Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
The Russia-Ukraine war has continued to rage on, with scenes echoing that of the first world war as the intense battles lead to mass casualties.
This has continued to overshadow but not delay other negotiations, such as the possibility of capping gas prices including those from Russia.
France has been also negotiating with America and other EU states about subsidy systems, as covered in Liam's chat with Cameron Adams for Eurovision this week.
New research has revealed that levels of distress, depression, stress, and suicidal thoughts are alarmingly high for all New Zealanders, especially those aged 18-34. Today, Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released their Access and Choice programme report, which gave insight into the progress and challenges for the primary care and mental health and addiction sectors in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joe spoke to Karen Osbourne, the Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission on this matter.
New Zealand's commercial fishing industry faced a massive change today when the US court of International Trade ruled for a temporary ban on the exportation of nine species of fish from New Zealand waters to the US.
Today Troy spoke with Michael Lawry the managing director for the Sea Shepherd conservation group that brought the lawsuit to the US for the protection of New Zealand's critically endangered Māui dolphin.
Joe speaks to Brooke van Velden in our weekly chat with the ACT Party, this week they’ll be talking about their new school truancy policy and Resource Management Act alternative.
He also speaks to Karen Osbourne, the Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission about the Access and Choice Report.
Troy speaks Michael Lawry, Managing Director of Sea Shepherd, about a ban on the import of fish from certain fisheries to protect the critically endangered Maui dolphin.
Yesterday, there was a big protest organised by the dairy owners association regarding the scale of and response to retail crime in the country.
With so many New Zealanders concerned about retail crime, which is quickly becoming a flashpoint political issue, Casper spoke to Greg Harford from Retail NZ - discussing the government’s response, the issue of retail workers feeling unsafe, and what different causes might be at play.
Last week the Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced a hike to the Official Cash Rate of 75 basis point, which was quite a shock and has been reported on extensively as it’s not usually changed this quickly.
Casper had a chat to Robert MacCoulloch from the University of Auckland about what the OCR is, why the Reserve Bank raised it, and what this might mean for New Zealanders.
Milly spoke to Bindi Norwell from Procare regarding the recent goverment announcement which gives a pay increase to some healthcare workers but not general practisioners or nurses, who have requested the change.
The Healthcare exec Brian Thompson was shot dead by a masked assailant last week.
The crime has gained significant controversy and attention online, with many using it to restart the debate on the inequities of the United States healthcare system.
And this week Yale University was the latest college to commit to divesting from weapons manufacturing after a student vote.
For State of the States this week Wire Host Caeden speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about both of these topics.
The government as announced their plan for the Cook Strait ferry a year after they scrapped Labour’s plan, including cancelling the ferries the Labour government had ordered.
And a new report from the Ministry of Social Development has revealed nearly a quarter of beneficiaries are not receiving their correct entitlements.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.
For City Counselling this week, producer Sofia caught up with Councillor Shane Henderson about proposed time-of-use charging to solve congestion problems in Tāmaki and Council selling their remaining Auckland Airport shares last week.
The Green party recently released He Ara Anamata - the Green party’s emissions reduction plan.
The document covers more than 10 areas of the economy and energy Sector that a Greens-led government would be looking to adapt to minimise carbon emissions and protect the natural landscapes of Aotearoa.
It also comes 5 months after the government released their own draft emissions plan. Numerous experts pointed out that the government is behind on their own plan’s targets to meet the crucial emissions budget for 2031-2035.
For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the party’s new emissions reduction plan and how they would address climate and the economy in a greens-led government.
Last election, one of the National Party’s main campaign promises was to be ‘tough on crime’, promising to increase police coverage and penalties for crimes. A target was set to increase the number of police officers by 500 by November 2025, however some police leaders today say this goal is unrealistic.
The government also announced this week some shakeups to insulation standards, which they say should make houses more affordable.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about police staffing targets and new insulation standards.
This week on Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about what latrines teach us about people, climate variation affecting Chinese dynasties, and invasive species becoming threatened.
Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!
Last week it was revealed that two of the ten participants in the government's pilot bootcamp programme were on the run.
The youth were two months into the community rehabilitation phase of the programme, following the three month youth justice residence phase. Both teens were found in the weekend, but had allegedly reoffended, and are now set to come before the court.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, who have been heavily advocating for this programme, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about this incident.
She also talks to him about proposed changes to employment law which would give employers the power to dismiss workers earning over $180,000 without the employee refuting the decision.
And finally, she talks to him about David Seymour’s incumbent run as Deputy Prime Minister, which is set to begin in May of next year.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about changes to Auckland Transport’s responsibilities, nationwide bus and train fare hikes, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link.
For State of the States this week, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Andre Fa'aoso from the Yale Daily News about President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, who was due to be sentenced next week for three felony charges.
They also discuss Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, who is the latest in a long list of unorthodox picks for government positions from Trump
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