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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.

Auckland Library Cuts w/ Duane Leo: 23 March, 2023

Auckland Library Cuts w/ Duane Leo: 23 March, 2023 Auckland Library Cuts w/ Duane Leo: 23 March, 2023, 9.83 MB
Thu 23 Mar 2023

The proposed cuts are set to affect many public services, including the city's libraries. Duane Leo is the National Secretary for The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Simon spoke with Duane about the funding of public services and the broad range of people that use them. Simon began by asking Duane why libraries are important to the community.

Auckland Transport Cuts w/ Dr. Tim Welch: March 23, 2023

Auckland Transport Cuts w/ Dr. Tim Welch: March 23, 2023 Tim Welch: March 23, 2023, 19.03 MB
Thu 23 Mar 2023

Public transport has been particularly strained in Auckland recently, with the proposed budget looking to limit services to their current levels, and reducing total bus trips overall. Spike speaks to urban planning researcher Dr. Tim Welch about the current state of public transit, and the cuts proposed by the Council. 

Stop The Cuts Arts and Culture Survey w/ Elyssia Wilson-Heti: March 23, 2023

Stop The Cuts Arts and Culture Survey w/ Elyssia Wilson-Heti: March 23, 2023 Stop The Cuts Arts and Culture Survey w/ Elyssia Wilson-Heti: March 23, 2023, 21.17 MB
Thu 23 Mar 2023

Community group Stop the Cuts has just released their findings from a survey of over a thousand people in the Auckland arts and culture sector, asking them how they predict they'll be affected by the currently proposed Council budget cuts. Spike speaks to Elyssia Wilson-Heti from the group about the survey. 

Arts Funding w/ Ruth Buchanan: March 23, 2023

Arts Funding w/ Ruth Buchanan: 23 March, 2023 Arts Funding w/ Ruth Buchanan: 23 March, 2023, 14.96 MB
Thu 23 Mar 2023

Ruth Buchanan is an Auckland based artist and the Kaitohu Director at Artspace Aotearoa. Simon spoke with Ruth about the role council funding plays in making art more accessible and how council funding helps support the arts ecosystem here in Auckland.

Light Pollution from Satellites w/ Richard Easther: 22 March, 2023

Light Pollution from Satellites w/ Richard Easther: 22 March, 2023 Light Pollution from Satellites w/ Richard Easther: 22 March, 2023, 13.56 MB
Wed 22 Mar 2023

Scientists have been calling for a ban for light-polluting mass satellite groups like Elon Musk’s Starlink for some time now, and a series of papers and opinion pieces published in the journal Nature Astronomy have echoed these calls. Scientists are concerned that the light pollution from these so-called megaconstellations make it difficult to view objects in space for research, to see the stars at night, and to detect potentially hazardous meteors heading towards Earth.  

Arno spoke to University of Auckland astrophysicist Professor Richard Easther to find out more about the call to regulate mass satellite groups.

Ramadan Smoking Cessation w/ Abdullah Kalantan: 22 March, 2023

Ramadan Smoking Cessation w/ Abdullah Kalantan: 22 March, 2023 Ramadan Smoking Cessation w/ Abdullah Kalantan: 22 March, 2023, 14.69 MB
Wed 22 Mar 2023

Collaborators at several universities are testing a new faith-based smoking cessation method around the tradition of Ramadan and Muslim culture. Studies show Muslim men have high smoking rates, and this study seeks to implement a cessation method for the next Ramadan. 

Arno spoke to Abdullah (Dilla) Kalantan, a doctoral researcher at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, to find out more about this project. Arno started by asking what the role of religion was in quitting smoking.

Wireless Charging Roads w/ Doug Wilson: March 22, 2023

Wireless Charging Roads w/ Doug Wilson: March 22, 2023 Wireless Charging Roads w/ Doug Wilson: March 22, 2023, 23.96 MB
Wed 22 Mar 2023

In the pursuit of meeting emissions reduction targets, the transition to electric vehicles is seeming like a bit of a necessity. 

With battery range and charging stations a worry for EV owners, the government and research organisations from around the world are banding together to come up with new solutions to instil confidence in EV fleets.

Andre Fa’aoso spoke to Doug Wilson, Director of the Transportation Research Centre at the University of Auckland. 

The research facility based in the Faculty of Engineering is designing and testing the possibilities of wireless charging roads in Aotearoa to remedy range anxiety for EV owners. 

The partnership between Downer and the University of Auckland has been tasked with testing the resilience and application of this technology on our roads.

Andre started off by asking Doug about what this technology is and how it works.

In a follow up statement, Doug shared the idea of ‘power snacking’. 

Doug says that power snacking “is very different to the current need to carry around a tank full of gas or a very large and heavy battery that takes longer to charge. For example, if you can charge your ‘EV on the go’ (at your origin, destination and on the way dynamically) then you can reduce the size of your battery as range anxiety is removed. This also has the significant environmental benefit of requiring less rare earth minerals (eg. cobalt, nickel and lithium) as the batteries are smaller in size and are also reduced weight.  This can only be done with wireless charging but the wireless EV infrastructure will need to be in place for this to affect potential users purchasing behaviours.”

Cycling to Beat Congestion W/ Cleve Cameron of Locky Docks: 22 March, 2023

Cycling to Beat Congestion W/ Cleve Cameron of Locky Docks: 22 March, 2023 Cycling to Beat Congestion W/ Cleve Cameron of Locky Docks: 22 March, 2023, 14.93 MB
Wed 22 Mar 2023

Congestion in the city centre last night held up vehicle traffic and delayed buses for up to an hour. This morning a number of organisations paid for a front page wrap around ad in the Herald promoting cycling.

Alex talked to Big Street Bikers' Cleve Cameron about how enabling cycling in the city might unclog the streets so everyone can get around quickly, cheaply and efficiently. 

Campus Watch w/ AUSA President Alan Shaker: 22 March, 2023

Campus Watch w/ AUSA President Alan Shaker: 22 March, 2023 Campus Watch w/ AUSA President Alan Shaker: 22 March, 2023, 7.71 MB
Wed 22 Mar 2023

For their monthly catch-up News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Auckland University Students Association (AUSA) President Alan Shaker about their Safe Zone’s initiative with the Auckland Council, which ran during University orientation week, how disruptions to the Auckland Transport network since the start of the semester has affected students ability to travel to and from campus, issues with University of Auckland infrastructure, particularly Wi-Fi connection issues, and students waiting up to three hours to access student services. 

The Wire With Jessica: 22 March, 2023

The Wire With Jessica: 22 March, 2023 The Wire With Jessica: 22 March, 2023 , 70.93 MB
Wed 22 Mar 2023

On The Wire for Rāapa Wednesday...

Emilia Sullivan interviewed Green Party co-leader James Shaw about a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shows we only have a small window remaining to avoid the planet warming 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

For their monthly catch-up News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Auckland University Students Association (AUSA) President Alan Shaker about how Auckland Transport disruptions are affecting students and more for their monthly catch-up.

And National Coordinator of Gender Minorities Aotearoa, Ahi Wi-Hongi, discussed anti-trans campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, aka Posie Parker, being allowed to enter Aotearoa to hold a transphobic event in Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend.

Alex Bonham spoke to Cleve Cameron from Big Street Bikers about avoiding congestion by embracing cycling.

Andre Andre Fa'aoso talked to Doug Wilson from the University of Auckland about wireless charging roads.

Arno spoke to doctoral researcher Abdullah Kalantan from the University of Auckland about a new smoking cessation project during the month of Ramadan. 

And University of Auckland astrophysicist Richard Easther discussed light pollution from Starlink and other satellites.

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