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.
Last night National Party MP, Amy Adams, announced her candidacy for the National Party leadership race. Jemima spoke to Adams about why she chose to stand, what her opinion is on women in politics at the moment and what chances she thinks the National Party has of winning the election in 2020.
We speak to politics expert Dr Bryce Edwards about the National Party leadership contest, as well as one of the candidates, MP Amy Adams. There's also Justice Minister Andrew Little and Child Poverty Action Group economist Susan St John. Finally we have This Day in History, which takes us back to 1989.
What does a Treaty Partnership look like in the context of the University of Auckland? A conversation with Mohi Allen, one of the leaders of the Māori Students Association, and Professor David Williams of the law school.
On todays Wire show we have an entertaining Dear Science segment talking about a link between asparagus and cancer, the measurement of 'Mole', and the year of the periodic table. Lillian talks to Tracey Martin about nationals change in leadership. Producer Reuben Mclaren talks to SCOOP editor about the recent stock market crash. Lillian also investigates The Treaty of Waitangi and its role at the University of Auckland, and Lisa Boudet covers the upcoming Auckland Fringe festival. Lots of things happen in todays show, lots of people contribute to our stories and Dear Science is awesome as per usual. Tune in people.
Producer Leonard Powell caught up with Alison Reid, co-founder of the Cross Street Markets. Alison discusses how the markets came to be, what you can expect at them, and also her view on the changing dynamic of Karangahape Road.
Housing Minister Phil Twyford has revealed the findings of his housing stock report. The report revealed New Zealand's housing and homelessness issues are worse than first feared with a shortage of emergency housing and a lack of affordable housing two of the main concerns. Reporter Sam Smith discusses the findings of the report and what needs to be done in response.
The new government has launched a royal commission into the treatment of children in state care from 1950 to the end of 1999. Andrew Eruiti, an academic at the University of Auckland’s law school, is part of a group of law academics getting involved in this investigation with the aim of ensuring victims, including maori and disabled groups, are adequately compensated. Lillian Hanly talked to Andrew and started by asking why a group of academics have called for an inquiry.
Terry Baucher is the director of Baucher Consulting Limited, a specialist tax consultancy. Late last year he published an article on cryptocurrencies and the need for tax reform in relation to them. Before asking how we could tax cryptocurrencies, Mary-Margaret started by getting Terry to explain the basics of cryptocurrencies.
Joel Thomas hosts The Wire with Mary-Margaret Slack, and Sam Smith this Monday in which:
Lillian Hanly talks to Auckland Uni law professor Andrew Eruiti about the royal commission into the treatment of children in state care.
Joel talks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about his time in Waitangi and the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation on the 2023 census.
Sam Smith runs through his findings of the newly released housing stocktake report ordered by the Government.
And Mary-Margaret Slack talks to tax consultant Terry Baucher about the taxing of cryptocurrencies.
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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