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.
A new report from Our Land and Water has found it will be extremely challenging to achieve New Zealand's water quality goals.
First, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Ton Snelder, report lead author, and Director of Land Water People, about their findings and what they mean for New Zealand’s water quality?
She also spoke to Jenny Webster Brown, Director at Our Land and Water National Science Challenge about the water standards outlined in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020.
Earlier this week the new National ACT and NZ First government announced that in order to fund Nationals promised tax cuts they will be making changes to the Smoke free Legislation.
This includes revoking the ban on the sale of cigarettes to future generations, reducing nicotine levels and limiting the number of tobacco retailers.
Many organisations have come forward to express their concern about this change including the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand.
This morning Rawan spoke with the foundation’s CEO, Letitia Harding about the negative health impacts of this change, National’s claim that the legislation would lead to a growth in the black market and what we need to do to protect Aotearoa’s youth from lung and heart disease.
This morning, a convoy of eight trucks crossed Harbour Bridge to provide 100 kilometres of fencing to be donated to farmers affected by the cyclones. This was part of a Farmers Community Connect event, organised by Rapid Relief Team New Zealand, to provide assistance and advice to farmers.
Olivia talked to Director at Rapid Relief Team New Zealand, Danny Blampied, about this initiative, and the support Rapid Relief Team provides more generally.
For our weekly catch up with the Green Party Rawan spoke with Party Co-Leader James Shaw about some of the issues they have recently voiced concerns about.
First off Rawan asked about their push for progress on protection around the Hauraki Gulf. Earlier this week the green party wrote to the incoming government, to call for the progression without delay of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill. James also spoke about the importance of this bill and the need for ocean protection in the Hauraki gulf.
They then discussed the party’s recent petition to save the oil and gas ban, which the new government plans to lift. James spoke about the pressing need for banning oil and gas exploration and what the alternative options are.
Finally Rawan asked about the party’s stance on the new government's changes to the smoke free legislations and what this could mean for New Zealanders.
This Week on Get Action!, Olivia spoke with Hinauri Apa-Fepulea’i, about her team’s Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty, which calls for the Government to phase out fossil fuel usage and production, as well as preventing new coal, oil, and gas developments.
Hinauri discussed why this treaty is important, the three pillars of the treaty, and where people can go to learn more, and support this cause.
Elder Abuse is misunderstood, and difficult to spot, with many common forms often going unnoticed. These include psychological and financial abuse, as well as the more talked about physical elder abuse.
Olivia talked to Age Concern New Zealand’s Educator of Elder Abuse and Neglect, Hanny Naus about this issue. Hanny discussed the means of identifying possible abuse, and what people can do if they do suspect it.
Last year alone, SIXTY THREE deceased organ donors, with support from whānau, donated organs following death, providing lifesaving kidney, liver, lung, heart or pancreas transplants for ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR kiwis.
On Thursday, 30th November, Organ Donation New Zealand and organ donation recipients across the country will come together to say thanks to everyone involved in making organ donation possible.
Lou talked to Sue Garland, Donor Coordinator for Organ Donation New Zealand about this day further.
This week for our catchup with Dr Reti, the discussion centred around the National Party’s commitment to repeal Labour’s smokefree 2025 plan.
As a part of their coalition agreement the National Party agreed to scrap legislation that would have reportedly saved thousands of lives as well as saving the New Zealand healthcare system 1.3 billion dollars over 20 years.
The discussion began with questions regarding Dr Reti’s new ministerial appointments including his appointment as the minister for pacific peoples.
Nicholas began by asking him what his top priorities are in that portfolio.
Feral and unashamed, pigeons are the hallmark of any great city.
But the line between urban legend and rat with wings is blurred, leaving the pigeon an animal of mystery and intrigue.
Once domesticated pets, pigeons now roam the streets as one of the biggest birds on the block.
It is estimated that there are between 250 to 400 million feral pigeons globally, raising the question: are there too many?
Sofia spoke to bird connoisseur and Auckland Regional Representative for Birds New Zealand, Ian Mclean, for insight into the complex existence of feral pigeons.
For our weekly segment, Nicholas caught up with the National Party’s Dr Shane Reti. We spoke about the National’s plan to repeal the previous Labour Governments’ smokefree 2025 plan.
Nicholas also conducted a special report on the objectives outlined in Labour’s smokefree 2025 plan.
Producer Beth speaks to Founder and Director of Green Bottle NZ Neil Pollett about Drink Different an initiative Founder and Director of Green Bottle NZ Neil Pollett about Drink Different
Producer Lou Sue Garland, Donor Coordinator for Organ Donation New Zealand about organ donation thank you day.
Spike reports on protesters blockading the Ports of Auckland entrance to stop the entry of an Israeli-owned shipping vessel and its goods last week.
Sofia spoke to Auckland Regional representative for Birds Aotearoa, Ian Mclean, about the complex history of the feral city pigeon.
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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