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.
This week for our catchup with Dr. Reti, the discussion centered around the National Party’s proposed Foreign Buyers Tax.
Nicholas also asked Dr. Reti about his party’s wider tax policy, including their Party leaders' promise to deliver tax relief for low and middle-income New Zealanders.
Nicholas began by asking Dr. Reti about the criticisms aimed at the credibility of the foreign buyer's tax.
Forrest and Birds’ Bird of the Century campaign went viral after British Comedian John Oliver rallied in support of the Pūteketeke.
However, behind the viral clips and passionate campaigns there is a a more serious element to the campaign that is aimed at increasing awareness about conservation efforts.
Nicholas spoke to Ellen Rykers from Forest and Bird New Zealand about how this years campaign has gone and ways that the public can help contribute to conservation efforts.
This week, a patient reportedly waited four-and-a-half months for an urgent MRI scan at Dunedin Hospital.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton about this incident and what they believe it indicates about the current state of our health system?
They also discussed the incoming government's proposed tax cuts and how this might affect investment in health.
Thanks for tuning in! E whai akei nei, on the show today…
Rosetta spoke to Nick Henry, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa, about their call for New Zealand and Australian governments to endorse the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific
She also spoke to Speaking to Susan St John, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland's Business School about The future of child poverty under a National Government and their goal to halve child poverty by 2028
Rosetta also spoke to Climate Justice Taranaki's Tuhi-Ao Bailey about the blockades of major dairy, gas, and fertiliser companies on the anniversary of the invasion of Parihaka on 5 November 1881 last week.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, Lou spoke with ACT MP Simon Court about any updates towards the coalition between National, ACT, and NZ First, as well as ACTs response to Chlöe Swarbick’s use of the Chant “From the River to the Sea” when calling for Palestinian liberation.
Lou also spoke with Jane Alsweiler, associate professor and neo-natal paediatrician at the University of Auckland in regards to RSV drug funding.
On the 5th of November in 1881, the settlement of Parihaka, where many Māori from the Taranaki region had found refuge as a result of the Land Wars, was invaded and several peaceful resistors were arrested without trial. Cultivations and livestock in the settlement were destroyed and much of the land seized. Today, Māori in Parihaka are still fighting for their rights. Climate Justice Tāranaki marked the anniversary of the event last week by implementing a peaceful blockade on The Whareroa Fonterra Dairy factory, the Kapuni Ballance fertiliser factory and the Todd Energy gas plant. Rosetta spoke to Tuhi-Ao Bailey, member of Climate Justice Tāranaki, about the relevance of climate activism today to Parihaka day. They also spoke about many pro-palestinian advocates and Te Pāti Māori’s leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer who have stated the relevance of Parihaka to the oppression of Palestinians in Gaza today.
In March, Ministers from six Pacific states issued the Port Vila call for a global, just and equitable phase out of coal, oil and gas, asking fellow Pacific leaders to show their support in a Leaders Declaration at the Pacific Island Forum. Social change organisation Oxfam Aotearoa has joined in support of the call, and is urging New Zealand and Australia to support a movement towards a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.
Rosetta spoke to Nick Henry, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa about the phase out of fossil fuels, and whether or not this is a realistic movement under a National government.
The National Party has promised to halve child poverty by 2028, and has committed to stick to the targets outlined in the Child Poverty Reduction Act, however many are worrying that not enough policy has been outlined in order to achieve this. The party’s policy of the Independent Earner Tax Credit will start in April next year and targets the “squeezed middle”, but will provide little relief for families who rely on welfare to survive.
Susan St John is an associate professor at the University of Auckland Business School, and has recently published an opinion piece in The Conversation, titled “If NZ’s new government wants a simple fix to improve child poverty, here’s what it should do” urging the party to do more to reduce child poverty. Rosetta spoke to her about how she believes the tax credit system needs to be altered in order to support low income families more.
Care and support workers are currently in the midst of a pay equity agreement, with all three major unions undertaking work to make sure workers are paid equitably.
The workers, predominantly women, last received a pay rise in 2017, and their wages have simply not matched the cost of living. In some cases workers, who often use their own cars to drive to clients, have to stay beyond their paid hours just to make sure the people they are caring for receive the appropriate care.
Te Whatu Ora has delayed the pay equity settlement, despite not being directly involved in the relationship between employees and employers. This has got some union members and representatives riled up.
Following international Care And Support day, Arno spoke to the Public Service Association assistant secretary Melissa Woolley. Arno started our interview by asking what the PSA is and what it does.
Next, Arno spoke to a Care And Support worker named Monique Behan-Kitto. They have unique insight into the struggles faced by workers and the struggle for pay equity. Arno started our interview by asking about Monique’s role as a care and support worker.
Vaping is still shrouded in a cloud of mystery, and the effects it has on our health is largely unknown. With record numbers of Kiwis turning to vapes, a lot of interest has been placed in finding out how bad they really are.
Last time Arno spoke with Dr Kelly Burrowes, bioengineering PhD at the University of Auckland, they were calling for tighter regulations on vaping. Many of these regulations are now imminent.
Dr Burrowes recently obtained two research grants that will together span a total of five years, looking into the effects of vaping on the lungs. Arno started our interview by asking about these grants.
On a very health-focused Wire for Rāapa Wednesday.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to NZ Drug Foundation Principal Science Advisor, Emily Hughes, about synthetic opioids being sold as other substances.
She also spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director, Sarah Dalton, about how the incoming governments proposed tax cuts could impact investment in the health sector.
And she spoke to senior research fellow at the University of Otago, Dr Julie Bennett, about World Ventil8 Day.
Arno spoke to Assistant National Secretary of the Public Services Association, Melissa Woolley, and care and support worker, Monique Behan-Kitto, about their pay equity settlement that has been delayed by Te Whatu Ora.
And he spoke to Bioengineer at the University of Auckland Dr Kelly Burrowes about new research on how vaping affects the lungs.
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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