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.
Check out the full podcast for this week's Friday show, where we take a look at rape culture and the situation Wellington, we talk to National MP Jami-Lee Ross about superannuation and the domestice violence leave bill, we have Radio Adelaide's Nicole Wedding for the latest in Australian news, poet Mohamed Hassan talking about his upcoming poetry collective's show, and lastly Labour leader Andrew Little is live in the studio talking about superannuation, the Working Futures Plan, housing and getting more young people to vote.
Teachers from primary and secondary schools are calling out the Education Minister for massively overstating school funding increases and playing Trump-style politics with children's education. The NZEI and PPTA called a press conference yesterday to challenge the outgoing minister to explain herself. Parata has claimed that school funding has increased by 35 per cent under a National government, when it's only really increased by 2.3 per cent. Producer Jess Smith speaks to the President of NZEI Lynda Stuart to learn more, starting with the question of what claims were actually made.
Co-leader of the New Zealand Green Party James Shaw joins us in studio to discuss the contentious topics ruling this year's general elections. From superannuation and housing, to Nick Smith's proposal for "swimmable" rivers, Shaw covers it all in a chat with bFM reporter Jogai Bhatt.
The ongoing issue of rape culture in New Zealand has been brought to light following misogynistic comments made online by two male students of Wellington College. Big Buddy, an organisation that mentors fatherless boys, believes that for boys to understand consent, they must be taught by male role models in their lives. Producer Jess Smith speaks to the organisation's CEO Richard Aston to learn more about this issue.
The Classics is an upcoming solo painting exhibition which explores the relationships between the current political climate, bans on the media, the increasing rigidity on freedom of expression, and heightened bureaucracy. Artist Jimmy James Kouratoras communicates these ideas through the portraiture paintings of 19th century cinema figures. bFM reporter Adam Jacobson speaks to Jimmy about the exhibition, and how he brought the idea into reality.
Today is International Women’s Day 2017. This year’s theme is #BeBoldForChange, where women, men and nonbinary people are being called on to take bold action in forging a more gender inclusive world. Carol Beaumont from the National Council for Women and Prue Kapua from the Māori Women’s Welfare League join us in the studio to talk about what constitutes bold change, what areas action is most needed in, as well as current barriers for change.
The open oceans are a violent and lawless place, an area of the globe where human trafficking, illegal fishing operations and deplorable murders occur frequently. “The Outlaw Ocean” series tackles these issues, exploring them in a seven part series published in the New York Times.
95bFM’s Adam Jacobson speaks with investigative journalist and author of “The Outlaw Ocean”, Ian Urbina, about his troubling reports of crime and violence in international waters.
Yesterday we spoke to Titirangi Residents and Ratepayers Association Chair Dr Mels Barton about her group's opposition to the proposed development of the Oratia water treatment plant. Barton also told bFM that those who suggested the two communities were 'pitted against each other' were completely misrepresenting the situation. She said she welcomed the development to Titirangi, but only so long as the publicly owned Exhibition Drive was kept from being sold.
There's some confusion on that final point, as Watercare deny any such plans exist. 95bFM’s Mack Smith speaks to Watercare operations manager Priyan Perera about these issues.
This week on the show, Ximena and Adam celebrate International Women’s Day with guests Carol Beaumont from the National Council for Women and Prue Kapua from the Māori Women’s Welfare League. They also debunk several science myths with AUT’s Allan Blackman for Dear Science, and also chat to investigative reporter Ian Urbina about his work reporting on crime at sea.
The children's commissioner is proposing we look into the idea of lowering the voter age in New Zealand to 16. Reporter Sam Smith investigates this idea in a special report where he speaks to RockEnrols Laura O'Connell Rapira.
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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