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.
Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the government’s quarter three action and plan and Labour’s renewed Auckland strategy.
They speak to Quack Pirihi from Mana Āniwaniwa about the upcoming World Suicide Prevention conference.
And they speak to Councillor Shane Henderson about Long Term Plan passing and the end of the Auckland regional fuel tax.
And for The Wire's special 4th of July edition...
Caeden speaks to the University of Auckland Professor of History Jennifer Frost about recent high-profile decisions from the United States Supreme Court.
And Wednesday Wire Host Oto speaks to Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland Stephen Hoadley about replacing President Biden with another candidate, such as Governor of California Gavin Newsom.
The Supreme Court of the United States has reached international news for recent, controversial judgements. This includes for granting Trump immunity for his role in the January 6th insurrection, and the overturning of Chevron which could have huge consequences for things like environmental protection laws.
These decisions are part of a recent series of Supreme Court decisions that overturn decades of judicial and legislative progress from the 20th Century, infamously including Roe v Wade in 2022.
Wire Host Caeden speaks about these recent, and longer-term decisions, from SCOTUS with University of Auckland History Professor Jennifer Frost.
They started by asking why the recent SCOTUS rulings are so significant.
The coalition government recently announced it’s action plan for Q3 of 2024, Introducing 40 new laws under the categories of Infrastructure, Public Services, law and order.
For their weekly Catchup, Oto spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the party’s opinion on the action plan and it’s effectiveness. We started the interview by discussing the areas of the plan focusing on law and order.
A new poll has highlighted that 82% of National voters said it was important to them to protect lakes, rivers, and drinking water. 54% cited specific concerns for nitrate contamination in water.
This is despite proposed Government rollbacks on fresh water protection, which Greenpeace claims will lead to “more polluted lakes, more unswimmable rivers, more contaminated drinking water, and more extinction.”
Caeden spoke with Greenpeace’s Will Applebe about why there is such a disconnect between what voters are saying in polls versus what the Government is actually doing.
For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about the government’s recent Q3 action plan for 2024.
He spoke to Professor Bob Hancox, Medical Director for the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation to discuss Australia’s new vape laws and his calls to the New Zealand government to tackle the youth vaping epidemic.
And he spoke to professor Chris Ogden, also from the University of Auckland, to discuss the recent general elections in India.
Caden spoke to Greenpeace’s Will Applebe about the government rolling back fresh water protections despite their strong public support
Castor spoke to President of the New Zealand Council for Trade Unions, Richard Wagstaff, about a new law disallowing private contractors from challenging their employment through the courts
Last month, the 2024 Indian general elections were held, leading to the third re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
To many, the re-election of Modi signals the rise of Hindu nationalism in Indian society and the country’s shift towards theocracy and authoritarianism.
Associate Professor and Director of Global Studies in the University of Auckland Faculty of Arts, Chris Ogden, talked to us about the significance of Modi’s election victory and why we should be keeping a closer eye on the world’s largest democracy.
Australia recently passed new legislation regarding the sale of e-cigarettes, only allowing those over the age of 18 to purchase them from pharmacies and requiring those under the age 18 to have a prescription to buy them.
Discussing the new legislation with the Wire, Bob Hancox, Medical Director of the Asthma and Respiratory foundation, said that the government of New Zealand should look into implementing similar policies, and do more overall to combat the youth vaping epidemic here in Aotearoa.
On the night of the 21st of June, the Aratere Interislander ferry was grounded due to a steering issue. The interislander currently operates as an informal part of State Highway One, and as such is crucial to freight deliveries in the South Island.
The previous Labour government had planned investments in a further two ferries and terminals, which were cancelled under the current government, with finance minister Nicola Willis calling the proposal a search for “Ferraris” instead of using the trusty “Toyota Corolla”, in this case the grounded Aratere. The government was met with criticism for this decision, and has been called on to provide an alternative during their term.
The government also recently increased the alcohol levy for the first time since 2009. The alcohol levy funds measures to reduce alcohol related harm, and as of the changes will sit at $16.6 million.
An independent review recommended that the fund be increased to $37 million, with a minimum increase to $21.5 Million to account for inflation. For context, this would translate to a 1.1 cent increase to an average can of beer and an 8 cent increase to the average bottle of wine.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Hamish Campbell about the future of the interislander ferry and increases to the alcohol levy.
For Dear Science this week, we chatted with Doctor Cushla McGoverin about rifleman making new noises, Antarctic ice melting, and news in quantum computing.
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Hamish Campbell about the future of the Interislander ferry following the crash of the Aratere and the recently increased alcohol levy.
And producer Elle spoke to Senior Lecturer of Urban Planning Dr Timothy Welch about the long term planning implications of the axed regional fuel tax.
Care and Support workers, many of whom are working disability and elderly care, will be rallying across the Motu to call on the Government to fund a pay equity settlement for the sector.
Oto to Rachel Mackintosh from E Tu Union, representing care and support workers and organising the rally with PSA and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, to talk about the upcoming rallies and the demands of workers in the sector.
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
95bFM 
