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.
Olivia Holdsworth chats with University of Otago professor of peace studies Kevin Clements on gun control laws and history.
Grace Watson speaks with Sean Robinson, the chief executive Mental Health Foundation after their announcement that extremism cannot be categorised as a mental illness.
Harry Willis talks to 95bFM european correspondent Justin Wong from Paris on Brexit developments.
Harry Willis speaks with artist Aries Katki on the Persian New year Nowruz, and on minority treatment and racism in New Zealand.
Maddison Matthews speak with Ikhlaq Kashkari, the president of the NZ Muslim Association on the reopening of four Auckland mosques tomorrow evening.
Media coverage of the Christchurch terror attacks has seen some speculation around the gunman's mental health. Chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, Shaun Robinson, speaks to Grace about how mental health and extremism are not connected. They also discuss how equating mental health with extremism and terrorism effects those with mental health issues in New Zealand.
In the wake of the Christchurch terror attack, New Zealand is looking to make rapid changes to its gun laws. Today we take a look at how our laws currently stand and how gun laws are only one aspect to preventing an atrocity like this happening again. Olivia Holdsworth spoke to Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago Kevin Clement and began by asking about historical pushes for gun law reform and why these suggestions were never ratified.
Harry sat down for a chat with artist Areez Katki about the Persian new year Nowruz, the history and tradtitions of the celebration and the countries that fall under the once Persian Empire. They then talk discrimination of minorities in New Zealand following the Christchurch terror attacks
Harry chats to European correspondant Justin Wong from Paris on this week's developments on the extension of Article 50 Brexit and European Leader's reaction to the Christchurch terror attack.
Sherry Zhang talks to Haya Khan, president of the South Asia Law students Assocation, on a temporary prayer space set up at Auckland university campus. Haya explains the importance of Jumu’ah or friday prayers for people who are unfamiliar with Islam. Sherry started by asking if Haya had anything she wanted to say about the Christshurch terrorist attacks and the past days, or how she’s feeling.
Iqra Khan is also a member of the Executive team in the South East Asian Law Students Association. Iqra reached out to Sherry specifically to talk about calling out hate speech. When Sherry asked why she specifically chose this topic, you can hear Sherry's shock when Iqra said she was one of the Muslim sisters who were racially abused at Mount Albert train station just days after the Christchurch terrorist shooting. She and her sister were very shaken after a drunk man approached them and started yelling abuse at them. Iqra told the Herald that her sister and her considered not wearing their headscarves in public, and wanted to yell back but was afraid of triggering him given the events in Christchurch. Today, Iqra spoke of the legislative changes she wants to see in protecting minorities from hate speech, and on education about diversity in schools. Both Iqra and Haya believe Hate speech directly contributes to acts of extreme violence in Christchurch. They also messaged just before the show to add that there are parallels with the Islamophobic memes we see today to caricatures of Jewish people before the Holocaust in they way they dehumanise people and reinforce harmful ideologies. Iqra says ”Hate speech contributes to dehumanisation, and ends with our murder being only reported in a number.”
Anis Rifhan is an international student at the University of Auckland Law school. Anis reached out to Sherry Zhang to speak on the best way to support the Muslim community at this time, and her views on the media portrayal of the Christchurch terrorist attack in New Zealand and overseas. NOTE: Sherry and Anis have been friends since they debated together last year, and half way through the interview they got a little off topic on making plans to check in with each other. Anis encourages everyone to have more conversations, and to support each other.
"As you will be very aware, a terror attack was carried out on Friday last week in Christchurch by a self proclaimed white supremacist. Mass shootings occurred at two mosques within five kilometres of each other. First, 42 people were killed at Masjid Al Noor. 7 more were killed at the Linwood Islamic centre. The death toll was raised to 50 as one person who was injured died later in Christchurch Hospital. 50 people were injured and 36 of those remain in hospital, some in critical conditions. The Prime Minister called this one of our darkest days. The Muslim community is in mourning, many too are angry that their voices weren’t heard when they said, many times, that threats against them existed, that they were indeed increasing. The government has declared NZ’s gun laws will change. Investigations are underway, an inquiry has been called for. The accused is in custody with one charge of murder, more will follow. NZ is grappling with just how to deal with what has happened. Funerals, delayed due to protocols around murder investigations, are finally underway today.
Preparing for work on Monday morning this week meant I had to indicate to the news team just how we would be covering the attacks this week and in ongoing weeks. What we set out to do is create a space where Muslim voices are heard at this time to express any thoughts or feelings being had. And a reflection is had on why those Muslim voices weren’t platformed as they should be. If you are from this community, or know someone who is and wants to speak to us, please get in touch and let us know.
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A couple of things before we finish, firstly if you need to speak to someone remember there is the text or call line available anytime on 1737. Also, we had Jonno ring in asking whether we should start a petition to get NZ troops out of the Middle East. Something else to think about. Also mosques around Auckland are opening their doors this Friday night for people of all faiths together in remembrance for the lives lost in the shootings. Auckland Council is working with the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ and New Zealand Muslim Association to promote these events. So the Ponsonby Masjid, Ranui Mosque, North Shore Islamic Centre and Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq in Pakuranga will be opened on Friday. There is also a vigil being held by the Migrants Against Racism and Xenophobia group in the Auckland Domain from 6pm. And Love Aotearoa Hate Racism are holding an anti-racist protest on Sunday at 2pm in Aotea Square.
Please remember we are in a time of mourning, that time is now. Soon, the time will be to take action. Please think about your actions this week and how they impact on others. How our actions as a country collectively contributed to this attack. Or, perhaps how our lack of action was the real issue. Think about the people around you. Think about the people who aren’t immediately around you. The different communities, the different peoples that make up the world around you, who you may have no interaction with. Think about reaching out. Try saying, kia ora, or malo, or nihao, or namaste. Or salaam at this time." - Lillian Hanly
On the show today,
On Dear Science today with AUT’s Allan Blackman we have a new neighbour in space, missing a meteor explosion over earth, and apparently we may have a subconscious magnetic sense.
Haya Khan, president of the South Asian Law Students Association, tells us about a temporary prayer space set up at law school, and also walks us through the Islamic relationship to the mosque and the importance of Friday prayer.
Anis Rifhan is a Muslim student here at uni and spoke to us about what people can do to support the community right now.
Iqra Khan spoke to us about hate speech and what needs to happen to end 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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