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 survey of Pharmacists from around Aotearoa on the impact of fees free prescriptions found that a majority of respondents recognised significant benefits from the removal of copay prescriptions.
The survey found that 92% of pharmacists that responded were able to have longer conversations with patients, and 94% agreed that patients no longer had to choose which medications to leave behind.
A collective of pharmacists who responded to the survey are calling on the National Party to rethink their policy to reintroduce the previous copay system.
Nicholas spoke to Sir Collin Tukuitonga about the National Party’s plan to reinstate prescription fees.
He began by asking him how the previous system worked.
With 1 in 4 of all cats and dogs nationally being overweight, it is predicted that 1 in 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats will suffer from diabetes in their lifetime.
Producer Sofia spoke to Michelle le Long, Chief Operating Officer of PD Pet Insurance about the risks of pet diabetes and how best look after your four legged friend.
This week Allan joined the crew to discuss allegations of manipulated data that supported a major stroke trial and important Alzheimer’s research, new research into the factors that influence decisions made by chess players and a new intravenous needle that softens once in the body.
Nicholas caught up with the National Party's Dr Shane Reti about the National Party's plan to reinstate prescription fees and Labour leader Chris Hipkins calling for a ceasefire.
Nicholas also spoke to Sir Collin Tukuitonga about the benefits of not having prescription fees on medicine.
Nicholas also spoke to John Middleton, a linguist who is working to revive the language of the Moriori people.
Producer Sofia talked to Michelle Le Long from PD Pet Insurance about pet diabetes in Aotearoa
Waka Kotahi has recently released a report on the Waiheke Ferry Service, after months of locals calling for the service to be subsidised as public transport. The report recognised the service as integral to the Auckland public transport network, but sighted not enough evidence to justify a need for subsidising the route as public transport. The Ferry route run by Fullers was the only service running regularly between Downtown Auckland and Waiheke Island, until a new company “Island Ferry Direct” launched a route last week.
Rosetta spoke with Chlöe Swarbrick, Auckland Central MP, about her frustrations with the Waka Kotahi report, and the challenges that Waiheke Island residents are currently facing in regards to the Waiheke Ferry Service. We also spoke about what difference Island Ferry Direct will make as a competitive service with Fullers.
Age Concern Aotearoa is a national charity and advocacy group for older people, and has been working in collaboration with Driving Miss Daisy, a company that works across the country to provide personal assistance with transporting it’s largely older client base. The groups have been working together to produce the resource booklet called “Life without a car” which aims to help older people discuss the options of transport available to them, and how daily tasks such as grocery shopping, seeking medical care and remaining social with their communities can be maintained without driving.
Rosetta spoke to Age Concern Chief Executive Karen Billings-Jensen about the resource, the challenges our older population without cars can face, and what more needs to be done to support them.
Thanks for tuning in! E whai akei nei, on the show today:
Rosetta spoke to Auckland central MP Chloe Swarbrick about recent investigations by Waka Kotahi into the Waiheke island ferry route and why she believes the service should be subsidised as public transport.
Rosetta also spoke to Age Concern Aotearoa Chief Executive Karen Billings-Jensen about the charity’s collaboration with Driving Miss Daisy Aotearoa to produce the resource “Life without a car” for our older population who no longer drive or have access to cars.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, Lou spoke with ACT MP Karen Chhour about the coalition updates, funding for the department of conservation as well as ACT’s stance on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
She also spoke with Claire Henry from the University of Otago in Wellington about the rise of Endometrial Cancer in New Zealand.
Lou also spoke to Alan Johnson from the Child Poverty Action Group following an open letter to the Government in their role to target the issue of Child Poverty in New Zealand.
In our weekly chat with the ACT Party, Lou spoke with Karen Chhour about the updates on the coalition negotiations, which seem to be in the final stages, seventeen days since the election result was finalised. Lou then enquired about the ACT Party’s stance on funding for the Department of Conservation and other organisations following the massive success of the Bird of the Century. Finally, Lou enquired into ACT’s stance on calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Elected Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has stated that they are committed to keeping the Child Poverty Reduction Act of 2018, as well as halving child poverty by 2028.
Six groups heavily invested in reducing child poverty in New Zealand released an open letter to the government, asking them to tackle the issue by meeting with them as soon as possible.
Lou spoke to Alan Johnson, Convenor and housing spokesperson for the Child Poverty Act Group about this further.
Research from the University of Otago in Wellington has found healthcare professionals are concerned about the management of endometrial cancer in Aotearoa. Despite other cancer rates staying the same or going down, cases of endometrial cancer have increased over the past ten years in New Zealand.
Lou talked to co-author Dr Claire Henry, Scientist and Lecturer at the University of Otago in Wellington about this further.
For our regular catch-up with the Labour Party, Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, about the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker, about his concerns that Aotearoa is entering a ‘fifth wave’ of Covid-19.
Producer Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the Council’s consultation on government direction and improvement to Tāmaki Makaurau’s freshwater and community involvement in freshwater management
She spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland Claire Charters about the relationship between co-governance, te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how our co-governance arrangement could better reflect te Tiriti and the rights of indigenous peoples
She also spoke to Volunteer at the Better NZ Trust Rob Birnie about national support for the Clean Car Discount and the National Party’s plan to scrap the policy
Producer Castor spoke to Professor of Environment at the University of Auckland, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves across Aotearoa and its negative consequences for the environment.
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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