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.
New Zealand media has recently come under the spotlight with staff strikes at media outlet Stuff, where journalists and workers demanded more pay. The office of the minister of broadcasting and media has recently announced that the government plans to introduce legislation that would make large news aggregator sites like Facebook and Google reach formal agreements with local news outlets before being able to re-post or link to their news.
Arno spoke with Professor James Hollings of Massey University to find out more.
Spike speaks to Lisa Burns from Cystic Fibrosis NZ about Pharmac's decision to fund Trikafta, a "life saving" drug for people living with cystic fibrosis, and Jodi Johnston from Campaign for Better Transport about the government's new $350m transport funding package.
Arno speaks to Eugenie Sage about the Three Waters Reform and Labour's decision to remove the anti-privatisation clause from the legislation, and Professor James Hollings about the announcement of a "fair pay" law between news aggregators like Google and local news organisations here.
The Three Waters reform aims to provide safe, reliable drinking water, better environmental performance of wastewater and stormwater services, efficient, sustainable, resilient and accountable multi-regional water sewage services, and making it affordable for future generations. Taumata Arowai has already been established as the new water regulator and aims to strengthen regulation around the three waters - drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
Arno spoke with Green Party spokesperson Eugnie Sage to get an overview of the issue and what might happen going forward.
Spike speaks to Lisa Burns from Cystic Fibrosis NZ about Pharmac's decision to fund Trikafta, a "life saving" drug for people living with cystic fibrosis.
The world is under growing pressure to find sustainable options to cut emissions. Using technologie to interfere in the climate and stop global warming is sounding more and more enticing. Technology entrepreneurs from around the globe claim to have the solutions using geo-engineering. What are those technologies and is it a good idea to use them? Do those technology solutions really lead to sustainable solutions? Or are we distracted by visions of a technological future and do they distract us from what is really needed: cutting emissions.
Daniel spoke with Cindy Baxter, an investigative researcher and policy advisor and she worked over 30 years on a range of environmental issues.
Joe speaks to Professor Janet Hoek, from the University of Otago, Wellington, about the recently greenlit Smokefree Bill. Joe also speaks to Dr Nic Rawlence from the paleogenetics lab at the University of Otago about how paleoecology and ancient DNA can help inform whether Mahinga Kai practices could be sustainable, as well as how a CT scan of a toothed bird fossil has possibly changed the history of modern birds.
Daniel speaks to Cindy Baxter, from the Coal Action Network about what role Geoengineering plays in climate action.
David spoke to Mike Lee for our regular segment City Counselling. They spoke about Auckland's railway network. David also spoke to Jason Young, a Politics and International Relations professor from Victoria University of Wellington, about the protests occurring in China.
A new report has called for a partnership with tangata whenua will be at the heart of our National Parks. Conservationists believe this could weaken the protection of the environment, while Iwi say it could end 135 years of alienation from their land. Joe spoke to Dr Nic Rawlence, from the Paleogenetics lab at the University of Otago, about how paleoecology and ancient dna could be beneficial. They also spoke about how a CT scan of a toothed bird fossil has possibly changed the history of modern birds.
The Health Select Committee has given the go-ahead to the Smokefree Bill this week. The report makes additional recommendations such as limiting the number of tobacco retailers to no more than 600.
Yesterday, Action for Smokefree 2025 (ASH) released their Year 10 survey, which gave some insight into smoking amongst adolescents. The survey showed that smoking rates were declining, however, vaping rates were increasing. In addition, the survey a larger rise for Māori teens using tobacco.
Joe speaks to Professor Janet Hoek from the University of Otago, Wellington, on the matter.
Numerous political figures including Ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour have spoken out in the media this week with allegations that Auckland Council is trying to usher in ‘co-governance’ on a local level, with their proposal on the management of the Waitākere Ranges.
CEO of Te Kawerau ā Maki Edward Ashby called out the political lashback as “fear-mongering” and ‘misinformation’, affirming that the proposal is not actually a co-governance structure.
The proposal is for a decision-making committee of 50% representation from the Crown and tangata whenua to manage the land under a deed of acknowledgement.
The council says the deed of acknowledgement is in line with the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Act 2008, and follows on from the existing management structures in place.
Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson during his bus commute about this topic and the political commentary that’s been witnessed this week. Here is that interview
The Canadian election has been won by Mark Carney’s Liberal Party.
Despite losing the election, the Conservatives made significant gains in their levels of support, particularly with young people.
United States President Donald Trump also loomed large in the election, following his comments earlier this year that he would make Canada the “51st state” and the trade war he has started with Canada.
For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Aleksi Toiviainen, co-organiser for Vote16 Canada and democracy advocate, about the results of the election.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced a total ban on prisoners voting will be reinstated.
The move has been criticised by the opposition parties, as well as those working in criminal justice.
Today is May Day, also known as International Workers Day and unions across Aotearoa are taking action against what they say is an “anti-worker agenda” from this government.
Workers across a wide range of industries are stopping work and taking strike action.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these issues.
Last week Transport minister Chris Bishop announced steps towards improvements to public transport from the Northwest of Auckland. The plan involves three stages, each promoting faster and more consistent public transport from the region. While early stages are planned for the next few years, later stages will be coming over the next ten or more years.
The government has also announced $53 million towards subsidising teachers registration fees. This announcement follows extensive campaigning from teachers on this issue, eliminating a barrier for new and long-time teachers in Aotearoa.
In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues, starting with the transport upgrades in Northwest Auckland.
In March this year, the government made the decision to reduce the benefit for hospital patients who remain hospitalised after 13 weeks.
After 13 weeks, those experiencing long-term hospitalisation would see their benefit reduced to their "hospital rate" which was $55.35 a week (after tax), unless the person has a partner and a child or is a veteran.
For this week’s Get Action! I spoke to Fiona Charlton, volunteer president of New Zealand ME Society, who’s started a petition calling on the government to roll back benefit cuts to people experiencing long-term hospitalisation.
If you’d like to sign this petition, you can find it here:
Just yesterday, Finance Minister Nicola Willis made her Pre-Budget speech, in the leadup to Budget 2025 which will be delivered next month.
During her speech, Willis said that the government would be halving the operating allowance from $2.4 Billion to $1.3 Billion, going to a select number of government departments that Willis has described as “the most important priorities.”
The week before, it came to light that Climate Minister Simon Watts had rejected advice to review the carbon subsidies given to polluting companies like NZ steel and Methanex.
And the Greens recently made a call to the government to ban the use of engineered stone products.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire host Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez-March about all of these issues.
In his role as regulation Minister, David Seymour is moving to simplify regulations for Early Childhood Education Centres by the end of this year.
This involves a review containing 15 recommendations, which cabinet has accepted. These recommendations concern a vast number of things, from simplifying licensing criteria for pre-schools to lowering qualification requirements for early childhood educators.
Both of these areas have sparked concern within the sector, with some educators concerned the review is simply a cost cutting exercise that will result in tamariki being put at risk.
For our weekly catch up Producer Evie spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about the review.
They also spoke about New Zealand First’s Members Bill aiming to have the biological definition of a woman and man defined in law.
And finally they discussed a clash between the party and National’s Scott Simpson over an ACC plan to reduce injury for Māori and Pasifika workers.
A cross-party delegation of MPs recently visited Tonga, Hawai’i and Vanuatu as part of a Pacific trip organised by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters.
Earlier this week, New Zealand First proposed new legislation that would exclude trans communities from the definition of “woman” and “man” in law.
Winston Peters defended the bill on RNZ’s Morning Report, where he called interviewer Corin Dann a “disgrace” for raising the criticism against the bill that was brought forward by opposition parties.
During this interview, Peters threatened to cut RNZ’s government funding.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics.
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