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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.

Dieting Trends w/ Professor Andrea Braakhuis, Dietitian: 21 June, 2023

Dieting Trends w/ Professor Andrea Braakhuis, Dietitian: 21 June, 2023 Dieting Trends w/ Professor Andrea Braakhuis, Dietitian: 21 June, 2023, 18.51 MB
Wed 21 Jun 2023

Andrea Braakhuis is a registered dietitian and associate professor of nutrition at the University of Auckland. Arno caught up with her to find out more about Jenny Craig closing, the latest dieting trends, and to find out what works and what a healthy person looks like. 

Listen in to find out more about what you can do to be more healthy, and whether weight loss is necessary to achieve this. 

Arno started the interview by asking to find out a bit more about the weight loss industry.

Pasifika mental health and well-being report w/ Karen Orsborn: 21 June, 2023

Pasifika mental-health and well-being report w/ Karen Orsborn: 21 June, 2023 Pasifika mental-health and well-being report w/ Karen Orsborn: 21 June, 2023, 16.66 MB
Wed 21 Jun 2023

Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Well-being Commission released a report earlier this month about Pasifika’s mental health and well-being both during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The report highlights inequities Pasifika experienced during the pandemic and reflects on united Pasifika communities in the name of remaining resilient in adverse circumstances. In the report, there are key points that emphasise systemic inequities in regard to mental health support for Pasifika. The commission's findings reinforce the strong values-based relationships Pasifika have with others. Although the underlying call for more mental health and well-being support for the Pasifika community remains. 

To talk more about the report, its findings, and what recommendations can be made for targeted support and reform Andre Fa'aoso spoke to Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of the Mental Health and Well-being Commission.

The Wire w/ Andre: 21 June, 2023

The Wire w/ Andre: 21 June, 2023 The Wire w/ Andre: 21 June, 2023, 102.92 MB
Wed 21 Jun 2023

On the Wednesday Wire:

Emilia has our weekly catch-up with Green Party co-leader James Shaw, this week they’re chatting about the proposed reforms to the emissions trading scheme. 

On the Green Desk, Jack Marshall talks to Paul Naske, CEO of Rua Bioscience about their medical marijuana farming operations on the East Coast and how it is bringing jobs to the local economy in the aftermath of the cyclone. 

Andre Fa’aoso speaks to Scott Optican, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland about Donald Trump’s federal and state legal woes in the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential election. 

Andre also spoke to Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission about a report released earlier this month detailing Pacific well-being in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Hannah speaks to Te Pati Māori’s Takutai Kemp about bilingual road signs and the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle land categorisation in Hawke's Bay on Petane Marae whanau.  

Arno speaks with dietitian and University of Auckland professor Andrea Braakhuis about Jenny Craig shutting down and the wider implications for dieting and healthy eating overall. 

Donald Trump not guilty pleas w/ Scott Optican: 21 June, 2023

Donald Trump not guilty pleas w/ Scott Optican: 21 June, 2023 Donald Trump not guilty pleas w/ Scott Optican: 21 June, 2023, 20.21 MB
Wed 21 Jun 2023

Last week Donald Trump pleaded not guilty to thirty-seven charges related to the handling and possession of classified US documents at his Florida estate in Mar-a-Lago. 

Trump is also facing trials in New York, Georgia, and Virginia in relation to fraud, election interference and an inquiry into the role he played in the January 6th insurrection. To talk more about Trump’s legal woes, Andre Fa'aoso spoke to Scott Optican, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland. 

Social cohesion in Aotearoa w/ Hema Sridhar : June 20, 2023

Social cohesion in Aotearoa w/ Hema Sridhar : June 20, 2023 Social cohesion in Aotearoa w/ Hema Sridhar : June 20, 2023 , 19.43 MB
Tue 20 Jun 2023

Recently Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures has released a discussion paper on social cohesion in Aotearoa. This week on the Tuesday Wire, Beth spoke to Hema Sridhar about how technology is influencing social cohesion in New Zealand. 

Gangs, Te Ara Oranga and Memes w/ Dr Shane Reti: June 20, 2023

Gangs, Te Ara Oranga and Memes w/ Dr Shane Reti: June 20, 2023 Gangs, Te Ara Oranga and Memes w/ Dr Shane Reti: June 20, 2023 , 23.9 MB
Tue 20 Jun 2023

This week for her weekly catchup with Dr Shane Reti, Milly speaks to him about National's new policy surrounding being tougher on gang members, she also covers the world-class methanphetamine recovery programme Te Ara Oranga, and finally she touches on the use of memes in political social media. 

Secondary School Teacher Strikes w/ Camilla Highfield: 20 June, 2023

Secondary School Teacher Strikes w/ Camilla Highfield: 20 June, 2023 Secondary School Teacher Strikes w/ Camilla Highfield: 20 June, 2023, 11.66 MB
Tue 20 Jun 2023

Last week, secondary school teacher strikes resumed after the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) voted to decline a pay offer from the Ministry of Education. Bargaining continues amongst PPTA and the Ministry of Education, as many parents and students alike have joined in on protests in hopes to return to the classroom. 

Camilla Highfield is the Deputy Dean for the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work. Wire producer Rosetta spoke with Camilla about where she thinks the strikes are going, why they're important, and what change our teachers need to feel more supported.  

The Wire w/ Milly : June 20, 2023

The Wire w/ Milly : June 20, 2023 The Wire w/ Milly : June 20, 2023 , 103.3 MB
Tue 20 Jun 2023

Welcome to the Tuesday Wire! This week on the show: 

  • On Dear Science, Allan Blackman joins to talk dead flies, space brain and the size of the earth.  
  • Milly has her weekly catch up with Dr Shane Reti where they talk about National’s proposed tougher consequences for gang members, Te Ara Oranga and the use of memes by political parties.
  • Milly also speaks to Aphiphany Forward-Taua from Just Speak on National’s crackdown on crime.
  • Beth speaks to Hema Sridhar, Strategic Advisor for Technological Futures at Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, about social cohesion in Aotearoa.
  • And Rosetta speaks to Camilla Highfield, Deputy Dean at the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work, about the secondary school teachers strikes.

Stay tuned for all this and more!

The Wire with Jessica: 19 June, 2023

The Wire with Jessica: 19 June, 2023 The Wire with Jessica: 19 June, 2023 , 52.59 MB
Mon 19 Jun 2023

ACT MP Simon Court discussed ACT’s proposal for primary industries they announced at the Fieldays agricultural event and party leader David Seymour's comments comparing Palestine to Russia and China. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins also spoke to Palestinian New Zealander and descendant of Palestinian refugees Tameem Shaltoni and John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about Seymour's comments. 

Caeden spoke to Kay from We Back Our Kaiako about their upcoming protest in support of teachers.

They also talked to Jack from RainbowPath about the ramifications of the Human Rights Campaign's decision to declare a state of emergency for LGBTQIA+ people in the US.

And Nicholas spoke to Dr Kelly Garton from the University of Auckland about the impact of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme and the petition to extend it.

We Back Our Kaiako - Why students are supporting the teachers strike w/ Kay: 19 June 2023

We Back Our Kaiako - Why students are supporting the teachers strike w/ Kay: 19 June 2023 We Back Our Kaiako - Why students are supporting the teachers strike w/ Kay: 19 June 2023, 10.69 MB
Mon 19 Jun 2023

We Back our Kaiako is a new student-led group which has formed to support the teacher strikes. They’re based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and will be protesting outside Parliament on Wednesday to show their support of the Post Primary Teachers Association.

Caeden had a kōrero with their spokesperson Kay about why they’ve organised this protest and what their demands are. More info can be found on their instagram @backourkaiako

Littering in Council Parks, Illegal Dumping increases across Auckland, & Auckland as the 'premier tech city' of New Zealand w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 22 May, 2025

Littering in Council Parks, Illegal Dumping increases across Auckland, & Auckland as the 'premier tech city' of New Zealand w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 22 May, 2025 Littering in Council Parks, Illegal Dumping increases across Auckland, & Auckland as the 'premier tech city' of New Zealand w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 22 May, 2025, 33.3 MB
Thu 22 May 2025

Last year, Auckland Council removed 30% of bins from public places with the hopes of saving about $9.5 million over an eight year period. While the council didn’t foresee an increase in littering, last week Stuff published an article sharing the frustrations of residents who observed a growing litter problem in council parks.

Illegal dumping has also been on the rise across Auckland.
 With more than 1300 reports per month, the cost of retrieving illegally dumped items is about $2.7 million every year and rising.

Also Mayor Wayne Brown has announced that he wants to see Auckland become the “premier tech city” of New Zealand to boost our global influence and reputation—-- calling on the government to establish the new Advanced Technology Institute here, which he says could play a key role in guiding new start-ups, so ideas don’t ‘die on the vine’.

Beginning with the problem of rubbish in Auckland, Producer Sara started by asking Julie Fairey if she believed the removal of bins was to blame for increased littering

International Desk: Israel’s Blockade on Aid into Gaza and the Role of International Law w/ Australian National University’s Donald Rothwell 22 May: 2025

International Desk: Israel’s Blockade on Aid into Gaza and the Role of International Law w/ Australian National University’s Donald Rothwell 22 May: 2025 International Desk: Israel’s Blockade on Aid into Gaza and the Role of International Law w/ Australian National University’s Donald Rothwell 22 May: 2025, 16.2 MB
Thu 22 May 2025

International pressure is mounting against Israel for the 11-week-long and ongoing blockade of aid into Gaza.

The few aid trucks that have been let into Gaza have not been distributed, according to the United Nations.

It comes as cases against Israel in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court (ICC) for existing violations of international law remain ongoing.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Professor Donald Rothwell from the Australian National University Law School about the aid blockade and response in international law.

Pre-budget Announcements and the Suspensions of Te Paati Māori MPs w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 22 May, 2025

Pre-budget Announcements and the Suspensions of Te Paati Māori MPs w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 22 May, 2025 Pre-budget Announcements and the Suspensions of Te Paati Māori MPs w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 22 May, 2025, 11.31 MB
Thu 22 May 2025

Today is Budget Day, the day the government releases their spending plans for the next year.

The embargo on the budget lifts at 2pm, however, there have already been several pre-budget spending announcements.

Earlier this week, the debate on the Privileges Committee report into the Treaty Principles Bill haka, led by Te Paati Māori, was deferred. 

Opposition MPs have raised concerns that because the debate has been deferred, the Te Paati Māori co-leaders may not be back in time to vote on the budget.

For our weekly catch-up with Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni, Wire Host Caeden asked about all of these topics.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 21 May, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 21 May, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 21 May, 2025, 15.25 MB
Wed 21 May 2025

Yesterday the debate in the privileges committee regarding the suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi was adjourned until after the upcoming budget announcement.

The Privileges Committee Report and recommended punishments for the three Te Pāti Māori MPs were issued last week for the Haka they performed during a parliamentary session in November 2024 in opposition to the ACT party’s Treaty Principles Bill.

In that same week, the Green party recently issued a call to the government to scrap the Regulatory Standards Bill after the Waitangi Tribunal found that the Bill breaches the Crown’s Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

And the government recently passed the Social Security Amendment Bill, which the government says would support people into employment and off benefits, however, opponents of the bill have said it could harm beneficiaries and lower income New Zealanders.

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party, Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez-March about all of these issues.

The Pay Equity Amendment Bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 20th May, 2025

The Pay Equity Amendment Bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 20th May, 2025 The Pay Equity Amendment Bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 20th May, 2025, 13.72 MB
Tue 20 May 2025

Just under two weeks ago the government passed the pay equity amendment bill under urgency. This bill would change existing pay equity legislation to make it more restrictive, which the government says will save billions of dollars. 

The process was originally introduced to address issues of pay inequity between sectors. While the Equal Pay Act mandates that people working the same job are paid the same regardless of gender, Pay Equity is meant to ensure industries dominated by women are not paid less than similar industries dominated by men. The process has worked by allowing applicants to compare their positions with positions in other sectors with similar workloads, skills, or experience. 

The government’s changes will limit the criteria for comparators, allow only industries with over 70% women in the workforce as opposed to the previous 60%, and removing the ability for the authority to award back pay, among other changes. 

These changes have been met with criticism from rights organisations, advocacy groups, and opposition parties. In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the government’s reasoning behind the Pay Equity Amendment Bill. 

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025, 21.75 MB
Tue 20 May 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about personalised gene therapy, using molecules to spell a word, and the technique for the perfect manu

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

Waitangi Tribunal Recommends Halting Regulatory Standards Bill and Review into Waitangi Tribunal w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 19 May, 2025

Waitangi Tribunal Recommends Halting Regulatory Standards Bill and Review into Waitangi Tribunal w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 19 May, 2025 Waitangi Tribunal Recommends Halting Regulatory Standards Bill and Review into Waitangi Tribunal w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 19 May, 2025, 23.58 MB
Mon 19 May 2025

The Waitangi Tribunal review into the controversial regulatory standards bill has found that the Crown would be in breach of Treaty principles if it were to introduce the regulatory standards bill to Parliament without more consultation with Māori. 

Because of this the tribunal has called for an immediate halt to be put on the bill. 

Despite this, the bill is set to be introduced to Parliament today. 

The recommendation came after following a one day urgent hearing from the Waitangi Tribunal last week, which was pushed forward from June 6, after it was revealed the bill would be introduced to Parliament today. 

Critics of the bill fear it will work against Māori rights and interests. However, the ACT Party, fronted by Minister for Regulation, David Seymour simply say the Tribunal is ‘incorrect’. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court to unpack this further. Discussing why they contest the tribunal’s review, and where they plan to take the bill from here. 

We also spoke about the government launching a review into the Waitangi Tribunal, which is heavily backed by ACT - David Seymour saying the tribunal needs to be ‘put in its place’. 

Te Pāti Māori MP Suspensions, Waitangi Tribunal on Regulatory Standards Bill w/ Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp: 19 May, 2025

Te Pāti Māori MP Suspensions, Waitangi Tribunal on Regulatory Standards Bill w/ Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp: 19 May, 2025 Te Pāti Māori MP Suspensions, Waitangi Tribunal on Regulatory Standards Bill w/ Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp: 19 May, 2025, 15.31 MB
Mon 19 May 2025

Last week, the Privileges Committee recommended Te Pāti Māori co-leaders, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, be “severely censured” with a 21-day suspension, with Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke facing a 7-day suspension for their haka during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill.

Telling RNZ, Judith Collins - the chairperson of the Privileges Committee, says the ruling was unprecedented because the “situation was unprecedented” and said the decision was not taken lightly.

Te Pāti Māori’s lawyer says the punishment given to the MPs is an “absolute disgrace”.

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about this, and how she is feeling heading into the debate of the report tomorrow.

We also discussed the Waitangi Tribunals recommendations regarding the Regulatory Standards Bill.

But first, we discussed the Privileges Committee's recommendations.

Get Action! VUW Divest from Fossil Fuels w/ Hugh Acton from Climate Action VUW: 14 May, 2025

Get Action! VUW Divest from Fossil Fuels w/ Hugh Acton from Climate Action VUW: 14 May, 2025 Get Action! VUW Divest from Fossil Fuels w/ Hugh Acton from Climate Action VUW: 14 May, 2025, 16.16 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

In 2014, Victoria University of Wellington made an official promise to divest $650,000 worth of investments in fossil fuel companies which, at the time, comprised of 2.1% of the University’s total investments.

However, more than 10 years on, a student-led investigation found that the university still held significant investments in companies like Exxon Mobil and SHELL through third-party investment managers.

A year after a successful petition by Students for Justice in Palestine Pōneke calling on the university to divest funding from Israeli companies, a group of students from Climate Action Victoria University of Wellington have made renewed calls to the university to divest from fossil fuel companies. 

For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Hugh Acton, a member of Climate Action Victoria of University of Wellington, who’s launched a petition calling on the university to disclose their investments in companies involved in fossil fuel production and to divest from them immediately.

If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here:

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 14 May, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 14 May, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 14 May, 2025, 26 MB
Wed 14 May 2025

Last week, the government announced that they would begin an official review of the Waitangi Tribunal and the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975.

The government has said that the review is to ensure the Waitangi Tribunal remains effective and relevant, however, a number of Māori and treaty law experts have referred to the review as an attack on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles.

In that same week, the government announced that they would be investing $774 million towards improving the redress process for survivors of abuse in state care in Budget 2025. 

However, going against one of the key recommendations of both the Royal Commission and the Redress Design Group, the government will not be looking to set up a new redress scheme for abuse survivors.

And the government recently passed amendments to the Wildlife Act that would permit the “incidental killing” of certain native wildlife species by companies during lawful activities like construction and development.

For our weekly catchup with the Green party, Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March for the party’s take on all of these issues.