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.
After a very successful launch in 2015, the Bachelor NZ is back to grace our screens every Sunday and Monday night, and the third season has promised audiences more romantic twists and turns than ever before. In a short space of time, it’s become a reality television staple for most Kiwis; a national institution if you will. Whether you love it, or you hate it, or you love to hate it, the truth is that we just can’t get enough of it. Earlier this week, Jogai spoke to research manager at the institute of culture, discourse, and communication at AUT Dr Philippa Smith, to develop a more critical insight into reality tv, and what exactly makes the Bachelor tick. We started out by asking why the more romantic sub-genres of reality tv tend to resonate with audiences so heavily.
This week, Jogai and Jess catche up with Manu Caddie from Hikurangi enterprises to learn more about their industrial hemp-growing trial and we speak to Dr Philippa Smith from AUT to gain a more critical understanding of reality television and The Bachelor NZ. Jess also has a report on the government’s plan to oil drill in 35.5% of the North Island’s Maui Dolphin sanctuary, and our news director Ximena Smith has a chat to the CEO of NZTech Graeme Muller about The Internet of Things. Andrew Little also joins us live in studio for our weekly chat. All this and more on the Thursday Wire - check out the full podcast here.
A secret Ruatoria hemp trial planted in December is ready for harvest, and this Friday the community can come smell, touch and smoke the plant, to learn what all the hype is about. In December 2016, Hikurangi Enterprises secured a licence from the Ministry of Health to establish a small trial crop of industrial hemp in Ruatoria for this growing season. The possibilities for industrial hemp include foodstuffs, health products, textiles and as a housing solution. Producer Jess Smith spoke to Manu Caddie from Hikurangi Enterprises this morning, to learn more about the trial, and began by asking about the uses of hemp.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept that seems like it's been lifted straight out of a sci-fi movie - think your car communicating with your home to tell your heating to turn on, or light-bulbs that you can control with your smartphone. But this type of connectivity between devices and objects is already increasingly happening around the world, and there's still so much opportunity for governments and businesses to harness the possible benefits of machine-to-machine connection. Our news director Ximena speaks to NZTech CEO Graeme Muller for further details about the Internet of Things, and about a new research project that looks at its potential benefits and risks for the New Zealand economy.
The Government has decided to allow oil drilling in 35.5 percent of the North Island’s Maui dolphin sanctuary, as well as along the shores of picturesque Lake Te Anau and Fiordland National Park. The Green Party announced on Wednesday that this will create major risks for New Zealand’s clean, green tourism brand, as well as putting the already endangered Maui Dolphins at risk. Earlier this week, Producer Jess Smith spoke to Green Party spokesperson Gareth Hughes to find out more about the issue, and began by asking about the government’s announcement yesterday.
Reporter Sam Smith takes a look at the murky world of multinational tax avoidance. This comes after a NZ Herald investigation revealed Apple has not paid tax in New Zealand since 2007.
The Productivity Commission has drawn flak over its new recommendations for the tertiary education sector. Mack speaks to chairperson Murray Sherwin and New Zealand Union of Students' Associations President Jonathon Gee.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Tuesday show, where we speak to the Productivity Commission about its latest report into tertiary education, the New Zealand Maritime Union's Alastair Reith and MPI's Pete Thomson about new biofouling regulations for ships, Scoop's engagement manager Joe Cederwall about the site's latest foray into election coverage, and more.
Independent news outlet Scoop are currently fundraising for their election coverage. They have a pledgeme campaign going to help them open the news this election cycle through a participatory and citizen powered news approach. The plan is to collaboratively shape an independent news agenda with input from citizens and freelance jouralists to produce high quality, multimedia journalism. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to Scoop's engagement manager Joe Cederwall about the project.
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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