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.
The Dunedin Study is a longitudinal study that began in Dunedin in the 1970s. The study involves over 1000 study members who have been regularly assessed since their birth. The most recent data was collected at phase (age) 45. Currently Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is holding an exhibit on the study called A Slice of Life: The World Famous Dunedin Study. The exhibit celebrates the study findings and the work of all of the particpants. Jemima Huston speaks with the study's Cohort and Assessment Manager Sean Hogan about the global impact of the study. She also talks to MOTAT's Exhibitions Manager Rebecca Britt about Slice of Life and what visitors can expect from the exhibition.
On July 1 a government initiative came into effect that will provide free apprenticeships to tens of thousands of New Zealanders. Jemima Huston speaks to Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Chief Executive Warwick Quinn about how the initative will work for the trade industry in a post Covid-19 world.
Over the weekend RNZ reported that the Labour Party would not be giving up the Auckland Central seat this election to the Green Party. Labour Representative Helen White will run for the position again, but this time against Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick and a yet to be announced National Party MP. RNZ asked White what she would say to people who pointed out Swarbrick's profile to which she said, "I'd ask them whether they're looking for a celebrity or someone to do this job very seriously." Jemima Huston and Zoë Larsen Cumming speak to the candidates about their work, the relevance of celebrity in an election and why the Auckland Central seat is always framed as a "cat fight".
This week Bronwyn spoke to Tracey Martin about the government’s agreement to repeal the section of the Oranga Tamariki Act that deals with subsequent children.
Following a comment made by the NZ Property Investors Federation that not all rental properties need heat pumps and not all tenants want heat pumps, the Tuesday Wire team was stuck asking the question: do rental homes really need a heating source? Hanna speaks to Coodinator of the Manawatū Tenants Union, Ben Schmidt, and Organiser for Renters United, Aaron Packard, to find an answer to our question. Jemima talks to Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, Letita Harding, for a health perspective on the issue.
How will the pandemic impact our work and lives in the future? Jemima Huston speaks to University of Otago Associate Professor in Business and Sustainability Sara Walton about whether Covid-19 will change the expectations of work. They talk about flexible work places, whether we are moving away from a globalised society and also whether we will ever go back to normal.
For 95bFM's election coverage this year, Jemima Huston speaks to Māori Party co-leader John Tamihere about human issues. They discuss Oranga Tamariki and the Māori Seats in Parliament.
This week on the Wednesday Wire, we speak with Allan Blackman on Dear Scienceabout the decline in average body temperature, a new energy saving window and platypuses glowing in ultraviolet light.
Bronnie speaks to deputy leader of the Act party, Brooke Van Velden, about their criticisms of the Recognised seasonal workers (or RSE) scheme and the Labour party’s proposal to do away with the full representation rule in parliament.
Felix spoke to Savage, the Head of Aviation at E tū about recent payouts to Air New Zealand executives.
Finally, Bronnie spoke to Rhieve Grey, a psychology and Maori studies honours student at the University of Auckland who has just been announced as one of this year’s rhodes scholars.
This week, over FIFTY charities signed an open letter asking the Government to lift benefit levels before Christmas.
On of thse organisations, The Auckland City Mission says they are preparing to face one of the hardest Christmas periods in ONE HUNDRED years, and will face immense pressure to provide families with essential resources.
Jessica talked to Deb Ward, Fundraising and Reputation manager at the Auckland City Mission about what needs to be done to help lift people out of poverty, and how Covid-19 has led to more people needing support.
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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