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.
This week, Jogai and Harry chat to Dr James Cheeseman of the UoA's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences to learn more about a big scientific insight into Piha's little critters, and Harry has a report on a new not-for-profit public health model that suggests the legal sale of recreational cannabis will greatly benefit Aotearoa. 95bFM reporter Will Parsonson chats to Fossil Free UoA's Rhys Jones about divesting from fossil fuels, and our weekly Thursday feature State of the States has returned! This week, Harry chats to Nick about North Korea/US relations, and the attention-grabbing election in the state of Georgia. Andrew Little is also back for our weekly chat. All this and more on the Thursday Wire - check out the full podcast here.
While we've yet to see them howl at the moon, tiny insects scuttling around Piha may have a stronger relationship to the moon than wolves, as their biological clocks are strongly affected by lunar and tidal cycles. Wire host Jogai Bhatt spoke to Dr James Cheeseman of the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences for more.
A new not-for-profit public health model is advocating for the legal sale of recreational cannabis in New Zealand, drawing inspiration from elements of the Gambling Act of 2003. Wire producer Harry Willis reports.
240 University of Auckland staff have signed a letter to the university’s foundation, requesting that they divest from fossil fuels. The letter will be tabled this Friday at a University of Auckland Foundation meeting. 95bFM reporter Will Parsonson talked to spokesperson for the group of staff advocating divestment, Rhys Jones, first asking him why it’s so important that the university divests from fossil fuels.
A Newsroom investigation has revealed a young Clutha-Southland National MP secretly recorded a long-standing member of staff amid an employment dispute. Todd Barclay, the MP in question, initially denied allegations of the recordings and speaking to Prime Minister Bill English about it. However, Bill English has contradicted this in a statement released last night detailing how the PM had in fact been told about the recordings almost a year ago. In an exclusive interview, 95bFM reporter Adam Jacobson speaks with Newsroom investigative journalist Melanie Reid regarding the investigation.
A survey of 8500 young New Zealanders has revealed that those exposed to suicide attempts of people close to them are far more likely to take their own lives. 95bFM reporter Adam Jacobson speaks with one of the lead authors of the study from the University of Auckland, Associate Professor Simon Denny, to find out more about the research.
Today on the show, Tracey talks to Ximena about New Zealand First’s call for a binding referendum on repealing the ‘anti-smacking’ law, ten-years-on from its emergence.
AUT’s Allan Blackman is back again for Dear Science, today talking about how researchers have developed a solar paint that can generate energy, the 69th anniversary of the demonstration of the first microgroove LP, as well as some recent controversy around the gene editing technology, CRISPR.
Today on the jam-packed show, Ximena, Adam & Will look at some of the latest political hot topics of the week, including the Todd Barclay bugging scandal and NZ First’s call for a referendum on the ‘anti-smacking’ law. AUT’s Allan Blackman also joins them as usual in the studio for Dear Science, chatting about how researchers have developed a solar paint that can generate energy, as well as some recent controversy around a gene editing technology called CRISPR.
Last week it was announced that Suzie Dawson will be the leader of the Internet Party at this year’s election. Suzie is a citizen journalist and activist who is currently based in Moscow and it is not yet known whether she will return to New Zealand for the campaign. Suzie spoke to us live from Moscow.
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
95bFM 
