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.
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.
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.
Thanks for tuning in! e whai akei nei, on the show today...
This week we are recommencing our regular catch up with Te Pāti Māori MP for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate Takutai Kemp. Rosetta spoke to Takutai about Te Pāti Māori’s success in the election, their concerns regarding policies outlined in the National, ACT and New Zealand First coalition agreement announcement on Friday, and Te Pāti Māori’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Rosetta also spoke to Co-chair of the smoke-free expert advisory group for Health Coalition Aotearoa, and national tobacco advocacy lead for the national public health organisation Leitu Tufuga about the incoming coalition government’s decision to repeal a series of smoke-free legislation.
Rosetta also spoke to Shaun Greaves, executive director of Amnesty International Aotearoa, about the groups open letter to Prime Minister Elect Christopher Luxon, calling on the incoming government to support a ceasefire in Gaza.
In our Weekly Catch Up with the ACT Party, Lou spoke to Simon Court about the results of the coalition being finalised, as well as discussing the public’s response to their Treaty Principles Bill and what that means for the ACT Party
Lou also spoke to Olivier Jutel about the news surrounding Binance’s CEO stepping down and pleading guilty to breaking US anti-money laundering laws.
Amnesty International Aotearoa has published an open letter to Prime Minister Elect Christopher Luxon, calling on him and the incoming government to demand a sustained ceasefire in Gaza. The letter has been published in collaboration with Action Station and Save The Children New Zealand and states that the current four-day humanitarian pause is not enough to address the “catastrophic suffering” and “horrifying harm to civilians”. The letter comes after weeks of protests across the country and little comment from the incoming government.
Rosetta spoke to Amnesty International Aotearoa Executive Director Shaun Greaves about the letter, and what the groups would like to see from the incoming National, ACT, New Zealand First coalition government. They also spoke about the Labour Party’s call for a ceasefire, which many have critiqued as a delayed response.
The National, ACT and New Zealand First coalition government announced its coalition deal on Friday, and in the agreement is a pledge to repeal amendments to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and regulations before March 2024. This decision would push back against legislation that works towards denicotisation, reducing retail outlets, and the goal of creating a smoke free generation. The decision comes as somewhat of a surprise, as the National Party’s Dr Shane Reti, who is set to be sworn in as the Minister for Health, has been vocal in his support of smokefree legislation in the past.
Health Coalition Aotearoa has released a briefing for the incoming government, and in it the group urges the government to implement the laws and reach the goal of Smokefree 2025. Rosetta spoke to Co-chair of the smoke-free expert advisory group for Health Coalition Aotearoa, and national tobacco advocacy lead for the national public health organisation Leitu Tufuga about the incoming coalition government’s decision to repeal a series of smoke-free legislation. They also discussed the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority, as well as other health policies announced in the coalition agreements.
After 41 days since the election, and 21 since the final results, New Zealand has finally received the country’s first coalition of three political parties, with National, ACT, and NZ First.
In the weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, Lou talked to Simon Court about the results of these negotiations being finalized, as well as the response to their agreements announced on Friday.
This week, we are recommending our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori’s MP for Tāmaki Makaurau Takutai Kemp. Rosetta had a kōrero with Takutai about Te Pāti Māori’s success in the election, going from the previous two seats in parliament to 6 electorate seats this term. We spoke about her priorities for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate, the coalition agreement announcement from National, ACT and New Zealand First on Friday, and which policies Te Pāti Māori is most concerned about from the incoming government. Finally, they spoke about the party’s vocal stance on Palestinians in Gaza, including their calls to expel the Israeli and United States ambassadors.
Recently, in the cryptocurrency field, we have seen Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, more commonly referred to as CZ, step down and plead guilty to breaking US anti-money laundering laws, as part of a Four Billion US Dollar settlement with the US Department of Justice. He is now currently facing up to 10 years in prison.
Lou talked to Dr Olivier Jutel, Communications Lecturer at the University of Otago, about this further.
Research from the University of Auckland has found reducing meat and dairy consumption within families could also reduce that family’s greenhouse gas emissions.
I spoke to one of the study’s lead authors and honours student at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Eli Kliejunas, about the research and how changing our eating habits could help us meet our climate targets.
A new poll by Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, has revealed a majority of the New Zealand public support partnership between Māori and non-Māori surrounding Te Tiriti.
The poll investigated a range of public opinions surrounding Te Tiriti, including attitudes towards its role in politics and education.
Castor spoke to Human Rights Commission Senior Communications Advisor Aaron Packard about how the poll results reflect public opinion and how this could influence the incoming government.
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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