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.
The United Nations, the World Bank and many experts are warning that the planet is in the throes of a water crisis and it is only going to get worse. United nations secretary-general Antonio Guterras says that by 2050 global demand for fresh water will grow by more than 40% and a quarter of countries will lack sufficient supply. Bolivian President Evo Morales says that if present water consumption patterns continue, two thirds of earth's population will face daily water shortages by 2025. Producer Reuben McLaren spoke to Professor Michael Young of Adelaide University and Guy Salmon of New Zealand's Ecologic Foundation about these water crises and the impact on New Zealand.
This week on the show, Adam, Harry and Reuben explore the recently passed bill which would see housing development around Point England; look into reports surrounding a new wide-scale cyber attack and see if the world is on the verge of a global water crisis. They also chat with Andrew Little regarding the Labour intern scandle and their newly announced employee relations bill.
On Tuesday legislation was passed by the House of Representatives allowing for a large-scale housing development on 11.7 hectares of the reserve in Tāmaki,enabling local iwi Ngāti Pāoa to build 300 houses on the reserve land as part of its Treaty settlement. Concerns have been raised by Auckland Mayor Phill Goff and Chairperson of the Maungakiekie Tamaki Local Board regarding the government’s use of special legislation to lift reserve status outside normal statutory processes. Producer Harry Willis talks to Bartley to gauge the local board’s opinion on the bill.
A former registered nurse, Rebekah Kelsey, says relentless bullying by senior staff within an ADHB hospital forced to quit her job. In a recent issue of the New Zealand nurses industry magazine, Kai Tiaki, Kelsey told her story. 95bFM producer Adam Jacobson got in contact with Kelsey, asking her to describe the experiences and behaviours which led to her resignation. He also heard from Lesley Harry, the NZ Nurses Organisation’s Industrial Adviser for the DHB sector, to find out if the New Zealand health sector has a workplace bullying culture.
Next week is Music Therapy Week 2017, a week dedicated to helping those with health issues through creativity and expression. The theme of the week, ‘Finding Your Voice’, intends to bring focus to how music therapy can help patients express themselves and communicate through music. 95bFM producer Will Parsonson catches up with music therapist Libby Johns to learn about how music can help the healing process for people with a wide range of health issues.
The event runs from 1-9 July. Find out more about events in your city here.
This week on the Wednesday show, Ximena, Adam & Will explore the nasty culture of bullying in the nursing sector, as well as learn about the flourishing music therapy industry ahead of Music Therapy Week 2017. They also hear from Wednesday regulars; AUT’s Allan Blackman on dodgy scientific misunderstandings, as well as NZ First’s Tracey Martin on the party’s regional campaign launch in the weekend.
It is election year in New Zealand as we all know, and already we are seeing all the major media outlets pump out their political polls, whether it is online or during the 6pm news. But, why do we have political polls? Are they accurate? And what should you the voter be looking for when you are presented with different polls across multiple platforms? Well earlier I spoke to political polling expert Murray Campbell from Baseline Consultancy and I began by asking him what the primary purpose of political polls is.
The Arabian Gulf state Yemen is currently experiencing crises on two fronts. A devastating cholera outbreak and an ongoing civil war. However, are they forgotten about in a region that dominates international news coverage? Reporter Sam Smith filed this report.
This week on the Wire we look at political polling, the latest family violence stats, the PNG elections, Yemen, the week in politics with Marama Fox and the Green Desk.
New data from the Family Violence Clearinghouse shows there are thousands more police callouts every year, and officers are spending a huge amount of time responding to reports of abuse within homes. But these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg, according to Shine, an advocacy group for victims. Wire producer Daniel Walker spoke to Shine Client Services Director Jill Proudfoot.
Later in the show, the Wire team spoke to Police association president Chris Cahill on how they deal with the callouts, and why police don't keep better data on them.
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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