Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Well-being Commission released a report earlier this month about Pasifika’s mental health and well-being both during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report highlights inequities Pasifika experienced during the pandemic and reflects on united Pasifika communities in the name of remaining resilient in adverse circumstances. In the report, there are key points that emphasise systemic inequities in regard to mental health support for Pasifika. The commission's findings reinforce the strong values-based relationships Pasifika have with others. Although the underlying call for more mental health and well-being support for the Pasifika community remains.
To talk more about the report, its findings, and what recommendations can be made for targeted support and reform Andre Fa'aoso spoke to Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of the Mental Health and Well-being Commission.
Last week Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to thirty-seven charges related to the handling and possession of classified US documents at his Florida estate in Mar-a-Lago.
Trump is also facing trials in New York, Georgia, and Virginia in relation to fraud, election interference and an inquiry into the role he played in the January 6th insurrection. To talk more about Trump’s legal woes, Andre Fa'aoso spoke to Scott Optican, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland.
Emilia has our weekly catch-up with Green Party co-leader James Shaw, this week they’re chatting about the proposed reforms to the emissions trading scheme.
On the Green Desk, Jack Marshall talks to Paul Naske, CEO of Rua Bioscience about their medical marijuana farming operations on the East Coast and how it is bringing jobs to the local economy in the aftermath of the cyclone.
Andre Fa’aoso speaks to Scott Optican, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland about Donald Trump’s federal and state legal woes in the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential election.
Andre also spoke to Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission about a report released earlier this month detailing Pacific well-being in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Hannah speaks to Te Pati Māori’s Takutai Kemp about bilingual road signs and the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle land categorisation in Hawke's Bay on Petane Marae whanau.
Arno speaks with dietitian and University of Auckland professor Andrea Braakhuis about Jenny Craig shutting down and the wider implications for dieting and healthy eating overall.
Last week, secondary school teacher strikes resumed after the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) voted to decline a pay offer from the Ministry of Education. Bargaining continues amongst PPTA and the Ministry of Education, as many parents and students alike have joined in on protests in hopes to return to the classroom.
Camilla Highfield is the Deputy Dean for the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work. Wire producer Rosetta spoke with Camilla about where she thinks the strikes are going, why they're important, and what change our teachers need to feel more supported.
Welcome to the Tuesday Wire! This week on the show:
On Dear Science, Allan Blackman joins to talk dead flies, space brain and the size of the earth.
Milly has her weekly catch up with Dr Shane Reti where they talk about National’s proposed tougher consequences for gang members, Te Ara Oranga and the use of memes by political parties.
Milly also speaks to Aphiphany Forward-Taua from Just Speak on National’s crackdown on crime.
Beth speaks to Hema Sridhar, Strategic Advisor for Technological Futures at Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, about social cohesion in Aotearoa.
And Rosetta speaks to Camilla Highfield, Deputy Dean at the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work, about the secondary school teachers strikes.
This week for her weekly catchup with Dr Shane Reti, Milly speaks to him about National's new policy surrounding being tougher on gang members, she also covers the world-class methanphetamine recovery programme Te Ara Oranga, and finally she touches on the use of memes in political social media.
Recently Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures has released a discussion paper on social cohesion in Aotearoa. This week on the Tuesday Wire, Beth spoke to Hema Sridhar about how technology is influencing social cohesion in New Zealand.
ACT Party Leader David Seymour made a comment comparing Palestine's right to defend itself against Israel with China's treatment of Uyghurs, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
For our regular catch-up witht the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins asked Court about these comments, and why ACT has taken a stance against the Palestinian community.
We Back our Kaiako is a new student-led group which has formed to support the teacher strikes. They’re based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and will be protesting outside Parliament on Wednesday to show their support of the Post Primary Teachers Association.
Caeden had a kōrero with their spokesperson Kay about why they’ve organised this protest and what their demands are. More info can be found on their instagram @backourkaiako
ACT Party Leader David Seymour has accused RNZ of “propaganda” and “Palestinian-friendly” framing.
These comments came after pro-kremlin edits were found in RNZ’s coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Palestinian New Zealander and descendant of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni. Shaltoni firstly provided some background into Israel's unlawful occupation of the West Bank. He also shared why Seymour's comments are concerning and his message to western media and political figures.
She also heard from John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about his criticism of New Zealand and other western media's coverage of Israel's treatment of Palestine.
The Healthcare exec Brian Thompson was shot dead by a masked assailant last week.
The crime has gained significant controversy and attention online, with many using it to restart the debate on the inequities of the United States healthcare system.
And this week Yale University was the latest college to commit to divesting from weapons manufacturing after a student vote.
For State of the States this week Wire Host Caeden speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about both of these topics.
The government as announced their plan for the Cook Strait ferry a year after they scrapped Labour’s plan, including cancelling the ferries the Labour government had ordered.
And a new report from the Ministry of Social Development has revealed nearly a quarter of beneficiaries are not receiving their correct entitlements.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.
For City Counselling this week, producer Sofia caught up with Councillor Shane Henderson about proposed time-of-use charging to solve congestion problems in Tāmaki and Council selling their remaining Auckland Airport shares last week.
The Green party recently released He Ara Anamata - the Green party’s emissions reduction plan.
The document covers more than 10 areas of the economy and energy Sector that a Greens-led government would be looking to adapt to minimise carbon emissions and protect the natural landscapes of Aotearoa.
It also comes 5 months after the government released their own draft emissions plan. Numerous experts pointed out that the government is behind on their own plan’s targets to meet the crucial emissions budget for 2031-2035.
For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the party’s new emissions reduction plan and how they would address climate and the economy in a greens-led government.
Last election, one of the National Party’s main campaign promises was to be ‘tough on crime’, promising to increase police coverage and penalties for crimes. A target was set to increase the number of police officers by 500 by November 2025, however some police leaders today say this goal is unrealistic.
The government also announced this week some shakeups to insulation standards, which they say should make houses more affordable.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about police staffing targets and new insulation standards.
This week on Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about what latrines teach us about people, climate variation affecting Chinese dynasties, and invasive species becoming threatened.
Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!
Last week it was revealed that two of the ten participants in the government's pilot bootcamp programme were on the run.
The youth were two months into the community rehabilitation phase of the programme, following the three month youth justice residence phase. Both teens were found in the weekend, but had allegedly reoffended, and are now set to come before the court.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, who have been heavily advocating for this programme, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about this incident.
She also talks to him about proposed changes to employment law which would give employers the power to dismiss workers earning over $180,000 without the employee refuting the decision.
And finally, she talks to him about David Seymour’s incumbent run as Deputy Prime Minister, which is set to begin in May of next year.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about changes to Auckland Transport’s responsibilities, nationwide bus and train fare hikes, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link.
For State of the States this week, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Andre Fa'aoso from the Yale Daily News about President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, who was due to be sentenced next week for three felony charges.
They also discuss Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, who is the latest in a long list of unorthodox picks for government positions from Trump
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