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.
Producer, Laura, talks with author of the new book, Come Back To Bed, Robert Tennent. Come Back To Bed is an intimate portrayal of what it looks like to recover from sexual trauma and Tennent talks about the hurdles he has faced in his journey.
Kelly talks to Dr Ramzy Baroud, an internationally renowned journalist and author specialising in the conflict between Israel and Palestine surrounding the Gaza strip. Baroud talks us through the specifics of the conflict that has escalated over the last few days following the opening of a U.S embassy in Jerusalem, and his new book the 'The Last Earth'.
A New University held a rally today at the University of Auckland, calling for greater investment in the university and democratisation of its management. Lachlan spoke with Nathalie Jaques and Shannon Walsh, organisers behind the project, about A New University and the rally.
This week it was reported that the wait list for state housing in New Zealand has increased dramatically. There are 8000 families on the waitlist and 2000 others wanting to different state houses. Producer, Jemima spoke to Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford about this issue. They also discussed the Government's recent announcement that the maximum price for Kiwibuild homes has increased by $50,000.
First, Lachlan speaks with Nathalie Jaques and Shannon Walsh from A New university about their rally and we have a special live cross to the event. Neutral corner focuses on the recents shooting of Palestinian protesters by the IDF. Jemima speaks with AAAP’s Ricardo Menendez March about the state housing waiting list and Phil Twyford about the rising cost of kiwibuild homes. Andrew Little joins Lachlan for their weekly chat where we discuss the hikoi on Parliament and the Human Rights commission review. Finally, This Day in History returns where Ben takes us through the shootout between several members of the Symbionese liberation army and the L.A.P.D. in 1974.
Recent research claims the link between poverty and a child's mental health is unarguable, with children from disadvantaged homes more likely to need anti-psychotic drugs. The study was conducted at the University of Adelaide using data from the Longitudinal study of Australian Children. The findings indicate that a large proportion of children from disadvantaged families are placed on anti-psychotic medicine.
Wire producer Darashpreet Johal, spoke to Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft to find out whether this is the case for New Zealand.
Allan Blackman from AUT talks to us about science in the justice system and water on one of Jupiter's moons.
Stuart McCutcheon speaks to us about the closing of the creative arts libraries at The University of Auckland.
Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft discusses research showing the high number of children from disadvantaged homes being prescribed anti-psychotic medication.
Jenny Marcroft from NZ First is taking over the weekly segment from Tracey Martin and spends some time introducing herself to us.
Stuart McCutcheon, Vice Chancellor of The University of Auckland, speaks with Lucy Austin about the direction of the university and the recent controversy surrounding the closure of the Creative Arts libraries:
In light of recent events such as the library closures and funding to arts being repeatedly cut I thought it was important to have a chat with the man in charge himself, Vice Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon. The most significant criticism has been a lack of communication with both students and staff. With bFM being the university radio station it seemed the perfect platform to open up this dialogue and get to know the Vice Chancellor a bit better. This is part of a two part series, the second half focuses on the library closures and construction work. Lucy Austin started the interview by asking Stuart to share a little bit about how he came to his role.
Conor talks about how more Chinese students are travelling to Macau to learn Portuguese and take advantage of China’s new trade links with the Portuguese speaking world. We delve into the history of the territory’s unique culture and how it will help China’s trade into the future.
Auckland Peace Action spokesperson, Valerie Morse, spoke with bFM reporter Oscar Perress and expanded on the past, present and future of the Israel-Palestine conflict, its international implications, and New Zealand's role in it all.
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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