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.
Our lives are increasingly mediated by digital technologies and online structures. This in turn dictates the information we might be exposed to, the relationships we might have, and other ways in which we live. A new series of talks at AUT intends to look at the way in which algorithms & data interact with and shape our everyday lives. The series, called Critical Conversations, is split into three talks - space, origins & intimacy - and each involve a different theorist/ academic paired with an artist/ technologist. Ximena caught up with the curator of the event, Luke Munn, to learn more about the theme of the series and to chat about what to expect to come out of each conversation.
Last week Recorded Music New Zealand released their latest market report which revealed a second consecutive year of growth in New Zealand's music industry after more than a decade of decline. Reporter Sam Smith reports on the situation and speaks to industry insiders as to what it all means.
The war in Syria is in its 6th year, and as a war, it has been plagued by the spread of propaganda, misinformation and competing narratives, as the parties involved attempt to control the information war taking place alongside the conflict on the ground. However, how exactly does the media cover conflict? What barriers do they face? And who should we believe when there are so many different versions of events? Reporter Sam Smith speaks to University of Auckland political studies lecturer Maria Armoudian about the role of the media during war and conflict.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox about the latest in Māori issues, Sam has a report on the recent boom in New Zealand music revenue, we look at the reemergence of an elusive New Guinea dog, and more.
An open letter claiming free speech is under threat in New Zealand attracted the signatures of 27 prominent New Zealanders earlier this year. This followed calls for a review of hate speech legislation and the voluntary de-registration of the short-lived Auckland University European Students Association. To get both sides of the story, bfm producer Ben spoke with the man behind the open letter, Dr Paul Moon, and the National President of the New Zealand Union of Students Associations.
In late 2016 various groups from the education and disability sectors launched the "Education for All" campaign, to call for greater support for students with disabilities. One of the groups behind the campaign is the Inclusive Education Action Group, bfm producer Ben spoke with one of their members, Trish Grant, about the current state of support for students with disabilities.
Israeli police have blocked this year's annual Palestinian March of Return. The police have denied the organisers a permit, saying there is a shortage of officers to oversee the march. However, Palestinian leaders in Israel see this as yet another effort to silence their resistance. bFM reporter Amanda Jane Robinson took a look at the 1948 Nakba and the history of the March of Return.
Amanda Jane Robinson and producer Ben Goldson bring you The Wire for Monday 10th April. We hear from Professor Paul Moon and National President of the New Zealand Union of Student Associations Jonathan Gee about whether or not free speech is in danger on the University campus. We talk to representatives from the Avondale Business Association and the Salvation Army talking about whether banning beggars from store fronts is an effective solution. We have our weekly chat with the Green Party, this week talking to co-leader Metiria Turei about the initial party list and US air strikes in Syria. As usual we have AUT Pacific Media Centre’s Kendall Hutt talking all about the latest in Pacific news for Southern Cross. We take a look into the history of the Palestinian March of Return. And lastly, we have Trish Grant from the Inclusivity Education Action Group talking about support for student with disabilities.
95bFM reporter Ben Goldson speaks to Avondale Business Association chairman Duncan MacDonald and Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit’s Lieutenant Colonel Ian Hutson about whether business owners should be able to banning beggars from store fronts.
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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