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.
In a referendum in the weekend, Turkey chose to grant President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers. The country’s long-standing parliamentary system has been abolished in favour of an executive presidency, which will merge the roles of the president and the prime minister and could potentially keep Erdogan in office until 2029. Ximena speaks to Stephen Hoadley from the University of Auckland’s political studies department about the significance and meaning of the move.
A new report reviewing kiwis experiences with mental health services is set to be launched later this afternoon. The report summarises key themes raised in more than 500 stories submitted to the People’s Mental Health Review, and also contains four key recommendations based on these themes. Ximena speaks to report author & ActionStation spokesperson Marianne Elliott for a preview of the findings.
This Saturday scientists across the globe are marching in unison. Their aim, to celebrate science as pillar of human freedom and prosperity; while fighting back against ga growing agenda in politics which aims to spread misinformation and anti-science views. 95bFm Reporter Adam Jacobson speaks with March for Science New Zealand spokesperson, Cindy Hall, about the what exactly the movement is, and the reasons for its inception.
This week, Ximena & Adam cover the historic pay increase for aged care workers, examine the recent re-election of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the sweeping new powers being granted to him; took a closer look at the newly released People’s Mental Health Review and spoke to a key organiser for the March for Science; a movement aiming to celebrate science as pillar of human freedom and prosperity in a world of anti-science politics. They are also joined by AUT's Allan Blackman for Dear Science; talking through controversial topics such as fluoride and alternative medicine.
On the Wednesday show this week, Ximena & Adam take a look at the some of the biggest stories of the day, such as historic pay equity deal announced yesterday, the People's Mental Health report & the referendum in Turkey last weekend. Allan Blackman also makes an appearance for Dear Science, where he dispels a few science myths & discusses a new Netflix show's controversial depiction of suicide.
Tension is building on the Koean Peninsula as the growing standoff between the U.S. and North Korea gathers steam. Reporter Sam Smith takes a closer look at the situation and whether war is coming to East Asia.
New Zealand has a wasp problem. The invasive insect is considered a pest and routinely eats honeydew before birds can get to it, kills native insects, and attacks and kills bees. However, a team of researchers from around the country are undertaking a ten-year project to develop new wasp busting technologies. Among the ideas being explored include developing genetically modified transgenic wasps that would return to nests and destroy their own communities. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to one of the leaders of the research project, Victoria University's Phil Lester.
Mack speaks with Auckland University associate professor Nikki Turner who says people should make sure they are immunised following a spate of mumps cases.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where speak to Otago University's Robert Patman about the political minefield in the Korean peninsula, Marama Fox about Māori incarceration rates and gangs, Auckland University associate professor Nikki Turner about a mumps outbreak hitting Auckland, Victoria University’s Phil Lester about new research into cloning wasps to destroy their species, and more.
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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