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.
Hanna Thompson spoke to Te Pati Māori's Takutai Kemp about their petition to remove the British Monarchy as our head of state, and former Labour MP Meka Whaitiri joining Te Pati Māori.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to ACT’s Karen Chhour about Kiwirail track infrastructure problems, the Ute Tax, and ACT’s stance on calls for Aotearoa to become a republic.
And Vaccinologist at the University of Auckland Helen Petousois-Harris about her concerns Aotearoa could have a measles outbreak.
Caeden Tipler spoke to InsideOut’s Awhi Marshall and Waipapa Taumata Rau’s John Fenaughty on The Disinformation Project’s latest report on Transphobia in Aotearoa.
Nicholas, Lindstrom spoke to Lewis Holden from the New Zealand Republic campaign about why they believe Aotearoa should become a republic, and Graeme Edgeler, an expert in constitutional law, about the legal implications and processes of becoming a republic
The Disinformation Project released a report last week which confirmed that since Posie Parker's arrival in Aotearoa in late March, there has been an increase in anti-trans hate in far right circles.
Caeden spoke to Awhi Marshall (Te Arawa, Tainui) who is a student and InsideOut Kōaro board member on her perspective on the report as a trans and takatāpui person with experience in this space. Awhi uses she/they pronouns.
Caeden also spoke John Fenaughty, a cis (he/him) Senior Lecturer in Counselling, Human Services and Social Work at Waipapa Taumata Rau the University of Auckland. John spoke on anti-trans discrimination and the role of academics in gathering this data. Here are these interviews.
On the Rāpare Wire this week, Spike speaks to:
- Labour MP Andrew Little on his trip to Gallipoli for ANZAC Day and more NZDF support for Ukraine
- Dr. George Laking on Australia's move to prescription-only vape products
- and Alec Toleafoa on the history of the Dawn Raids and Pasifika migrant labour
and Simon speaks to:
- Shane Henderson on Council budget submissions and the integrated transport plan for City Counselling
- Dr. Kris Roy on building back better after Cyclone Gabrielle and reducing waste in the construction industry
- and Marnie Prickett, 95bFM's Water Reporter, on regional freshwater policy
Marnie Prickett is an expert on fresh water and is BFM's water reporter. For this month's chat Marnie goes in depth on the regional plans for the new fresh water policy that council's are discussing around the country at the moment. Marnie highlights why this policy is important and why everyone should submit their opinions to local councils. She also discusses the health of lakes in Taranaki. Marnie began by discussing regional freshwater policy and the impact it will have on our waterways.
In the wake of cyclone gabrielle, the way that we build back from the widespread damage caused is a topic of debate. Safety needs to be ensured, and environmental considerations are also important. But how do we merge these two issues? With around 50% of all waste in the country coming from the building and demolition industries, more needs to be done to reuse materials. Dr. Kris Roy is a senior lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Waikato and is an expert on the circular economy and has spoken about 'building back better'. Simon began by asking Dr. Roy what it means to build back better.
Emilia chats to Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw about the Emissions Trading Scheme following advice from the Climate Change Commission.
Andre talks to Anti-AUKUS Coalition member, John Richards, and Dr Arama Rata about the anti-AUKUS protest outside of Parliament last week and Nanaia Mahuta’s comments on Newshub Nation about AUKUS.
On The Green Desk, Jack Marshall interviews Julie Dillip from the University of Victoria about the state of Aotearoa’s wetlands.
Nicholas spoke to Professor Craig Elliffe about the IRD wealth tax reports and its implications on our tax system.
Arno speaks to Kelly Burrowes, from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, about prescription-model vaping
Arno also speaks to Richard Easther, astrophysicist at the University of Auckland, about the Euclid space mission
Slated for a July launch, the Euclid satellite will scan the depths of the universe in order to help astronomers and other scientists better understand physics and the origins of the universe.
The two tonne satellite will be launched on a SpaceX rocket, and it features two sets of imaging equipment capable of taking photos of parts of the universe 10 billion years old.
Arno spoke to Richard Easther, University of Auckland astrophysicist about the Euclid satellite. Arno started by asking him what astronomers hope to uncover.
Vaping policy has become a hot topic, with New Zealand set to introduce restrictions on traditional tobacco products. The government yesterday announced it would not be making vaping prescription-only this parliamentary term.
Overseas, some countries have already banned flavoured vapes outright.
Kelly Burrowes has been researching the health effects of vaping and its effects on society from her post at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Arno started off the interview with Kelly by asking if politicians were beating around the bush.
Last week the IRD released a comprehensive report on the taxation of the wealthiest New Zealanders.
The findings sparked outrage as it was reported that the wealthiest New Zealanders pay an effective tax rate that was half that of median income earners.
But what is an effective tax rate? And what repercussions will this unprecedented report have on New Zealand’s tax system?
Nicholas sat down with Professor Craig Elliffe, a former member of the NZ Tax working group and a professor of Tax law at The University of Auckland.
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
95bFM 
