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.
Conor speaks with Tania Sawicki Mead from justspeak about the proposed mega prison in Waikeria.
Mark yarns to Kim Meredith Jones about physical activity on toddlers and how it affects obesity later on in life.
Leonard talks to Sophie Rice from the Tear Fund Charity about live below the line, a campaign looking at the 767 million people living in poverty and how we can help.
On the Green Desk, Jack chats with Holly Dove from the Kiwi Bottle Drive about introducing a bottle deposit system in New Zealand.
Finally we collaberate to discuss the increase to the minimum wage. Firstly Leonard speaks with ACT leader and close friend of bFM David Seymour, following that Conor be interviews with Richard Wagstaff live on air, President of the Council of Trade Unions.
First up on today's Wire, Jemima discusses changes to the Privacy Act and facebook with Privacy Commissioner John Edwards. Neutral Corner returns where Ben looks at US imposing tariffs. Dr Liam Martin from Victoria University discusses double bunking and prisons in Aotearoa with Lachlan. Andrew Little joins us for our weekly chat where we discuss changes to the Cirmes Act, double bunking, and the expungement of convictions for historic homosexual offences. Finally, this day in history looks at the withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam in 1973.
The Chief Ombudsmen has slammed conditions in Arohata upper Prison after an inspection last year. One of the main criticisms was plan to double bunk, meaning the cells would house two prisoners instead of one, due to the prison not being able to cope with the growing prison population. Lachlan spoke to Victoria university lecturer Dr Liam Martin about the prison, and prison conditions in Aotearoa more generally.
After Trump's move to impose tariffs on certain imports, this week's Neutral Corner contrasts the coverage given by Voice of America, established World War Two, with its more recent counterpart, China Global Television Network.
This Day in History takes us back to 1973, for the first official deployment of US troops to the Vietnam War, to expand on their existing support for the government of South Vietnam.
Kiera Ladner, a lecturer from the University of Manitoba on Great Turtle Island, and her students Marcus, Kenzie, Eric and Dane talk to us about their meme based participation assessment as part of an Indigenous Governance class.
Devonport's Transfer Station at their Recycling Centre had to shut down one Friday in March, after someone illegally dumped asbestos. This was the second time someone managed to get asbestos past inspection, so Mary-Margaret spoke to the Centre's managing director to ask how thorough the process is.
The NZCTU says major structural changes to the economy have left workers out of pocket, $11,500 dollars to be exact. Reuben McLaren speaks to NZCTU economist Bill Rosenberg to find out more.
Jemima spoke with National Party leader Simon Bridges to get the opposition's point of view on some political issues in the news this week. They talked about the National Party reshuffle, parliamentary question time and the Labour Party talks about the end of oil exploration.
Up first on this week's Wire, Jemima chats to National party leader Simon Bridges about a number of issues including parliamentary questions and oil exploration. Then, Ben brings us neutral corner on Trump organisations being subpoenaed. Andrew LIttle joins Lachlan for their weekly chat and this week they discuss Waikeria prison, the year and a day rule and his trip to Switzerland to attend the Human Rights Council. Our Wire Worry week returns and this week we’re looking at smoking. Jemima discusses vaping and whether it is the new smoking with Massey Lecturer Dr. Penny Truman. Finally This Day in History looks at Ethiopia becoming a republic in 1975.
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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