Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Castor Chacko, Sara Mckoy, Emmanuel Orange, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
The government has recently reduced biogenic methane emission targets to 14-24% by 2050, changing the reductions passed in 2019 under the Zero Carbon Act of cuts between 24-47% below 2017 levels by 2050.
These changes have faced criticisms from the Opposition and climate activists, and scientists. Green Party co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick, says “This methane denial betrays farmers who are on the front line of climate-driven extreme weather events that threaten global food production and rural livelihoods”.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, New and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Court about the target changes.
They also discussed this week’s multi-sector strike action, which will be attended by workers from various sectors, such as the medical and education sector.
Public Service Minister Judith Collins, regarding teachers striking, called the strike action “unfair and unwarranted,” and said that the union, the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association’s (PPTA’s) primary agenda was to discuss Palestine with Education Minister Erica Stanford. However, PPTA President, Chris Abercrombie, disputed this, saying Palestine was one of several topics the union had wanted to discuss with the Minister, including AI in education and changes to NCEA.
They discussed this, but first, we discussed the government’s changes to methane targets.
In a recent article for Newsroom, University of Auckland climate scientist Dr Kevin E Trenberth wrote about the continued ‘existential threat’ of climate change.
He outlines the key issues of climate change, including droughts, intense rains and flooding risks and tropical storms. All leading to food and water shortages.
In the article, he also called net-zero a “pipe dream”, given the shortfalls of the Paris Agreement and other climate accords
Thursday Wire Host Caeden spoke to Trenberth, who is a Distinguished Scholar at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research, USA, and an honorary academic at the Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, about his article, including the most urgent climate change-driven threats and what role New Zealand has to play in enacting solutions.
They started by asking what about the current moment inspired him to write his article.
Over the weekend, a Second round of ‘No Kings’ protests took place across the United States, protesting the anti-democratic actions of the second Trump Administration.
The previous protests in june saw 5 million join in, and this round had 250 planned protests across all 50 states. Officials in New York estimated crowds of around 100,000 people.
Concerns, however, remain around whether or not these protests will do something, and whether or not they matter, in the face of Trump’s authoritarian leanings and the actions of his administration.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Associate Professor of History at the University of Auckland, Jennifer Frost, about these protests, and what they say about political attitudes towards Trump in the United States.
Last week, the Government released their first ‘National Adaptation Framework’ for adapting to Climate Change.
The announcement highlights the risks those in Aotearoa face regarding climate related disasters and harms, such as floods or storms as climate change gets worse. This comes alongside a focus on ensuring that Aotearoa’s economy is able to withstand, handle, and grow in the face of these risks.
While this is a positive step, there remain concerns around how adaptation fits in, whether this plan covers all bases, and what still needs to be done.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Principal Scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, Dr Cradock-Henry, about the framework, its strengths, and its drawbacks.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is celebrating a landmark moment for women’s health today as the Government officially extends breast screening nationwide to women aged up to 74.
After campaigning for eight years to increase the screening age limit from 69 to 74, the Foundation’s Chair, Justine Smyth, says the national roll-out marks a significant victory for early detection.
“A woman’s risk of breast cancer is actually higher at 70 than it is at 50, which is why we campaigned so hard to get the age limit raised,” Justine says.
“Thanks to the extension, more women will have the chance to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. And early detection means less invasive treatment, faster recovery, and most importantly – more lives saved.”
Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to Justine about the changes, what they mean for families and communities across the country, their advocacy journey and the next steps for Breast Cancer awareness.
Only 32.6% of eligible voters voted in local elections, the worst turnout in 36 years.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza.
And politicians across the house have criticised Te Pāti Māori for the confusing infighting between members that has played out over the past few days.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these issues.
Earlier this month, the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture visited Aotearoa for the first time since 2013. The delegation made a range of unannounced visits to facilities such as prisons, police stations, and youth justice and protection residencies.
The end of visit observations included a repeated emphasis on strengthening investment in and utility of our National Preventative Mechanism - the collective of Aotearoa’s independent statutory organisations tasked with advancing the kaupapa to keep detained people safe.
The subcommittee’s final report will be delivered to Aotearoa’s government, which is then up to government discretion whether the document is made public.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Meg de Ronde, CEO of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Human Rights Commission) - the coordinating body of the National Preventative Mechanism - about the subcommittee's statements.
Local elections wrapped up this Saturday across the country with Auckland recording the lowest turnout in decades. However, as councilors and local board members settle in for the next term, Thursday Wire Producer Sanat talked to Shane Henderson about how leaders from across our city step up and campaign for these elections, what his community is looking forward to over the next term and what sort of reforms he wants to pursue to stem this decline in local democracy.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Shanan Halbert about the local elections turn-out, the ceasefire in Gaza, and the infighting in Te Pāti Māori.
On City Counselling this week, Producer Sanat spoke to freshly elected councilor Shane Henderson about his campaign and what he’s most looking forward to over the next three years.
He also spoke to Justine Smythe, chair of the Breast Cancer Foundation about the extension of free mammogram screenings to women up to 74 year olds.
Lastly, he had a conversation with Te Punaha Matatini’s Co-Director Markus Luczak-Roesch about the Science System Advisory Group’s latest report and changes to New Zealand’s science research funding regime.
And Producer Jasmine spoke with Meg de Ronde, CEO of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata (Human Rights Commission), on the mahi and obligations of Aotearoa as signatories to the UN Subcommitee on the Prevention of Torture, in light of their visit earlier this month.
The Science System Advisory Group headed by Sir Peter Gluckman, released its second report yesterday detailing new proposals for New Zealand’s science and innovation eco system.
As a part of this report and the Government’s response, a massive shakeup of the funding regime has been announced with the establishment of “Research funding New Zealand’ a new independent board that will replace most existing decision makers across science.
At the same time, this report outlines a clear lack of investment, funding and strategic leadership in terms of how New Zealand’s science ecosystem can solve problems that benefit all New Zealanders beyond short term economic growth.
Te Punaha Matatini is a research institute trying to solve the complex and wicked problems of the 21st century in Aotearoa. Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke with their co-director Markus Luckas-Roeshe about these announcements and what the future of New Zealand’s science eco-system needs to look like.
arlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum that made international headlines.
The speech was focused on the future of global politics in the face of a world increasingly shaped by threats and hard power, and the need for “middle power” states to cooperate.
For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Stewart Prest, Lecturer in Political Science at the University of British Columbia, about Mark Carney’s speech.
Last week, following weather warnings and torrential rain, slips across the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty wreaked havoc, cutting off communities, damaging houses, and worst of all, taking lives.
At the base of Mauoa, Mount Maunganui, a slip hit a council-owned campsite, claiming six lives and now eyes are turning towards how a tragedy like this could be prevented in future.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was among the world leaders offered membership on Trump's post conflict government body, the board of peace. The board has received scathing criticism for including people under investigation for war crimes and failing to have a representative voice for the Palestinian people. Luxon has, in turn, received criticism for not ruling out the invitation.
Finally, the New Zealand Defence Force has begun to incorporate uncrewed vehicles and drones as it moves into a new era of increased defence spending
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wire host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about Luxons refusal to rule out joining Trump’s board of peace, and the New Zealand Defence Forces incorporation of drones but began with asking him about the fatal slip in Tauranga,
As New Zealanders across the motu witness the fallout of extreme weather including landslips and flooding, climate experts reiterate the importance of connecting these events to a wider trend of increased frequency and intensity climate events.
In particular, experts including Dr Kevin Trenberth and Sustainability lecturer Sasha Maher say that New Zealand’s existing infrastructure needs to be upgraded to account for how future natural disasters and climate events will impact Aotearoa.
For Green World this week, Wire host Sara spoke to both of these experts about the challenges New Zealand will face on this issue.
First, Sara spoke to University of Auckland affiliated climate scientist Dr Kevin Trenberth about the drivers of extreme weather conditions, starting by asking how they reflect a larger pattern of temperature change.
Next, Sara spoke to University of Auckland lecturer Sasha Maher about the political response to these observable climate impacts.
Last week's landslide at Mount Maunganui has had severe consequences on people and the environment. Producer Vihan spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about the landslide and the government's response to it, as well as it's response to climate change, in general.
Tāmaki was hit with severe heavy rain warnings in recent days, with extreme weather and states of emergency declared around the motu. These heightened caution around risks of flooding in areas affected by 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods.
Last week, there were changes to national laws that now allow ‘granny flats’ to be built on properties without the need to obtain resource consent.
And stripping of marine life from rock pools around Whangaparāoa has raised discussion of shellfish protections, but not without increasing racial tensions in community discourse.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about how these topics impact Tāmaki Makaurau.
As a part of their energy policy, the current national-led government has reopened the door to offshore oil and gas exploration and mining after it was banned under the previous government. Last week, we saw reports of the first bid under the scheme, a sign of further oil and gas projects.
Alongside this the government has put through legislation increasing the maximum amount energy companies can be fined by three times, they say, to increase accountability.
Finally, rumours swirl that the central government is about to step in to override the rezoning plan crafted by the Auckland Council once again, as the groups protest the plan enabling higher-rise buildings around transport hubs.
For this week's Weekly Catch-up with the Green Party, Wire Producer Manny spoke to MP Recardo Menendez March about the expansion of fines on energy companies and the central government's intervention in Auckland Council's zoning plans. But first we discussed the first bid in offshore oil and gas.
The survey provides world-first substantial evidence of how unaffordable clean fuel supply can generate severe risks for health and climate in these communities.
Co-author Professor Hari Vuthaluru from Curtin's Western Australian School of Mines said toxic emissions, health issues and food contamination were among the consequences of this practice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Vuthaluru further about the study in light of the environmental consequences.
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