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.
To celebrate National Poetry Day, reporter Amanda Robinson talked to Selina Marsh, the first Pacific Islander to Graduate with a PhD in English from the University of Auckland, about her latest collection of recently released poetry.
Kelly talks to Nicole Wedding from Radio Adelaide on the latest in Australian news. Another Melbourne council has voted to change the date of Australia Day as many believe it to be a culturally insensitive and outdated celebration. A study has revealed the baby boomers generation are the worst for alcohol and illicit drug misuse, and a natural healing doctor is facing scrutiny after helping some parents get around the 'no jab, no play' rule.
Continuing on with our environment policy coverage in the lead up to the election, Laura speaks with the Director of Energy at Auckland University, about the state of sustainable energy in New Zealand.
The chair of the Blue Greens Committee, Andrew Bayly, wraps up our week of election coverage interviews on the environmental issues facing New Zealand. Kelly asked Andrew about the freshwater policies National has announced to make a wider amount of New Zealand rivers and lakes swimmable again. They also chatted about climate change and National's commitment to the Paris agreement.
Kelly talks to Nicole Wedding from Radio Adelaide on the latest in Australian news. Another Melbourne council has voted to change the date of Australia Day as many believe it to be a culturally insensitive and outdated celebration. A study has revealed the baby boomers generation are the worst for alcohol and illicit drug misuse, and a natural healing doctor is facing scrutiny after helping some parents get around the 'no jab, no play' rule.
To celebrate National Poetry Day, reporter Amanda Robinson talked to Selina Marsh, the first Pacific Islander to Graduate with a PhD in English from the University of Auckland, about her latest collection of recently released poetry.
Today on the show, the Thursday team discuss Conservation in New Zealand as an election issue. Forest and Bird CEO Kevin Hague talks to Ben about the current state of Conservation and where it should be heading. The Environment and Conservation Organisastion of Aotearoa New Zealand are holding their annual conference tomorrow in Nelson titled 'Environmental responsibilities and democracy for the future; limits, pathways and actions. Vice Chair Cath Wallace discusses the conference and the current failings in conservation policy with Lachlan.
Today we continue our election coverage, this week we are looking at environmental issues facing NZ. We look specifically at conservation, with perspectives from Forest and Bird’s Kevin Hague, and Kath Wallace from the Environment and Conservation Organisation of Aotearoa New Zealand
We speak with Labour Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis on Labour’s stance on environmental conservation and climate change
State of the States is back, this week speaking with Nick Sawhney our regular correspondent from WNYU on Steve Bannon’s booting.
AND welcome on board new producer Lachlan, who has a report on the campaign to get the government to remove medical student EFTS loan caps.
Lastly Jogai is back on Thursday Wire, talking to K. Emma Ng, author of New Asian, Old Asian
Medical Students are finding it increasingly difficult to finish their degrees if the government doesn't lift the EFTS cap. Postgraduate students can spend up to eight years completeing their degree, with many unable to find the money to pay their fees once their EFTS have run out. Spokesperson for the 'Let us Finish Campaign' Kera May spoke to Lachlan about the group's petition and wider goals.
Today on the show, the Wednesday team takes a look at water as an election issue. This comes just after an announcement yesterday that Federated Farmers are committed to helping make New Zealand’s rivers swimmable, which is a goal already shared by a number of different environmental, political and conservation groups. However, not everyone seems to agree on the best way to reach this goal, as often the interests of the stakeholders involved - from farmers to environmentalists - are at odds with each other. We speak to Choose Clean Water’s Marnie Prickett, eco farmer John King, Federated Farmers’ Water spokesperson Chris Allen and the University of Otago’s Marc Schallenberg to learn about why water matters as an election issue and what solutions have the most to offer for the future of New Zealand’s fresh waterways.
We continue with our election-focused coverage today on The Wire - this week we look at the environment, and today we specifically focus on water, getting a range of perspectives on this issue throughout the show. Tracey Martin joins us to talk about what environmentally-focused policies NZ First has on offer, and AUT’s Allan Blackman comes up to the studio to talk about overhyping research, ‘killer’ avocados & watery whisky.
On today's Wire, India, Lucy and Mack talk to two of the journalists behind a new documentary series The Valley which investigates the New Zealand Defence Force’s role in Afghanistan, Paula Penfold and Jon Stephenson.
As we're focussing on the environment this week, we explore the issues of climate change in the context of this year’s election. We hear perspectives from Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox, The Opportunities Party's Deputy Leader Geoff Simmons, and Nigel Brunell, the Director of Financial Markets at OMF.
On the Green Desk, Lilly Peacocke speaks to an environmental protection group looking after Auckland’s Meola Creek.
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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