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.
A petition has recently been launched calling for the reforming of New Zealand's name change laws.
Under the current system, those between the ages of 16 to 18 are still legally required to receive signed approval from both of their parents outside of certain circumstances.
This can be especially an issue for trans tamariki who have rough relationships with parents, forcing deadnames in legal documents and objects.
Liam had a chat with Willow Heron, who launched the petition, about the current state of our laws and what she thinks needs to change.
Supermarket workers begin the initiation process for Fair Pay Agreements today, via their union. They are bargaining for wage increases as inflation continues to soar, along with wage progression and improved health and safety standards. While FPAs have garnered significant opposition from business associations and the Parliamentary right, the mood among supermarket workers is one of excitement, solidarity, and hope for future generations.
Hanna spoke to Nerissa Harding, a supermarket worker and organiser with the Council of Trade Unions, about what prospects the negotiations hold for her, her co-workers, and the industry.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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