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 Hidden Gem, commissioned by Canadian miner The Metals Company, has just returned from eight weeks of test mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone between México and Hawaii. One of the biggest vessels of its type in the world, the ship planned to mine 3,600 tonnes of polymetallic nodules from the seafloor in a trial that could pave the way for full scale commercial mining.
Greenpeace México activists met The Hidden Gem in kayaks holding ‘Stop Deep Sea Mining’ banners while Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner James Hita delivered a message to the captain of the Hidden Gem via radio
Greenpeace Aotearoa has renewed calls for the government to advocate for a strong, legally-binding global plastics treaty as world governments meet at the first Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting (INC1) in Uruguay this month. A petition for a plastics treaty that centres justice launched earlier this year by Greenpeace Aotearoa ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly 5.2 and has already gathered over 29,000 signatures.
Joe spoke to Greenpeace’s plastics campaigner Juressa Lee on the matter.
Tertiary Education Union members at Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland will begin a ban on entering and releasing student marks from 7 pm tonight until 7 pm on Friday November 18th.
Organiser Adam Craigie says the strike is a result of continuing frustration and anger from members over what they sey is an inadequate pay offer.
Currently, the University's best offer is contingent on removing important conditions such as retirement leave and does not match rising inflation.
Joe spoke to members of the Union during their rally about what their message to the University and students is.
Issues of Problem Gambling have been plaguing Timaru, however the areas district council have largely allowed their laws to remain the same.
Minor changes have taken place, particularly in letting new venues for gambling operate at a limit of seven pokie machines, but the Problem Gambling Foundation say this is far from enough.
The region's district councillor claims that the funds from gambling is important due to the amount it funds local community groups.
To learn more, Liam spoke to Andree Froude from the Problem Gambling Foundation about the issues.
Protests in Iran began two months ago after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini who was detained by so-called morality police for allegedly breaking strict hijab rules.
This week a court in Iran has issued the first death sentence to a person arrested for taking part in the protests against the country's government which began two months ago.
Human rights groups have warned Iranian authorities may be planning mass executions.
A University of Auckland PHD student who is from Iran is calling on Aotearoa, and its Universities to do more to condemn the human rights abuses in Iran.
We started off our interview addressing allegations regarding a University of Auckland staff member, sharing their support of the Iranian regime online.
Protests have continued in Iran calling for the overturning the current government, even in the face of mass arrest.
Public trials of arrested protestors have recently begun, recently seeing the first death sentence ordered and others sentenced to ten to fifteen years of jail time.
The protests stemmed from the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old woman who died in police custody - her passing sparked nationwide dissent calling for women's liberation.
To learn more, Liam spoke to Iranian New Zealander and economist Hanna Habibi about what’s been happening on the ground, what’s changed, and what the outcomes of the protests could be.
Liam makes an incredibly dramatic move for the summer and moves to The Thursday Wire! What a madman!
E whai ake nei, on the show today:
Liam speaks to Hanna Habibi about the mass arrest of protestors in Iran.
Tuva’a has his weekly catch-up with Labour’s Andrew Little.
Liam spoke to Andree Froude from the Problem Gambling Foundation about pokie machine regulations in Timaru.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins speaks to Philip Aldridge, the Chief Executive of Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure, about making businesses and worksites safer for women in the trade industry.
Liam also spoke to Fiona Petchy from the University of Waikato about Māori settlement dates.
And lastly they had a chat with Cameron Adams for Eurovision about the current state of the Ukraine war.
Recent statistics show that 30% of people, mostly women, working in construction in the last five years have experienced at lest one form of sexual harassment.
The Waihanga Ara Rau and Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Councils, supported by the Tertiary Education Commission, have developed practical steps for trade employers to take to ensure women are safe in the workplace from sexual harassment and bullying
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins speaks to Philip Aldridge, the Chief Executive of Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure about their Keep it Decent guidelines.
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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