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.
India speaks to Charlotte Graham, a New Zealand journalist who has analysed the sexism that pervades the feedback women who work in broadcasting have to deal with, both online or as texts coming into their studio.
She then speaks to Lillian, Jogai, Lisa and Laura from the bFM news team about their response to the research and whether this is something that has affected them, or their perception of a career in journalism.
Today on on The Wire, Mack has a report on a peace protest in Wellington, Lucy looks at MMP and some of the misconceptions around it. On The Green Desk, Jack Marshall looks at how climate change is hurting baby crocodiles. Finally, we speak to Charlotte Graham about her research into the gendered harassment of women broadcasters, and news team members Jogai and Lillian join us for a chat about this topic.
Lucy investigates how well we actually understand our political system and is joined by political commentator David Slack to discuss the ins and outs of MMP.
A recent study has taken place looking at bacteria in space. Bacteria from earth can be potentially harmful to other planets, and the climate within space stations themselves. When astronauts start their travels, they bring a certain amount of bacteria into space stations where it has a unique environment to grow. Reporter Jack Marshal talked to Astro-Biologist Petra Shweta about her studies on this.
“Goodbye twitter haters,” claimed Reporter Duncan Garner. This was in response to the backlash he faced after releasing an article for Stuff. In his article he complained about a "human snake" of a line at Kmart, saying he could have been anywhere in South-East Asia. He went on to use this as evidence to reduce immigration, saying he wants to have a discussion around infrastructure in regards to growing immigration numbers. This sparked controversy on social media which caused him to delete his Twitter account.
A panel discussion was held on these events by host Joel Thomas, producer Sam Smith, News Director Lillian Hanly, Aaryn Marsh Niuapu of Racial Equity Aotearoa, and University of Auckland Film Television and Media Professor Neal Curtis.
A recent report has shown that university enrolments have reached their lowest point in a decade. This is partially due to a higher coast of living, less support for older students, and a change in the value placed on tertiary education.
Producer Leonard Powell got comments from a few people around The University of Auckland about all things tertiary, while Host Joel Thomas spoke with NZ Union of Students Association President Jonathan Gee about his thoughts on the issue.
On The Wire for Monday the 9th of October, Joel Thomas is joined with Producers Sam, Jack, and Leonard.
Jack Marshal had a chat to Astro-Biologist Petra Shweta about her studies on bringing bacteria onto spacecrafts as well as other planets. Instead of James Shaw we chatted to the newest Green Party member Golriz Ghahraman. We are had a wee panel about the recent article Duncan Garner made where he complaining about immigration and Kmart lines. We also had a report on the dropping rates in tertiary enrolments where we spoke to the general public as well as Jonathan Gee from the NZUSA.
AUSA informed the student body that they were unable to disaffiliate of Pro Life due to the question creating a possible biase. President of AUSA, Will Matthews, spoke with producer Laura Kvigstad on the issue and clarified the matter.
After a rather drawn out couple of weeks, NZFirst Leader Winston Peters finally begun coalition talks with National and Labour yesterday. National Leader Bill English was up first in the morning, with Jacinda Ardern and her team meeting the negotiators in the afternoon. Kelly talked with political professor from Massey University, Grant Duncan about what these discussions may entail and some of the more polarising policies that will most likely take further negotiation.
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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