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.
Alongside producers Jack and Kelly, Joel tackles a science fueled Friday Wire. He interviews National MP Andrew Bayly about Labour's recently announced family package, and talks to Radio Adilaide's Nicole Wedding about the latest in Australian news. Kelly airs a report about a trillion tone iceberg which has recently broken off into the Antarctic Ocean, and Jack airs his reports on the state of science journalism, and a breakthrough in gonorrhea prevention.
Yesterday, ACT party leader David Seymour announced a proposal to increase a limit on student loan borrowing, in response to rent pricing reaching extortionately high levels, with rent increasing by 45% since 2006.The New Zealand Union of Students’ Association have said there is more than meets the eye with these proposals, so producer Harry chatted with their president Johnathon Gee to find out more.
The government is failing to meet its treaty obligations in regards to health. A recent paper by Heather Came and Keith Tudor called “Unravelling the Whāriki of Crown Māori and health infrastructure” reveals these shortcomings. producer Lucy spoke with author of the paper and senior lecturer at AUT, Heather Came, to really find out a bit more about why they did this paper and the significance it holds.
As an election year comes into its final stretch, the conversation around immigration policy rears it’s head once again. One consideration which tends to be forgotten in the debate is the fairness of immigration legislation. 95bFM Reporter Adam Jacobson spoke with David Hall, the editor of Fair Borders - Migration Policy in the Twenty-First Century; a book which aims to examine various angles on the theme of fair immigration.
Adam takes over the reigns for this Wednesday's show, where - along with producers WIll and India - they explore a myriad of stories. Producer Will explores the impact of Labour’s housing policy on child poverty and poor housing environment. Adam was joined by Tracy Martin from NZ First to discuss Green Party accusations of racist immigration policy. AUT’s Allan Blackman joins them once again to talk about “potentially” toxic nanoparticles found in baby formula, a creationist who sued the Grand Canyon, and more. And finally, producer India spoke with Mana Magazine's former editor - Leonie Hayden - regarding the publications being placed on indefinite hold by its owner.
Andrew Little has announced a new policy that would increase funding to social housing through winter. This increase is intended to target those households with children which have previously been growing up in cold, damp home environments, leading to sickness and further issues. Producer Will spoke to Frank Hogan, the housing issues spokesperson for Child Poverty Action group, asking him what effect poor housing standards have on children.
Last week it was announced that the production of Mana magazine would be put on hold indefinitely by its owner, Mana Productions, who says at this stage they do not intend to continue publishing it. For the past three years, the magazine’s license has been held by Kōwhai Media - who employed journalist Leonie Hayden as its editor - but this month the license returned to Mana Productions. Producer India spoke with former editor Leonie Hayden about the importance of Mana magazine, Kōwhai’s unsuccessful bid to buy the title and her new project with The Spinoff.
The Australia West Papua Association is pushing for action from Australia, authoring an open letter to Julie Bishop asking for her party to put pressure on the Indonesian government after around 150 Papuans have been arrested for peaceful protest with reports that both abuse and torture have occurred. Reporter Jack Marshall spoke with Joe Collins, a spokesperson from the Australian West Papua Association and began by asking what these arrests highlight in West Papua.
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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