podcast in full if you'd like to jump over here.
Finally, Ben Goldson caps off the show with This Day In History where he talks about Northern Ireland's ceasefire in 1997.
New drilling has commenced off the Taranaki coast, coming after government decision to not allow any new drilling permits. Climate Justice Taranaki Spokesperson Urs Signer joins us to tell us what is happening with the new rigg and what action they're taking against this.
For a second installment of Board Games this week, we talk to our new regular, Tracy Mulholland of the Whau Local Board. We discuss what effective contribution is, how we can make sure local body politicians are doing their jobs as well as a swift update on what is happening in the Whau. Tune in to find out more.
This week on The Wire, Gautami spoke to Dr Campbell Jones , a researcher from Economic and Social Research Aotearoa and who is also a Professor of Sociology here at the University of Auckland. He talked about the state of housing in New Zealand and the initiatives young people can take to get into the property market.
The full show podcast for the July 18th edition of the Thursday Wire.
And a full show it is indeed.
For a second installment of Board Games this week, we talk to our new regular, Tracy Mulholland of the Whau Local Board. We discuss what effective contribution is, how we can make sure local body politicians are doing their jobs as well as a swift update on what is happening in the Whau. Tune in to find out more.
Gautami spoke to Dr Campbell Jones , a researcher from Economic and Social Research Aotearoa and who is also a Professor of Sociology here at the University of Auckland. He talked about the state of housing in New Zealand and the initiatives young people can take to get into the property market.
We are also joined by Radio Adelaide's Zoe Kounadis to discuss the week in Australian News. This week we discuss the yet again proposed closure of Uluru to climbers, as well as the Raise the Rate campaign looking to raise benefits and reform the Australian Newstart system.
And finally, Andrew Little joins us again this week just as he is about to step aboard an aeroplane. Lillian Hanly speaks to him about the Crime Fund, Drones and road safety changes. Minister Little is however heading to Whangarei tomorrow to visit the District Court, so Lillian starts by asking what such a visit involves.
Thank you to all who made this show happen, the people who spoke to us and of course, you, the listener.
As part of Sherry’s investigation into New Zealand’s process with Waste Management, she spoke with Derek Lander from Flight Plastics, one of New Zealand’s only PET recycling plants. Currently, type one PET, clear soft drink bottles, and type 2 HDPE, milk bottles, are recycled domestically. The other 5 types of plastics, including mixed, are sent off shore to be processed. However with the tightening of China's and South East Asian countries intake of offshore waste, active solutions for domestic waste management is all the more pressing. Sherry begins by asking Derek about the organisation Flight Plastics and how PET plastic is recycled.
Plastic recycling is only one of the solutions to reducing the environmental impact of waste. While Sherry was looking into solutions to recycling other forms of plastic, she stumbled upon the Taranaki road and Northland fence posts made from recycled plastic. And while these are exciting developments, the question remains on the effect of micro plastics as these products breakdown...
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines that allow male-to-female transgender athletes to compete in the women’s category at the elite level has raised significant debate since being introduced in 2015. Today I spoke to bio-ethicists from the University of Otago, Dr. Taryn Knox, Associate Professor Lynley Anderson and Professor Alison Heather about some research they conducted around the topic. Dr. Knox and Associate Professor Anderson gave some context, while Professor Heather spoke on the science of the research. Admittedly, I have very little knowledge about transgender athletes and indeed, transgender issues in general which is why I felt compelled to conduct this interview in an atempt to find out more. However, when talking to the researchers it became apparent that they could not comment on the social implications their research might have. For this reason, I have cut much of the content simply because keeping it in would add little to the conversation. Two separate interviews were conducted on two separate phone calls, which is why there may be some overlap in relation to the questions I asked. Stay tuned for a follow up on this topic in the following weeks, because the interview primarily explores the science behind transgender athletes, but does not address the issue of identity adequately enough.
Hands Off our Tamariki is a group who has called for a halt to the removal of tamariki Māori from whānau Māori at the hands of the state. Following the release of the Newsroom investigative documentary showing an attempted uplift by Oranga Tamariki of a near newborn baby from their mother in a Hawkes Bay hospital, this longstanding issue has come to the forefront of public scrutiny. The investigation looked at the procedure of the uplift and asked whether this was the best possible process of taking a child. Since the investigation was published, a number of inquiries into Oranga Tamariki’s processes have been called, and the public has condemned the actions of the Ministry formerly known as Child Youth and Family. Over the weekend, Whānau Ora called a hui for Māori to meet and decide on the terms of reference for a Māori led inquiry into Oranga Tamariki. Rihi Te Nana is a community researcher with a background in counselling, therapy and working with whānau. Rihi is also one of the organisers for Hands Off our Tamariki and was representing the Hands Off our Tamariki group at the hui along with Paora Crawford Moyle. Lillian spoke with Rihi about the wider implications of state intervention in Māori whānau, and started by asking what this hui was about.
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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