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The Wire

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.

The Wire w/ Spike: June 8, 2023

The Wire w/ Spike: June 8, 2023 The Wire w/ Spike: June 8, 2023, 103.01 MB
Thu 8 Jun 2023

Kia ora, and welcome to The Wire for Rāpare Thursday!

Spike speaks to:

- Labour MP Andrew Little about his visit to the Shangri-La Indo-Pacific defense summit, and the Taumaru review of intelligence laws and services

- TEU organiser Ben Schmidt about the proposed job cuts at Massey University

- Natalie Vincent from Good Shepherd about the prevalance of Buy Now Pay Later debt

Simon speaks to:

- City Councillor Lotu Fuli on the budget negotiations starting today, abusive emails from Mayor Brown and the much contested sale of airport shares

- Associate Professor Grant Duncan on the new independent electoral review and its recommendations around term limits, prisoner voting rights and the "coattails" rule

- Professor John Townend about the risk of a major earthquake along the Alpine Fault over the next 50 years  

Buy Now Pay Later Debt w/ Natalie Vincent: June 8, 2023

Buy Now Pay Later Debt w/ Natalie Vincent: June 8, 2023 Buy Now Pay Later Debt w/ Natalie Vincent: June 8, 2023, 16.45 MB
Thu 8 Jun 2023

The cost of living crisis has driven many lower-income people and whanau to rely on Buy Now Pay Later services to pay for essential goods. Spike speaks to Natalie Vincent from Good Shepherd about this form of debt and its impacts, especially the debt cycles Good Shepherd is increasingly seeing people get trapped in. 

The Alpine Fault w/ Professor John Townend: 8 June, 2023

The Alpine Fault w/ Professor John Townend: 8 June, 2023 The Alpine Fault w/ Professor John Townend: 8 June, 2023, 18.97 MB
Thu 8 Jun 2023

It has been revealed that the Alpine Fault, which runs down the south island, has a 75% chance of creating a magnitude 8 or stronger earthquake in the next 50 years. Professor John Townend has spent many years studying the fault line to gain a greater understanding of the risks. He began by discussing what he has discovered recently.

Independent Electoral Review w/ Grant Duncan: 8 June, 2023

Independent Electoral Review w/ Grant Duncan: 8 June, 2023 Independent Electoral Review w/ Grant Duncan: 8 June, 2023, 23.3 MB
Thu 8 Jun 2023

This week, a review into the electoral system in Aotearoa was released. The report, titled Independent Electoral Review seeks to make the electoral system clearer, fairer, and more accessible for current and future generations. Associate Professor Grant Duncan teaches politics at Massey University, and he highlighted the major changes the review is suggesting. Simon began by asking him to discuss the recommendation to change the election from every three years to every four.

Massey Uni Job Cuts w/ Ben Schmidt: June 8, 2023

Massey Uni Job Cuts w/ Ben Schmidt: June 8, 2023 Massey Uni Job Cuts w/ Ben Schmidt: June 8, 2023, 12.92 MB
Thu 8 Jun 2023

Spike speaks to Ben Schmidt, an organiser with the Tertiary Education Union, about the staff cuts recently announced at Massey University, and its potential impacts for the institution. 

Auckland Airport shares and Council budget w/ Ian Gordon: 7 June, 2023

Auckland Airport shares and Council budger w/ Ian Gordon: 7 June, 2023 Auckland Airport shares and Council budger w/ Ian Gordon: 7 June, 2023, 16.95 MB
Wed 7 Jun 2023

The Auckland Council budget is holding public services hostage - that was what PSA had to say about Mayor Brown’s Auckland Council budget proposal. On the chopping board in Brown’s budget is the selling of Auckland Council’s stake in Auckland Airport, which has been a consistent revenue stream for the council since Auckland’s district councils merged into the Supercity in 2010. 

Tomorrow, Council members will vote on Mayor Brown’s budget proposal including whether to sell-off Auckland Councils Airport shares. To talk more about what implications the share sell-off could have for public services in Auckland, Andre Fa’aoso spoke with Ian Gordon, PSA National Sector leader for local government. 

Covid Update w/ Epidemiologist Michael Baker

Covid Update w/ Epidemiologist Michael Baker Covid Update w/ Epidemiologist Michael Baker, 14.35 MB
Wed 7 Jun 2023

Michael Baker, University of Otago professor and epidemiologist, joins us today from Oslo, Norway, to talk about the latest updates on Covid in New Zealand, following an article published in the New Zealand Herald on Sunday. 

Although New Zealand has done comparatively well in managing the health crisis, hospital admissions are still high and a number of people are expected to die from Covid this year. 

Arno started the interview by asking Michael if people still needed to be worried by Covid.

 

The Wire w/ Andre: 7 June, 2023

The Wire w/ Andre: 7 June, 2023 The Wire w/ Andre: 7 June, 2023, 88.55 MB
Wed 7 Jun 2023

On the show for Rāapa: 

We have our monthly catch up with the Auckland University Students’ Association, today we speak to Engagement Vice President Folau Tu'inukuafe. 

Andre Fa’aoso speaks to Ian Gordon, from PSA about Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s council budget, and PSAs statement saying that Brown’s budget proposal is holding public services hostage. 

On the Green Desk Jack Marshall speaks to Amanda Thomas, lecturer in environmental studies at the University of Wellington about stopping oil and gas exploration in Aotearoa. 

Alex speaks with Simon Oddie from Eke Panuku and Matt Wheeler from BECA about the proposal for a digital twin of Auckland.

Arno speaks with epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker to provide a COVID-19 update.

A Digital Twin for Auckland w Simon Oddie of Eke Panuku and Matt Wheeler of BECA 7 June 2023

A Digital Twin for Auckland w Simon Oddie of Eke Panuku and Matt Wheeler of BECA 7 June 2023 A Digital Twin for Auckland w Simon Oddie of Eke Panuku and Matt Wheeler of BECA 7 June 2023, 17.25 MB
Wed 7 Jun 2023

Auckland Council urban regeneration agency Eke Panuku, Beca, Koi Tu: the Centre for Informed Futures, the NZ Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga and Ngati Whatua Orakei are making the case for digital twin pilot in Auckland’s city centre. Digital twins already exist in Singapore, London, Wellington and Christchurch. I spoke to Simon Oddie of Eke Panuku and Matt Wheeler about what digital twins are and what opportunities they provide  for productivity, resilience and engagement.

Breast Cancer Screening Age w/ Adele Gautier: 6 June, 2023

Breast Cancer Screening Age w/ Adele Gautier: 6 June, 2023 Breast Cancer Screening Age w/ Adele Gautier: 6 June, 2023 , 11.69 MB
Tue 6 Jun 2023

The Government has released a report in response to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation's petition to raise the age of free access to mammogram screening from 69 to 74. After originally committing to raising the age in 2017, the Government has now backtracked on the promise due to ICT issues at Breast Screening Aotearoa and a shortage of radiologists.

A recent report from the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation says a woman willl lose her life every month because of the decision. Tuesday Wire producer Rosetta Stone spoke to Adele Gautier, New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation's Research and Strategic Programmes Manager, about the consequences of the Government's decision.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 17th December, 2024

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 17th December, 2024 Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 17th December, 2024, 18.51 MB
Tue 17 Dec 2024

For Dear Science this week our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted to us about mealworms eating plastic, spray on tattoos measuring brain activity, and neanderthal-human interbreeding

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and Yale’s student body voting for divestment w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 December, 2024

The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and Yale’s student body voting for divestment w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 December, 2024 The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and Yale’s student body voting for divestment w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 December, 2024, 20.04 MB
Thu 12 Dec 2024

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 new ferry announcement and nearly a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 12 December, 2024

The new ferry announcement and nearly a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 12 December, 2024 The new ferry announcement and nearly a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 12 December, 2024, 17.71 MB
Thu 12 Dec 2024

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.

Time-of-use charges and Auckland Council selling its Auckland Airport shares w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 12th December, 2024

Time-of-use charges and Auckland Council selling its Auckland Airport shares w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 12th December, 2024 Time-of-use charges and Auckland Council selling its Auckland Airport shares w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 12th December, 2024, 12 MB
Thu 12 Dec 2024

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. 

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: December 11th, 2024

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: December 11th, 2024 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: December 11th, 2024, 21.47 MB
Wed 11 Dec 2024

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.

Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024

Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024 Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024, 9.62 MB
Tue 10 Dec 2024

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.

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 10th December, 2024

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 10th December, 2024 Cushla McGoverin: 10th December, 2024, 15.55 MB
Tue 10 Dec 2024

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!

Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024

Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024 Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024 , 16.62 MB
Mon 9 Dec 2024

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.

Changes to Auckland Transport's responsibilities, bus and train fare hikes nationwide, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 5th December, 2024

Changes to Auckland Transport's responsibilities, bus and train fare hikes nationwide, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 5th December, 2024 Changes to Auckland Transport's responsibilities, bus and train fare hikes nationwide, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 5th December, 2024, 20.99 MB
Thu 5 Dec 2024

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. 

President Biden pardoning his son and President-elect Trump’s nominee for FBI Director w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 5 December, 2024

President Biden pardoning his son and President-elect Trump’s nominee for FBI Director w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 5 December, 2024 President Biden pardoning his son and President-elect Trump’s nominee for FBI Director w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 5 December, 2024 , 18.32 MB
Thu 5 Dec 2024

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