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.
Despite saying they are open to all university students with an interest in European culture, the ‘Auckland University European Students Association’ has been accused of promoting white supremacy through its imagery and slogans online. bFM reporter Amanda Jane Robinson spoke to the President of the European Students Association, who does not wish to be named due to safety concerns. Since the interview, the Association have released a statement saying they are disbanding as a university club and withdrawing their application to be affiliated with the Auckland University Students Association. Amanda also spoke to Justine, a student protesting the group, about the withdrawal.
79-year-old Fang Ruzhen immigrated to Auckland to help raise her grandchildren. Fifteen years on English is still a foreign language, but she has found community with other elderly Chinese expats on her weekly bus rides to the Asian supermarkets of East Auckland. Filmmaker Julie Zhu is set to make a documentary about this community through the Loading Docs program. bFM reporter Amanda Jane Robinson talked with Julie about the project.
The World Health Organisation released a list of antibiotic resistant pathogens on Tuesday. These pathogens are in need of research for new treatments however here in New Zealand we are lucky enough to be safe from most of these bacteria’s for now. bFM reporter Tess Barnett spoke with a senior lecturer in Otago’s department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dr James Ussher, about what these pathogens are and where this list places New Zealanders
This week, Amanda and Tess looked at the controversy surrounding the Auckland University European Students Association including interviews with the Association's President and a student protestor. We had our weekly chat to Radio Adelaide's Nicole Wedding for Neighbourhood Watch, and our weekly discussion with National MP Jami-Lee Ross. We also looked at New Zealand's standing in the world of antibiotic resistant pathogens, new documentary East Meets East exploring the community of elderly Chinese expats who take weekly bus rides to the Asian supermarkets of East Auckland.
Lucy and Maha join us in the bFM studio to discuss their new TVNZ miniseries So This Happened. Each episode outlines an individual experience, and all with a comedic element. But for the most part, the series deals with quite poignant issues women must face in their day-to-day lives. bFM reporter Jogai Bhatt spoke with them to learn more.
This week, Jogai and Jess look at Lucy Zee and Maha Albadrawi's new miniseries So This Happened, bFM's Joel Thomas has a report on the state of TVNZ, and our news director Ximena Smith covers AUSA's controversial new group, the European Students Association. Producer Jess Smith also looks at Oxfam's Taps Off Day, and Andrew Little is back for our weekly chat.
A controversial new group called the Auckland University European Students Association raised a number of red flags since its emergence this week. Despite saying they are open to all university students with an interest in European culture, the group has been accused by some as one that promotes white supremacy. bFM's news director Ximena Smith spoke to the president of AUSA to learn more.
We investigate the role of state funded television in local communities, and whether TVNZ requires immediate reform in order to cater to the current media climate. bFM reporter Joel Thomas speaks to a series of media critics and commentators to learn more.
Oxfam has introduced a new intiative called Taps Off Day, encouraging New Zealanders to around the country to go a whole day wihout turning their taps on. The brand new project, kicking off on March 22nd, hopes to provide easy access to clean water for our Pacific neighbours. bFM reporter Jess Smith speaks to Oxfam New Zealand's executive director Rachael Le Mesurier to learn more.
This Monday, Prime Minister Bill English made an assertion that employers are struggling to hire New Zealand workers due to a large numbers failing drug tests in their applications. Although he admitted the evidence was anecdotal, he said it partly helped to justify record immigration numbers. 95bFM’s Adam Jacobson speaks to Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff about the topic.
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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