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.
The Ministry of Health has just released a report of the inquiry into mental health services and Mary-Margaret is giving us a quick update on what has been released. She also gives a report on more developments from parliament about bullying accusations. For this week’s Worry Week, Justin spoke to Steven Ratuva on the history of the militarisation of the Pacific. Ben discusses tourism fatigue and how we need to avoid it in NZ. On Greendesk, Ella talks to Jon Sulivan about an app named iNaturalist New Zealand
The theme of this week's Worry Week is the militarization of the Pacific. Justin spoke with Professor Steven Ratuva from the University of Canterbury on the history of the militarization of the Pacific, starting from the 1800s.
Is it time to get rid of cars from Auckland's inner city? It's an issue that nevet ceases to get people talking - and now, it's finally about to become a reality.
While Queen Street could be a while off, a trial next year will see increasing closures for vehicles on inner city Auckland streets for special events, to focus on pedestrians, with High Street top of the list. Chris Darby is the chair of the Planning Committee. He spoke to Stewart Sowman-Lund about what's in the pipeline for our biggest city.
On the Monday Wire Jemima speaks to the co-leader of the Green Party, James Shaw, about COP24, the most recent Colmar Brunton poll and global powers influencing the Pacific. Our Worry Week is militarisation of the Pacific and Damian speaks to Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley about Kiribati and Vanuatu joining Interpol. Stewart talks to the Chair if the Auckland Council's Planning Committee, Chris Darby, about plans to pedestrianise the CBD. Ella brings us Under the Weather where she discusses declining insect numbers and beaching whales. Finally, Stewart chats to Alice Snedden about her show "Work Do" and about working in the arts as a woman.
It's the Christmas season, which means it's time for another Basement Theatre Christmas Show! The annual festive tradition is in its 10th year, with this year's show written by acclaimed Kiwi comics Alice Snedden and Rose Matafeo. Centred around a travel agency in the late 1990s, 'Work Do' is outrageous, hilarious and a must see.
Stewart Sowman-Lund spoke with Alice Snedden about the show, writing for theatre, working with Rose and what more needs to be done to support women in the arts.
Sam Smith of Radio Adelaide joins us again on our airwaves. This week she discusses with Laura the decision of Julia Banks to leave the Liberal Party and go independent, the devastating Queensland fires and the many promises of Andrew Daniels, leader of the Labour Party which just won the Victorian election.
This week Laura Kvigstad found herself in a debate around condom use in porn. It is fairly rare that you see condoms being used in heterosexual porn and producer Jennifer Rose Tamati pointed out that it’s often used as a plot device in the way of being a barrier for 'good sex'.
Porn seems to have an effect on the way people have sex but our question today is 'how'?
A new charitable trust in New Zealand, The Light Project, was set up in order to help educate youth in navigating the world of porn. The Project Director for the organization, Nikki Denholm tells us all about the research around porn and the effect it has on young people watching it.
A food labelling bill from the Green Party has passed almost unanimously in parliament this week which will see a mandatory labelling for a foods country orgin when it's sold in New Zealand. Producer Ben Webber reached out to Consumer New Zealand’s Head of Research, Jessica Wilson for comment about this recent decision.
This day in history goes back to 1945 for the official proclamation that the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was to be dissolved, and replaced by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
First up on the Wire, we look at prisoner voting rights with Green MP Golriz Ghahraman and Tania Sawicki mean from JustSpeak. Andrew LIttle joins Lachlan for their regular chat, this week discussing the Green Party’s calls for the ban on prisoner voting to be lifted and Facebook and fake news. Oscar isn’t with us in studio but has left us with an interview speaking with Sabrina Puia from 312 HUB about their organisation. Finally This Day in History looks at the proclamation of the Yugoslavian Federal Republic in 1945.
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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