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.
Local elections wrapped up this Saturday across the country with Auckland recording the lowest turnout in decades. However, as councilors and local board members settle in for the next term, Thursday Wire Producer Sanat talked to Shane Henderson about how leaders from across our city step up and campaign for these elections, what his community is looking forward to over the next term and what sort of reforms he wants to pursue to stem this decline in local democracy.
Only 32.6% of eligible voters voted in local elections, the worst turnout in 36 years.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza.
And politicians across the house have criticised Te Pāti Māori for the confusing infighting between members that has played out over the past few days.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these issues.
Earlier this month, the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture visited Aotearoa for the first time since 2013. The delegation made a range of unannounced visits to facilities such as prisons, police stations, and youth justice and protection residencies.
The end of visit observations included a repeated emphasis on strengthening investment in and utility of our National Preventative Mechanism - the collective of Aotearoa’s independent statutory organisations tasked with advancing the kaupapa to keep detained people safe.
The subcommittee’s final report will be delivered to Aotearoa’s government, which is then up to government discretion whether the document is made public.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Meg de Ronde, CEO of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Human Rights Commission) - the coordinating body of the National Preventative Mechanism - about the subcommittee's statements.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is celebrating a landmark moment for women’s health today as the Government officially extends breast screening nationwide to women aged up to 74.
After campaigning for eight years to increase the screening age limit from 69 to 74, the Foundation’s Chair, Justine Smyth, says the national roll-out marks a significant victory for early detection.
“A woman’s risk of breast cancer is actually higher at 70 than it is at 50, which is why we campaigned so hard to get the age limit raised,” Justine says.
“Thanks to the extension, more women will have the chance to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. And early detection means less invasive treatment, faster recovery, and most importantly – more lives saved.”
Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to Justine about the changes, what they mean for families and communities across the country, their advocacy journey and the next steps for Breast Cancer awareness.
The Science System Advisory Group headed by Sir Peter Gluckman, released its second report yesterday detailing new proposals for New Zealand’s science and innovation eco system.
As a part of this report and the Government’s response, a massive shakeup of the funding regime has been announced with the establishment of “Research funding New Zealand’ a new independent board that will replace most existing decision makers across science.
At the same time, this report outlines a clear lack of investment, funding and strategic leadership in terms of how New Zealand’s science ecosystem can solve problems that benefit all New Zealanders beyond short term economic growth.
Te Punaha Matatini is a research institute trying to solve the complex and wicked problems of the 21st century in Aotearoa. Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke with their co-director Markus Luckas-Roeshe about these announcements and what the future of New Zealand’s science eco-system needs to look like.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Shanan Halbert about the local elections turn-out, the ceasefire in Gaza, and the infighting in Te Pāti Māori.
On City Counselling this week, Producer Sanat spoke to freshly elected councilor Shane Henderson about his campaign and what he’s most looking forward to over the next three years.
He also spoke to Justine Smythe, chair of the Breast Cancer Foundation about the extension of free mammogram screenings to women up to 74 year olds.
Lastly, he had a conversation with Te Punaha Matatini’s Co-Director Markus Luczak-Roesch about the Science System Advisory Group’s latest report and changes to New Zealand’s science research funding regime.
And Producer Jasmine spoke with Meg de Ronde, CEO of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Human Rights Commission), on the mahi and obligations of Aotearoa as signatories to the UN Subcommitee on the Prevention of Torture, in light of their visit earlier this month.
Following on from my chat with MP Ricardo Menendez March, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with Ritesh Shah, a Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies and Education and the Co-Director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at the University of Auckland, about the most recent ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.
This comes following reports of Israeli soldiers having shot and killed nine Palestinians returning to their homes following the ceasefire.
US President, Donald Trump, has warned that if Hamas do not disarm, the US will “disarm them”.
Joel spoke to Shah about this topic and whether this ceasefire will stick.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the government’s downgrade of methane targets, the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and the country’s oceans warming 34% faster than the global average.
For this weeks Get Action Producer Manny speaks to The chair of the Public Issues for the Association of Psycho therapists, Rick Williment, on the open letter from Mental Health Professionals calling on the New Zealand Government to act on Palestine
Joel spoke to Ritesh Shah, a Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies and Education and the Co-Director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at the University of Auckland, about the most recent ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel and whether it will stick.
Manny spoke to the Chief Executive of Retail New Zealand Carolyn Young about the government's plans to ban stores passing on the contactless pay wave fee
Tuesday WireHost Sara also attended the Auckland Central World Homeless Day event on Friday, and spoke with Lifewise director Pam Elgar.
Earlier this week, the Government announced science-based biogenic methane targets for 2050, in what they say will provide farmers and exporters with a clear pathway to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and trade competitiveness.
Following Cabinet approval, the target will be set at a range of 14–24 per cent below 2017 levels by 2050, reflecting the findings of the independent Methane Science Review released in 2024.
For our weekly catch-up with The Green Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about this topic.
They also discussed the most recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and recent findings from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ showing Aotearoa’s oceans are warming 34% faster than the global average.
But first, they discussed the Government’s changes to methane targets.
On Friday last week, a range of organisations who provide services to the homeless population in Auckland and across New Zealand came together for a World Homeless Day event in the CBD.
Tuesday Wire Host Sara attended the event, and spoke with Lifewise Executive Chair, Pam Elgar about the kaupapa of the day.
Tāmaki Makaurau’s council budget is among those impacted by the proposal of a rates cap, considering Tāmaki’s average 5.8% annual rates increase across the 25/26 financial year.
Youth homelessness is a growing concern as discussions continue around “move on” orders for those without housing in Auckland’s CBD.
And the Skycity Convention Centre is set to open in 2026, with high hopes for what it may bring for Tāmaki Makaurau after its prolonged development.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Counsellor Fairey about these topics.
The Trump administration has caused issues of significant food waste due to a range of its policies, including immigration raids, tariffs, cuts to food assistance programmes, and the destruction of food for programmes like USAID.
This has had huge consequences, including environmental impacts, as well as impacts on the estimated more than 47 million people in the US who don’t have enough food to eat, and those who have relied on US foreign aid that has been cut.
For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Garrett Graddy-Lovelace, Provost Associate Professor in Environment, Development & Health at American University, about these issues.
Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!
Christmas Lights at MOTAT - experience Auckland’s most magical Christmas lights - heritage trams, festive music, Santa visits, and thousands of sparkling lights Tickets at motat.nz
Recently, the government has announced some major reforms to how regional councils operate, with regional councillors proposed to be replaced by boards made up of city and regional mayors, and potentially even Crown-appointed representatives, called combined territories boards, or CTBs.
As well as this, Health Minister, Simeon Brown, has called for the decentralisation of Health New Zealand, with the expectation that the entity focuses on deliveries closer to the front-line, additionally expecting a plan to do so by the end of the year.
For our weekly catch up with the National Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to MP Stuart Smith about these topics, starting with the regional council.
From today until the 4th of December, a conference will be held in Queenstown that will look into pest management and how best to protect native species.
The event not only brings experts in the sector from Aotearoa, but will also involve Australian experts as well.
Tuesday Wire Host Sara spoke to Dr Sze-Wing Yiu, a Wildlife Ecologist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, about this week’s conference, and what to expect.
The government has recently announced some major reforms to how regional councils operate, with regional councillors proposed to be replaced by boards made up of city and regional mayors, and potentially even Crown-appointed representatives, called combined territories boards, or CTBs.
The ‘shake-up’ of regional councils has left concerns that the move would water down environmental regulations at a local level, reduce Māori and iwi voices in decision making, and would result in central government overreaching into local politics.
As well as this, Parliament’s Justice Committee has recommended passing the Electoral Amendment Bill, albeit with some amendments
For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about both of these topics, starting with the changes to regional councils.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announced the government’s release of the new social housing investment plan which aims to shift to a “needs-based, data driven approach”.
The new flexible fund includes $41 million dollars in operating funding over the next four years, and the government have stated they expect to support up to 770 social homes and affordable rentals in the initial phase.
As well, Health Minister Simeon Brown last week announced a Cabinet decision to stop new prescriptions for puberty blockers for young people identifying as trans or experiencing gender dysphoria.
The rule, in effect from 19th of December, is based on recommendations from a UK National Health Service review which determined that the evidence to the benefits or risks of the treatment was “remarkably weak”.
The government is expected to pause new prescriptions until the outcome of a clinical trial being conducted in the UK, expected to be completed in 2031.
Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, firstly by asking about the flexible fund which will replace the so-called ‘patchwork of programmes’ in place for social housing.
Christmas Lights at MOTAT - experience Auckland’s most magical Christmas lights - heritage trams, festive music, Santa visits, and thousands of sparkling lights Tickets at MOTAT.NZ.
Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!
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