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The Wire

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.

A technological approach to Mental Health Services w/ Kaaren Mathias: October 26, 2022

A technological approach to Mental Health Services w/ Kaaren Mathias: October 26, 2022 A technological approach to Mental Health Services w/ Kaaren Mathias: October 26, 2022, 14.21 MB
Wed 26 Oct 2022

Technological solutions to fill the gap in mental health care are alluring. However, they can be regarded as a cheap, scalable way to solve the knotty problem of mental distress, without requiring investment in people, communities and broader causes of mental ill-health such as racism, poverty or the way we design our cities.

Joe speaks to Kaaren Mathias, a Senior Lecturer from the University of Canterbury, on the matter.

The Wire w/ Joe: October 26, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: October 26, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: October 26, 2022, 110.01 MB
Wed 26 Oct 2022

This week on The Wire for Rāapa Wednesday!

News and Editorial Director Jess Hopkins speaks to David Seymour in our weekly chat with the ACT Party.

Joe looks at the suicide rate dropping for the third year as well as having a korero about mental health. He speaks to Shaun Robinson, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, and Kaaren Mathias, a Senior Lecturer from the University of Canterbury.

We have Eurovision with our European Correspondent Cameron Adams! 

Joe also speaks to Rhys Jones Associate Professor Te Kupenga Hauora Maori, at the University of Auckland about Health inequities between Māori and non-Māori adults costing NZ$863.3 million per year.

That's us for this weeks Wednesday Wire!

Eurovision w/ Cameron Adams: October 26, 2022

Eurovision w/ Cameron Adams: October 26, 2022 Eurovision w/ Cameron Adams: October 26, 2022, 17.81 MB
Wed 26 Oct 2022

Eurovision is back! This week I spoke to our  European Correspondent Cameron Adams about The War in Ukraine, Britain's new Prime Minister and much more!

Annual Provisional Suicide Data w/ Shaun Robinson: October 26, 2022

Annual Provisional Suicide Data w/ Shaun Robinson: October 26, 2022 Annual Provisional Suicide Data w/ Shaun Robinson: October 26, 2022, 26.55 MB
Wed 26 Oct 2022

Yesterday, the Annual Provision Suicide Data was released. It showed that 538 people died by suspected suicide, down from 607 the year before and 628 in the year to 2020. 

This release showed the rate per 100,000 was 10.2, which is statistically lower than the average rate over the last 13 financial years. It is also the third year in row suicides have decreased. 

The Mental Health Foundation says, "each of these 538 people leave behind grieving whānau and friends. We send you all our aroha and acknowledge your deep pain and loss.”

Joe spoke to the Chief Executive of The Mental Health Foundation, Shaun Robinson, on the matter.

 

Maori Health Inequity w/ Rhys Jones: October 26, 2022

Maori Health Inequity w/ Rhys Jones: October 26, 2022 Maori Health Inequity w/ Rhys Jones: October 26, 2022, 21.38 MB
Wed 26 Oct 2022

Māori health inequity directly costs the health system $39.9 million per year, according to a new Indigenous-led study. When researchers added indirect costs of $823.4 million from lost years of life and lost wages, which were mostly borne directly by Māori whānau, the overall cost skyrocketed to over $863.3 million.

Māori significantly under-utilised primary care, creating an annual saving to the health system of $49.4 million per year. The authors point out that these are conservative estimates, and say that the 'cost of doing nothing' about health inequity is predominantly borne by Indigenous communities and society - less than 5% of the cost is borne by the health system.

Joe spoke to Rhys Jones, Associate Professor in Te Kupenga Hauora Maori, from the University of Auckland on the matter.

Restore Passenger Rail w/ Rosemary Penwarden: October 25, 2022

Restore Passenger Rail w/ Rosemary Penwarden: October 25, 2022 Restore Passenger Rail w/ Rosemary Penwarden: October 25, 2022, 15.02 MB
Tue 25 Oct 2022

Restore Passenger Rail is a environmental protest group which has been garnering headlines for disrupting traffic on Wellington highways and glueing themselves to roads.
Over the past two weeks members of the campaign blocked the Urban motorway, and Transmission Gully tunnel and abseiled down the entrance of Mount Victoria tunnel.

Casper spoke to Restore Passenger Rail spokesperson Rosemary Penwarden about their movement and why they believe it’s so urgent that we have passenger rail brought back across the country.

 

Liz Truss' Resignation w/ Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr Neal Curtis: October 21, 2022

Liz Truss' Resignation w/ Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr Neal Curtis: October 21, 2022 Liz Truss' Resignation w/ Dr Oliver Hartwich and Dr Neal Curtis: October 21, 2022, 15.62 MB
Tue 25 Oct 2022

Liz Truss has resigned after just six weeks as UK prime minister, following her failed economic policy. 

The Conservative Party, which holds a big majority in parliament will now elect a new leader by October 28.

First News & Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to the Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative, a public policy think tank in Wellington, Dr Oliver Hartwich about Truss’ 45 tumultuous days as Prime Minister and what happens now. 

Next, she spoke to Associate Professor of Media and Communication at the University of Auckland, Dr Neal Curtis about the current state of UK politics. 

Reviewing Aotearoa's Electoral Law w/ Panel Member Alice Mander: October 25, 2022

Reviewing Aotearoa's Electoral Law w/ Panel Member Alice Mander: October 25, 2022 Reviewing Aotearoa's Electoral Law w/ Panel Member Alice Mander: October 25, 2022 , 5.48 MB
Tue 25 Oct 2022

An independent panel was appointed by the Minister of Justice in May to lead a review of Aotearoa’s electoral law. 

The independent electoral review will look at election rules such as the voting age and overseas voting funding of political parties. 

The panel is looking for people to share their thoughts on what could make our electoral system better before it makes its final recommendations to the Government at the end of 2023.

Host, Jessica spoke to Victoria University student and disability advocate Alice Mander, about what the panel is expected to discuss and who they want to hear from.

The Wire with Casper: October 25, 2022

The Wire with Casper: October 25, 2022 The Wire with Casper: October 25, 2022, 102.43 MB
Tue 25 Oct 2022

Happy Tuesday! On today's Wire with Christina and Casper. Allan Blackman joined the team live on air to talk Black Plague, mozzies and the DART mission for Dear Science.

Casper spoke to Dr Shane Reti from the National Party for their weekly segment about their proposed social investment fund. He also had a kōrero with Rosemary Penwarden from Restore Passenger Rail about their campaign and recent protest activity on Wellington highways.

Christina spoke to Dr Stephen Noakes, a senior politics lecturer from the University of Auckland, about the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress and Xi Jinping's continued grasp on power. She also reported on Rishi Sunak, who is set to become UK's next Prime Minister in the wake of Liz Truss' resignation last week.

New UK PM Rishi Sunak: October 25, 2022

New UK PM Rishi Sunak: October 25, 2022 New UK PM Rishi Sunak: October 25, 2022, 6.36 MB
Tue 25 Oct 2022

The stage is set for a new UK prime minister after contenders one by one ruled themselves out of the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.

Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor, will lead the country in a time of political and economic turmoil in Britain, in the wake of Liz Truss after just 45 days as PM.

Christina Huang reports.

Political "fear-mongering" on Auckland Council's Waitākere Ranges management proposal w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 01 May, 2025

Political "fear-mongering" on Auckland Council's Waitākere Ranges management proposal w/ Councillor Shane Henderson Political "fear-mongering" on Auckland Council's Waitākere Ranges management proposal w/ Councillor Shane Henderson, 12.74 MB
Thu 1 May 2025

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

International Desk: What the Canadian election results say about strategic voting, Trump, and young people w/ Vote16 Canada’s Aleksi Toiviainen: 1 May, 2025

International Desk: What the Canadian election results say about strategic voting, Trump, and young people w/ Vote16 Canada’s Aleksi Toiviainen: 1 May, 2025 International Desk: What the Canadian election results say about strategic voting, Trump, and young people w/ Vote16 Canada’s Aleksi Toiviainen: 1 May, 2025, 23.97 MB
Thu 1 May 2025

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.

Prisoner voting rights and the strikes happening this May Day w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 May, 2025

Prisoner voting rights and the strikes happening this May Day w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 May, 2025 Prisoner voting rights and the strikes happening this May Day w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 May, 2025, 10.9 MB
Thu 1 May 2025

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.

Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 29th April, 2025

Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 29th April, 2025 Northwest transport upgrades and teachers registration fees w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 29th April, 2025, 11.53 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

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.

Get Action! Fairness for the Hospitalised Stop Benefit Cuts After 13 Weeks w/ President of New Zealand ME Society Fiona Charlton: 30 April, 2025

Get Action! Fairness for the Hospitalised Stop Benefit Cuts After 13 Weeks w/ President of New Zealand ME Society Fiona Charlton: 30 April, 2025 Get Action! Fairness for the Hospitalised Stop Benefit Cuts After 13 Weeks w/ President of New Zealand ME Society Fiona Charlton: 30 April, 2025, 20.16 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

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:

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 30 April, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 30 April, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 30 April, 2025, 23.96 MB
Wed 30 Apr 2025

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.

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 29th April, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 29th April, 2025 Cushla McGoverin: 29th April, 2025, 17.43 MB
Tue 29 Apr 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about tree climbing salamanders, lab grown teeth, warnings for volcanic eruptions

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

ECE Regulations, NZ First Gender Bill and ACC Ethnic Outcomes w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 28 April, 2025

ECE Regulations, NZ First Gender Bill and ACC Ethnic Outcomes w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 28 April, 2025 ECE Regulations, NZ First Gender Bill and ACC Ethnic Outcomes w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 28 April, 2025, 24.8 MB
Mon 28 Apr 2025

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. 

International Desk: The backlash to the UK Supreme Court excluding trans women from its definition of “woman” w/ TransActual’s Jane Fae: 24 April, 2025.

International Desk: The backlash to the UK Supreme Court excluding trans women from its definition of “woman” w/ TransActual’s Jane Fae: 24 April, 2025. , 18.98 MB
Thu 24 Apr 2025

The United Kingdom Supreme Court has ruled that trans women do not meet the definition of women under UK equality laws.

The decision means services for women, such as refuges, hospital wards, and toilets, can exclude trans women.

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Jane Fae, a director at TransActual UK, about this decision and its backlash.

The cross-party delegation to the Pacific, NZ First’s trans-exclusionary definition of sex bill and his threat to cut funding to RNZ w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 24 April, 2025

The cross-party delegation to the Pacific, NZ First’s trans-exclusionary definition of sex bill and his threat to cut funding to RNZ w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 24 April, 2025 The cross-party delegation to the Pacific, NZ First’s trans-exclusionary definition of sex bill and his threat to cut funding to RNZ w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 24 April, 2025, 14.19 MB
Thu 24 Apr 2025

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.