Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Castor Chacko, Alex Fox, Emmanuel Orange, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
For Dear Science, our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about self-experimentation, the infinite monkey theorem, and votes for Charles Darwin.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor to MP Tom Rutherford about the Treaty Principles Bill and the counter hīkoi.
They also spoke to president of the Post Primary Teachers Association, Chris Abercrombie, about the role of the organisation and the government’s recent comments.
News and Editorial Director, Joel spoke to the Media Spokesperson from ADHD New Zealand, Darrin Bull, about Pharmac set to fund a new ADHD medicine.
They also spoke to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Canterbury, Alison Griffith, about how we can analyse Roman society through a Māori lens.
Education Minister Erica Stanford and Associate Minister David Seymour put out a press release last Friday accusing the Post Primary Teachers Association of disrupting students’ learning.
The press release continues that the PPTA is prioritising ideology over students, and that the meetings create a poor example.
Stanford says “We can’t expect students to value the importance of education and attendance when adults walk off the job.”
To address these claims, Wire host Castor spoke to president of the PPTA, Chris Abercrombie, about the press release and the PPTA’s concerns for teaching in Aotearoa.
For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to Tākuta Ferris, about the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced to Parliament two weeks early than previously planned, and the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi.
For our weekly catch up Producer Evie speaks to the ACT Party's Simon Court about the introduction of the Treaty Principals Bill being moved forward, the nationwide Hikoi kicking off today in opposition to the bill, and David Seymour stating he doesn’t support a ban on Nazi symbols.
Joel speaks to Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, Dr Samantha Marsh, about Australia announcing a law to ban under 16 year olds from social media, and her calls for similar legislation to be implemented here in Aotearoa.
Evie speaks to geopolitical analyst at the University of Otago, Geoffrey Miller, about Donald Trump’s potential impact on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine as he takes on the role of US President early next year.
Joel speaks to the National Coordinator of the Public Transport Users Association New Zealand, Jon Reeves, on Transport Minister Simeon Brown’s announcement that Tāmaki Makaurau’s rail network will be closed for 96 days next year.
And Evie speaks Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, Dr Stephen Winter, about the government’s apology to abuse in state care survivors which is set to occur on the 12th of November.
Last week, Transport Minister, Simeon Brown, announced that Auckland’s rail network will close for 96 days, with an additional 53 days where operations will be reduced.
Brown cites multiple reasons for these closures, which are to develop and upgrade Auckland’s rail network.
News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the National Coordinator of the Public Transport Users Association New Zealand, Jon Reeves, about this announcement, what the association’s thoughts are regarding the matter, and what this will mean for public transport users.
Last week Donald Trump won the US election, securing his second term as President, and is now set to take office in January of next year.
This now leaves many questions of what his second term as president will look like.
In contrast to his 2016 presidency, there’s now an ongoing war in Gaza, in which the US has had much influence. Many have been dissatisfied with the response to this by the Biden/Harris administration, and now wait to see what action Trump will take on the issue.
There are also questions on what stance Trump will take on the ongoing war in Ukraine, in which the US has largely supported Ukraine. However Trump undoubtedly has his own relationship with Russia.
Producer Evie spoke to Geopolitical analyst at the University of Otago, Geoffrey Miller about these questions, and what we can expect to see under Trump's administration this time around.
The Government will issue its apology to survivors of abuse in state care and faith based institutions tomorrow.
The apology has been a long time coming and is set to be a monumental day for survivors. The apology is taking place in Parliament, and with spaces being limited, a huge number of survivors won’t be able to watch it in person, instead entering a lottery to gain a space in Parliament.
The remaining survivors will be watching via livestream in multiple locations.
Beyond the apology the government is also yet to layout what its redress and compensation plans will include despite recommendations being made in the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in state care report.
Producer Evie spoke to the University of Auckland’s Stephen Winter about the apology and what to expect from the government next.
Earlier this week the Government announced that it would introduce the controversial Treaty Principles Bill today, over a week earlier than its original date for introduction on November 18th.
The Bill has received much criticism, with a nationwide hīkoi in protest planned for next week to coincide with its introduction.
Producer Sofia spoke to Te Tiriti o Waitangi expert, Professor Margaret Mutu (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua), from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts, as well as lecturer at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Waikato-Tainui, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), about the Bill and the nationwide hīkoi that coincides with it.
Last night Republican Donald Trump won the United States election, sweeping battleground states and taking more than the 270 electoral college votes required to win.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about who voted for Trump yesterday and students’ reactions to the election outcome.
They then spoke to political commentator and former political show host at Radioactive Tom Unger, who is on the ground in New Jersey, about the reaction from both campaigns and the general public to Trump’s win.
And they spoke to Associate Professor in Law Scott Optican from the University of Auckland about the ramifications of Trump winning as a convicted felon, as well as the potential impacts of a Trump presidency in Aotearoa.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire Host Caeden speaks to Willow-Jean Prime about the Treaty Principles Bill, Labour calling for a pause in Gumboot Friday’s funding, and a leaked document showing force will be allowed against young people in the Government’s bootcamps for youth offenders.
And for State of the States, following Trump’s win yesterday, they speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News, political commentator Tom Unger, and University of Auckland’s Professor of Law Scott Optican.
For City Counselling this week, Sofia speaks to Councillor Julie Fairey about Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s ‘Happy Guide’ as well as Council’s decision to move the Western Springs speedway
She also speaks to the University of Auckland’s Professor Margaret Mutu about the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced today - over a week earlier than its original date.
She also speaks to lecturer at the University of Auckland and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi, about the nationwide hīkoi planned for the week the Bill was originally meant to be introduced.
The new rodeo season commenced this past Sunday the 3rd of November, and animal rights organisation SAFE is calling for a ban on this sport.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall spoke to Sasha about these rodeo events, stating that they breach the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act. There are many other issues with the rodeo sport industry, as for example it is not necessary for the organisations to report deaths or injuries unless requested.
Since its inception in 2008, the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (or ETS) has been, according to the government, its primary tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the climate crisis. As part of the scheme, the government sets a price for carbon units, which companies must pay to offset their emissions. The Climate Change Commission has recently highlighted that the scheme was not stable and susceptible to changes in the market, and did not have sufficient carbon units to last until 2030, requiring urgent reform.
For Green World, Wire producer Liam spoke with Scott Burnett, the Regional Conservation Manager for the top of the South Island and Forest and Bird’s climate spokesperson about why Forest and Bird has called the system broken, what impact this has on Aotearoa and what reforms should be implemented.
Last week, NZ First MP and Government Minister Shane Jones was criticised over using derogatory language towards Indian Immigrants. These comments were condemned by the National Party and Christopher Luxon, who labelled NZ First’s belief system as ‘anti-immigrant’, and saidd Jones was ‘scaremongering’.
That was not the extent of criticism between NZ First and National, however, with tensions between the two sparking after NZ First Leader Winston Peters calling out Luxon for not giving coalition partners prior notice of his confidence vote during a national party caucus meeting last week. In turn, these comments have been dismissed, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Luxon accused NZ First and Peters of putting Labour Governments, like Arderns, into power. Despite all of this, however, Peters has insisted the coalition is as stable as a ‘three-legged stool’.
Last week also saw the Treasury announce that they would revisit their forecasts for the economy ahead of the impending government budget. The Government also announced some changes to the way Infrastructure is run by the government, giving more power to the Independent Infrastructure Commission, increasing their oversight and changing the way that Ministers receive advice and information.
This week, Host Alex spoke with National MP Ryan Hamilton about these developments, beginning with Shane Jones’ comments.
Despite a tenuous ceasefire, the fuel crisis - resulting from the US and Israel bombing of Iran, and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz - drags on. Prices have remained high, hitting low-income households hard, and while fuel stocks in or on-the-way to the country sit comfortably above a month’s cover, approaches to conserving fuel remain front-of-mind for many.
One strategy that New Zealanders have been urged to adopt is switching to public transport, which would put fewer cars on the road. However, access is often dependent on location and affordability.
Over the past few years, the Ministry of Education has reviewed numerous rural school bus routes, cancelling some, cutting off students from ready access to their education.
For this week’s Get Action, producer Theo spoke to Alicia Hall from Parents for Climate Aotearoa, on their petition to restore rural school bus routes and make public transport free for children, and students under 25.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here.
Last week, the Green Party leaders, Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick, hosted their state of the planet address, where they launched their call to electrify the nation.
On top of that, events this week have led the party to criticise the government. The first critique, instigated by the floods that swept the nation, hitting the Coromandel and causing a state of emergency in the Wellington Region, led the Greens to question the government's decreased funding of flood responses as harsh weather increases.
The second critique came with a cabinet paper this week that shows the government is planning on moving ahead with reforms to legislation that will see references to the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi redefined, in what the government sez is about ‘standardisation’ but what the Green Party sees as dishonouring Te Tiriti.
So for our weekly catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March, we discuss their criticisms of the government but start with a discussion of their electrification policy.
Last week, fuel stocks in the country went down by three or four days across each fuel type. The government recognised this as not enough to change to phase two in the national fuel plan, drawing some concerned comments from the political opposition around the state of our stocks, and when the government plans to actually move up phases.
Following a week that saw both Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon comment on the state of the Strait of Hormuz, and the way the United States has handled the ongoing conflict, Willis also travelled to the US to meet with White House advisors.
This week, Host Alex spoke with National MP Ryan Hamilton about these fuel crisis developments, and what the government’s approach going forward may look like.
To start our discussion, however, we spoke briefly about the confidence in Christopher Luxon’s Leadership.
Earlier this week, Councillor Julie Fairey moved a resolution to investigate Auckland Council’s involvement with companies that are complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
And this week, Auckland Council launched an AI virtual assistant to report issues such as graffiti, roaming dogs, and noise complaints.
For City Counselling, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown announced the signing of a new ‘City Deal’.
The deal will see closer partnership between the central government and Auckland Council, coordinating planning in areas such as infrastructure and transportation.
The deal will see a long-term partnership between the government and council, with regular meetings and cooperation on strategies for innovation and transportation, with reviews of sporting venues such as Eden Park and the Auckland Tennis Centre.
However, the deal has been critiqued by some as being a collection of promises without any new funding.
So for our weekly catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March, he and producer Theo discussed the signing of the Auckland City Deal, and how the Green Party would work with Auckland Council on issues such as transportation and infrastructure.
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