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.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Dr Johanna Reidy, about school uniform equity in Aotearoa.
Producer Olivia spoke to Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, Warren Tate, about the links between ME/CFS and Long COVID.
She also spoke to Postgraduate Fellow in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, Dr Remy Muhsin, about the prevalence of parasites such as toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidium.
Little is known about many parasites, despite their prevalence worldwide, in Aotearoa New Zealand. These parasites include cryptosporidium, and toxoplasmosis, which are both often transmitted from animals to humans. Research has shown both parasites are dangerous to humans, with symptoms including vomiting and fevers.
Olivia spoke to Research Fellow at the University of Otago, Doctor Remy Muhsin, about these parasites, and the need for research funding in this area.
ME/CFS and Long COVID are both chronic diseases that can cause fatigue and memory loss. Researchers worldwide have referred to patients as the “missing millions” due to their inability to sustain employment from the illness, and are often neglected by health services.
Olivia spoke to Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, Warren Tate, about his research in this area. His study has shown that ME/CFS and Long COVID are closely related, meaning that further research and treatments can be for the benefit of both groups.
Ahead of the new school year, concerns have been raised about the high cost of compulsory school uniforms amid the rising cost of living.
New research has found that 20% of students in one school in a higher socioeconomic area worried about whether their parents could afford their uniform.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Dr Johanna Reidy, about what can be done to ensure students experience the benefits of school uniforms without added pressure on families.
In the tumult of last year's election campaign it seemed that there were a myriad of issues that got limited to no coverage time.
Amongst the issues that took a backseat was mental health care.
Statistics from 2021 showed an increase in people reporting poor mental wellbeing and as a country we ranked 38th in the world in child mental wellbeing in 2020.
An article titled “Some mental health advice for Minister Doocey“ was recently published by Newsroom. The article highlighted three key areas of focus for policy regarding mental health, with those priorities being;
Universal Health Coverage, Parity of Esteem for mental health services and reaching unreached populations.
Nicholas spoke to the article's author Dr Ian Soosay about his advice for the new Government’s mental health policy.
The Coalition Government’s plans to dissolve mega polytechnic Te Pukenga has left the tertiary education sector in a state of uncertainty.
Last year individual polytechnics reported a collective loss of $185 million and strike action disrupted students' courses as tertiary education providers took concerns over pay and conditions to the government.
Nicholas spoke to the National president of the Tertiary Education Union, Dr Julie Douglas, about the issues facing Tertiary Education in 2024 as well as the policy areas she believes need to be at the forefront of the Minister for Tertiary educations plans.
The Tuesday Wire team is joined by Dr Allan Blackman for Dear Science!
Nicholas speaks to the National president of the Tertiary Education Union, Dr Julie Douglas, about the issues facing Tertiary Education in 2024 as well as the policy areas she believes need to be at the forefront of the Minister for Tertiary educations plans.
Nicholas also spoke to mental health advocate Dr Ian Soosay about his advice for the new Government’s mental health policy.
Aotearoa, and particularly Te Wai Pounamu, The South Island, is home to unique braided rivers, or rivers that are both land and water, with channels throughout the rivers that cause the rivers to change throughout the seasons. In early 2023, a group of scientists, lawyers, planners, policy experts and engineers formed a group named ‘The Land the law forgot’, which hopes to advocate for the protection of braided rivers, which sometimes go unspoken for in legislation as a grey area between land and water. Advocacy from the group has in part resulted in the Natural and Built Environments Act (2023) which exempts braided rivers from the same umbrella as riverbeds under the previous resource management act, and means they can be protected under their own circumstances.
Rosetta spoke to Professor Ann Brower of the University of Canterbury School of Earth and Environment, who is the lead author of the recently published research paper, New Zealand’s braided rivers: The land the law forgot, about how braided rivers need to be protected moving forward.
For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori, Rosetta spoke to MP Takutai Kemp about the hui-a-motu held by the Kiingitanga at Tūrangawaewae Marae on Saturday, Te Pāti Māori’s calls for the New Zealand government to support South Africa’s case against Israel at the international Court of Justice, and leaked documents revealing the government's intentions to erase Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
She also spoke to Margaret Mutu, University of Auckland professor of Māori studies, and expert on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, about Saturday’s hui at Tūrangawaewae Marae.
Rosetta also spoke to University of Canterbury (UC) Professor Ann Brower of the School of Earth and Environment, who is the lead author of the recently published research paper, New Zealand’s braided rivers: The land the law forgot, about the importance of protecting Aotearoa’s braided rivers
And finally, Rosetta spoke to Dennis Maga, FIRST Union General Secretary, about the union groups protests on Friday regarding a group of predominantly filipino migrant workers who have been left in economic hardship after recruitment group ELE entered receivership in December of 2023.
For our first catch up with Te Pāti Māori of 2024, Rosetta spoke to Takutai Kemp about the hui-a-motu held by the Kiingitanga at Tūrangawaewae Marae on Saturday. The hui had a turnout of around 10,000 people, Māori and non-Māori, all uniting to protest the current government’s efforts to challenge Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Rosetta and Takutai spoke about what action plan has been taken from the hui in order to protect Te Tiriti and Māori. They also spoke about leaked documents posted by Rawiri Waititi which show intentions from the government to erase Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and Te Pāti Māori’s labelling of the government as ‘overpromising’ Finally, they spoke about South Africa’s case against Israel in the International Court of Justice and Te Pāti Māori’s vocal support of this.
From Dec 27 to Jan 18, all train lines across Tāmaki will be shutting down for summer maintenance, a closure which is expected to be the last of its kind ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
The current measles outbreak in Tāmaki is being continually monitored, with exposure sites being updated daily on info.health.nz. The public are encouraged to track whether they’ve been in possible contact with the virus, and get up to date on any vaccinations to limit possibilities of transmission.
Auckland Council are supporting arts initiatives across the summer months, with Music in the Park kicking off in early January, and Movies in the Park following in February.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, and also asked for comment following the attack by two gunmen at Bondi Beach earlier this week.
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
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