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.
Recent statistical models are showing global temperatures will be remaining sky high until at least 2022. Greendesk reporter Jack Marshall had a chat with Professor James Renwick from Victoria University’s School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences. Professor Renwick gave us the lowdown on how these high temperatures will affect us, here and abroad, over the coming years.
Last week on August 15 teachers across New Zealand went on strike. They are calling for beter pay, better conditions and better incentives to attract new people to the teaching profession. Lillian spoke to Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, about the strike.
Jemima spoke with Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson about the Green Party annual general meeting held over the weekend. They discussed the party's new proposed changes to the Overseas Investment Act and their stance on the waka jumping bill.
Today on the Wire Jemima spoke to co-leader of the Green Party, Marama Davidson, about the Green Party AGM. The Southern Cross is back with their regular update on Asia Pacific news. Lillian talked to Minister of Eduction, Chris Hipkins, about the teachers strike last week. Bailley spoke to chief legal advisor to the Human Rights Commission, Janet Anderson-Bidois about people held in aged care facilities without their consent. Damian asked Geoff Simmons about his new position as leader of The Opportunities Party. Finally, Bailley talks to Minister of Immigration, Iain Lees-Galloway about Christchurch becoming a settling city for refugees.
A month ago it was announced that The Opportunities Party would not be running in the next election, essentially ending the party altogether as Gareth Morgan sent a request to cancel their electoral commission registration. However it was announced that the party will be reforming under new leadership. Producer Damian Rowe spoke to Geoff Simmons about his plans for the party
Christchurch will welcome refugees for settlement for the first time since the Christchurch Earthquake. Bailley speaks to Immigration Minister Ian Lees-Galloway on how the Government plans to ensure that refugees can succeed in New Zealand.
The Human Rights Commission has released a report on issues facing Dementia patients when put into care against their will. Bailley spoke to Janet Anderson-Bidois, Chief Legal Council of the Human Rights Commission in how to address human rights of aged care.
On the wire today: we speak with Te Roopu Nahinara National Party MP Amy Adams, on Simon Bridges expense leaks and the assisted dying bill that is being debated in parliament now.
Next, Producer, Stewart Sowman-Lund speaks with Ian Magan from the New Zealand Promoters Association, following the news that the Commerce Commission will be taking Viagogo to court over ticket resales.
Following that, we cross to Rachel McDonald to find out what is happening in Australian news, as a Senotor's maiden speach has been condemned by other politicians for being too racist.
After that, Laura Kvigstad speaks with senior lecturer, Bruce Cohen and dean of the faculty of arts, Robert Greenberg about course deletions in the school of social sciences at Auckland Uni.
And finally, Kelly Enright comes back to speak with Kitty Lin about the chinese vegan valentine's dinner and what it means to eat sustainably.
A new Senator’s maiden speech was so racist, Australia’s most prominent racist politician condemned it, the Australian government is tearing itself apart over a proposed energy plan, and the Australian bushfire season is here already, with out of control bushfires sparking around New South Wales this week.
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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