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.
It’s been revealed New Zealand sent over $200,000 towards North Korea aid until it was cut off last year. We talk to the Taxpayers Union, the group behind the revelations, about their claims that this was a waste of expenditure.
As elder abuse awareness week approaches new research into aged residential care is being released. Our reporter Katie Doyle spoke to Doctor Polly Yeung from Massey University about her new study into residential care in New Zealand, abuse and the upcoming release of a national care indicators programme which will help to protect elderly people in New Zealand.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to Labour leader Andrew Little, political commentator Bryce Edwards and Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox about Labour's new immigration policy, the Taxpayers Union's Jordan Williams about his claims New Zealand wasted aid money which was sent to North Korea, Auckland artist Zoe James about her painting using menstrual blood to raise awareness, and more.
Auckland artist Zoe James is making waves with her new painting, created using menstrual blood. The piece named “An Expensive Habit” is a political statement against the controversial ‘tampon tax’ which sees female sanitary items sold as luxury items rather than basic necessities. Katie Doyle spoke to Zoe about her work and an upcoming event to raise awareness about how the tax affects women who are struggling financially.
After the publication of Hit and Run by investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson, various calls were made for an inquiry. Now, the United Nations Committee Against Torture has joined them, asking the New Zealand government to "please indicate what measures the state party has put in place to ensure that all allegations relating to 'Operation Burnham' will be fully investigated and addressed."
For more, bfm Producer Kelly spoke with Amnesty International's Sarah Agnew, and asked her how these latest developments unfolded.
The Wellington City Council and other partners are set to open the first wet house in New Zealand where homeless people suffering from alcohol addiction will be allowed to consume alcohol in a safe permanent shelter whilst undergoing rehab. 95bFM Producer Reuben McLaren speaks with Director of Wellington DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) Stephanie McIntyre about the project.
Although Theresa May's conservative party remains the largest in the parliament of the United Kingdom, they have failed to reach a majority. Will they be able to reach a consensus with smaller parties? Or will the UK soon be plunged into another election?
For a quick debrief, host Amanda is joined by producers Ben and Reuben in studio.
It's been 50 years since the Israeli occupation of Palestine began. Host of The Wire Amanda Jane Robinson speaks to Avigail Allan from Jewish anti-occupation group Dayenu about the conflict and the group.
This week on The Monday Wire, we speak to the Director of Wellington Downtown Community Ministry Stephanie McIntyre about a new Wellington wet house, we take a look at the history of the Israel occupation of Palestine with Jewish anti-occupation activist group Dayenu, we speak with AUT Pacific Media Centre’s Kendall Hutt live for all the latest in Pacific News for Southern Cross. We also speak with Amnesty International's Sarah Agnew about the UN calling for an inquiry into allegations made by investigative journalists Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson in 'Hit and Run'. And finally, we have a wee discussion about the results of the UK election.
As Wellington begins to feel the strain on housing, we look at the council's new proposal to refurbish under utilised houses into inner city apartments and how this iniative could be adopted amidst Auckland's housing crisis. 95bFM producer Jack Marshall talks with the city's Deputy Mayor Paul Eagle, about the in's and out's of how this programe will work.
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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