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.
Jennifer-Rose Tamati speaks with Holly Carrington from Shine on what the new Domestic Violence - Victims' Protection Bill means for victims of domestic violence and small businesses.
If you or anyone you know are suffering from domestic violence you can contact the Shine National Helpline: call free 0508 744 633 (9am to 11pm, 7 days a week) or visit their website.
The number of apprentices has been increasing in the last few years while university enrolment has stagnated, but is still not enough to meet the shortages in a number of industries. Lachlan spoke with Josh WIlliams, CEO of the Industry Training Federation about apprenticeships.
This week on Neutral Corner we look at the coverage of an upset victory for a left-wing candidate in the Democratic Primary for New York's 14th Congressional District.
First up on today’s Wire, Lachlan speak with Josh Williams, CEO of the Industry Training Federation about the rise in the number of apprentices. Neutral corner returns on the upset victory of a left wing candidate in the democratic primaries. Andrew LIttle joins LAchlan for their regular chat, this week discussing the sensible sentencing trust and a NZ First private member’s bill. Jemima speaks with Kylie Ryan about mental wellbeing for students. Finally, This Day in History is on the 2009 coup in Honduras.
You would have possibly seen in the news recently that Auckland has a number of buildings with the same type of cladding as that of the Grenfell Tower. This came out around the same time as the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Auckland Council had conducted their own investigations into the possible dangers of this cladding and their conclusion reads as follows:
Auckland Council has reviewed over 300 buildings which comprise of a mix of residential and commercial buildings (some of these involve sites with multiple buildings which we have also individually assessed).
All hospital buildings were included in the investigation regardless of height and some sites had multiple buildings.
The investigation found 116 buildings that appear to utilise ACP cladding to some extent. In some cases the cladding material possesses a modified FR (fire resistant) core, while far fewer cases have cladding with a combustible polyethylene core. The extent and use of ACP on the buildings varies considerably from the full façade, to decorative features only and, as noted above, many buildings examined did not contain ACP at all.
We haven’t identified any building that would be considered dangerous due to ACP cladding.
In many cases, the use of ACP is limited and the safety from fire of such buildings and their occupants is maintained by features such as sprinkler systems that reduce potential fire risks.
The buildings comprise a mix of residential and commercial, all are considered low risk.
Lillian Hanly spoke with Auckland Council Building Control general manager Ian McCormick to find out more about the council’s investigation and really understand the similarities between the cladding and the risks they are looking to mitigate.
On the show today, Allan Blackman takes us through the Right to Try law, super computer power and Koko the Gorilla today on Dear Science. Fletcher Tabuteau from NZ First steps in for a discussion on how it works now Winston Peters is Acting Prime Minister, and a mention of Trump's travel ban being upheld. Land and Water Forum spokesperson Dr. Hugh Logan speaks with Darashpreet Johal about the organisations advice to the government regarding increasing water quality. Lillian Hanly speaks with Ian McCormick from the Auckland Council about PE (combustible) cladding. Lastly, Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira speaks with Brenda Rawiri from the Auckland Museum about Matariki.
Guest reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira speaks with Brenda Rawiri from the Auckland Museum about their planned July Matariki celebrations, and the relevance of Matariki not only for Maori but all cultures in NZ.
This week State Housing Action Network sent a letter to the Board and senior managers of the Housing New Zealand Corporation calling for their resignation. Jemima spoke with John Minto, the Convenor of SHAN, about why this letter was sent and why there needs to be a "transformational culture change" in HNZC. Jemima began the interview by asking, what SHAN's letter to HNZC is all about.
Today we look at conflict minerals and how the materials used to make the electronics that power our lives are often sourced from rebel controlled mines in the Congo. The minerals are often mined by women and children forced at gunpoint to find these minerals. Conor explores the problems surrounding this supply chain and what we can do to stop 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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