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.
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.
New research findings from PriceSpy have shown fake sales are on the rise in Aotearoa.
With Black Friday happening this week, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, asked Consumer NZ Communications and Campaigns Manager, Jess Walker, about what consumers should look out for, to ensure they are getting a good deal?
For our regular catch-up with the Labour Party, Caeden talked to Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, about the Labour Party calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and coalition negotiations.
Castor spoke to Senior Communications Advisor to the Chief Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, Aaron Packard, about a recent public opinion poll on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and how this relates to the Treaty’s role in politics and education.
Castor also spoke to a lead author of a recent study from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Eli Kliejunas, about the impact of meat and dairy consumption on household greenhouse gas emissions.
Oto spoke to Senior Lecturer in Comparative and International Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Ritesh Shah, about the impact of long-standing Israeli conflict on the mental health of children in Gaza.
News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Communications and Campaigns Manager of Consumer NZ, Jess Walker, about news research from PriceSpy which found fake sales are on the rise in Aotearoa.
And finally, she spoke to Chief Executive of Mindful Fashion, Jacinta FitzGerald, about how they believe people can be more mindful of their fashion consumption, particularly with Black Friday happening this week.
With the mental health system not being able to support many New Zealanders’ mental health needs, experts have proposed alternatives to expensive treatments. One such alternative is group therapy, which experts have said has many benefits, including an increased sense of community between participants, and decreased costs for treatment.
Olivia spoke to public health physician and Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Dr Kaaren Mathias, about the importance of group therapy, and where the public can go to access these services.
Since October, the Gaza Strip has been experiencing one of the largest escalations of violence it has seen in years, with the death toll of civilians killed by Israeli airstrikes surpassing 13,000 as of 22 November.
UNICEF have described the conflict as a humanitarian crisis that will cause lifelong psychological trauma for Gaza's children.
Senior Lecturer in Comparative and International Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Ritesh Shah, published a report in January in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council, detailing the impacts of the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East-Jerusalem on the optimism and mental health of Palestinian children, prior to 7 October, with a particular focus on the role of education and the impact of COVID-19 and home-based learning on their wellbeing.
Oto spoke to Dr Shah about his research in the occupied Palestinian territories, the state of Palestinian children's mental health, and measures introduced by NGOs and the UN to create safer learning and working environments for Palestinian students and teachers.
Wellington city councillor, Nikau wi neera, has been involved with the Palestinian cause even before the start of the current conflict.
Not only has he been a speaker at more recent Palestine Solidarity marches he also helped lead the start of a sister city partnership with Ramallah, a city in Palestine region.
Rawan spoke to him this morning about his involvement with Pro Palestine marches and the significance of indigenous support from Aotearoa, from both iwi and political parties.
They then discussed the sister city partnership with Ramallah, looking at how it started and how the current conflict will impact the process.
Some businesses have proposed the need for tougher laws on people who are homeless, including trespassing people for anti-social behaviour. Organisations have criticised this approach, saying that harsh punishments are not the answer.
Olivia spoke to Lifewise Chief Executive Officer, Haehaetu Barrett, about these proposed laws, and possible alternatives for mitigating homelessness.
Big food and alcohol company lobbying is prevalent in New Zealand. Corporations influence research and policy regarding food and alcohol, which can be disadvantageous for people’s health.
Experts have criticised this influence, and our lack of lobbying regulations. Olivia spoke to Co-Chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa and Professor at the University of Auckland, Boyd Swinburn, about this issue, and what action he wants the incoming Government to take.
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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