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.
This Day in History takes us back to 1975, for the official declaration by the armed group which had overthrown the monarchy a year ago, that Ethiopia was now a Republic.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we talk about Stephen Hawking, platypus milk, and "unlearning".
We have a story about a Ngā Tapuwae haka that went viral on the internet toward the end of last year about the way the students felt about the misrepresentation of south auckland, Lillian Hanly spoke with Hamuera Kotuku Maika who composed it.
Wire Worry Week is back and we’re looking into how the government wants us to be Smokefree by 2025. Lisa Boudet has looked into anti-smoking campaigns and whether they are efficient and Leah Garcia-Purves looks at the cost of quitting.
Lillian Hanly recently came across a haka by Te Kura Maori o Nga Tapuwae that went viral on Facebook at the end of last year. The meaning behind it, and the lyrics, were a challenge from the students about the way South Auckland is portrayed in popular discourse and in the media. Hamuera Kotuku Maika works at the high school in Mangere East and Lillian spoke with him to find out more.
The Hikurangi Group is made up of a charitable trust and a charitable group that is owned by the trust. the company is an enabling tool to get different projects off the ground. There is an investment company that works as a mechanism for its people and supporters. Hikurangi Enterprises is one of those leveraging tools and can partner with other entities such as whanau based companies or external stakeholders to the local area in order to bring a project to life. Panapa Ehau is an executive director of the group and spoke recently at Splore about the Hikurangi Cannabis Company, a medical cannabis venture based in Ruatoria. Lillian Hanly caught up with Panapa afterwards and started by asking how the Hikurangi Group came about
New Zealand's workplaces have high rates of bullying. Recent law reform now enables workers to file bullying as a grievance to the Employment Relations Authority. CultureSafe is an independent organisation that victims can reach out to, Mary-Margaret spoke to their director about what this reform means.
News Director Lillian Hanly talks about the implications of an Australian breakfast show that involved discussion of a second stolen generation. She then speaks to Grandmothers Against Removal about the effects of the removal of Aboriginal children in Australia.
With the news media focussing on sexual violence stories currently, Jemima spoke to HELP's executive director Kathryn McPhillips. They discussed the media's portrayal of sexual violence and what changes need to be made in New Zealand on this issue. HELP is Auckland's specialist provider of support for sexual abuse and assault survivors.
A recent study into meth use found meth is easier to buy than cannabis in many parts of Aotearoa. Lachlan spoke with the study's author Professor Christ Wilkins about the availability of meth and why it is so easy to get.
On this week's Wire, Jemima discusses the media focus on sexual violence with HELP’s Executive Director Kathryn McPhillips. Then Ben brings us an all new segment on the alleged poisoning of a former Russian spy. Andrew Little joins Lachlan for their weekly chat where they discuss the Ngati Rangi settlement and how sexual violence is treated in the criminal justice system. Then professor Chris WIlkins Joins Lachlan to discuss the availability of meth in Aotearoa. Finally, Ben brings us this day in history on the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
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
95bFM 
