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.
For our regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez-March about the government’s recently proposed changes to the Employment relations act, the Waitangi Tribunal’s findings regarding the marine and coastal area act and the release of a draft list of 35 minerals considered essential to New Zealand’s economy.
He spoke to Marama Muru-Lanning from the University of Auckland, to discuss the idea of establishing Maori-led hospitals.
And he spoke to Robert G. Patman from the University of Otago to discuss New Zealand’s ambiguous stance on the war in Gaza, and the steps we should take to clarify our position.
Sasha spoke to Associate Professor Mark Thomas of Molecular Medicine and Pathology from the University of Auckland about the emerging MPOX vaccine.
He also spoke to associate professor Laslzo Sajtos at the University of Business School about the recent implementation of facial recognition technology in Woolworths stores.
Three years ago, the kaumatua hauora research team from the James Henare research centre from the university of Auckland, met with a number of Kaumātua and elderly Māori from the Waikato region to discuss the experiences of Kaumātua in healthcare facilities across Aotearoa.
The study found that Kaumatua largely had unpleasant experiences in healthcare facilities, that they felt misunderstood by Pākeha healthcare professionals, were placed in mixed gender wards and often times left neglected.
On top pressing concerns regarding the health disparities between Māori and non-Māori, the study prompted discussions about opening Māori led hospitals, which would be hollistic centres run by Iwi and Māori organisations operating with a kaupapa Māori approach.
Oto spoke to Associate Professor of Social Sciences at the University of Auckland Marama Muru-Lanning to discuss the concept of Maori hospitals and the steps needed to establish them.
New Zealand’s stance on Israel’s war on Gaza, for many foreign policy experts has been anything but clear. Foreign minister Winston Peters has called for a humanitarian ceasefiirie in the UN General Assembly but has been reluctant to recognise a Palestinian state.
However, the government has had no qualms about deploying Naval personnel to the Red Sea to assist the United States in combatting the Houthis, whose illegal attacks on shipping vessels have been carried out in opposition to Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza strip.
Oto spoke to Professor Robert G. Patman from the University of Otago to discuss New Zealand’s ambiguous stance on the war in Gaza, and the steps we should take to clarify our position.
The government recently announced a number of amendments to the employment relations act which would clarify whether a worker was legally considered to be an employee or a contractor.
The amendments included a test with four added criteria, such as a written agreement with the worker specifying they were an independent contractor and that the business did not restrict the worker from working for other businesses and requiring them to take on additional tasks and engagements among other criteria.
If a worker met all of the criteria specified in the act, they would be considered as a contractor and wouldn’t be able to challenge their employment status through the courts.
While Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said that the changes would provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses, union members and labour rights advocates have criticised the move, saying that it would allow companies to strip away the rights of workers to boost profit margins.
For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the recent changes to the Employment Relations Act and the party’s take on it.
They also had a korero about the Waitangi tribunal’s findings into the recent changes to the Marine and Coastal Areas act, as well as the recently released draft list of 35 minerals considered essential to New Zealand’s economy.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown recently proposed a second bridge across the Auckland harbour, which would go from Point Chevalier to Kauri Point on the North Shore. The new project would be aimed at reducing congestion, however, many are sceptical that it would have any impact due to the lack of existing infrastructure.
Wire host Castor spoke to senior lecturer of urban planning, Dr. Timothy Welch, about the proposal and potential issues with congestion and transport infrastructure.
On Friday the 13th September, Pharmac opened consultation for funding of the medication, Enhertu, for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
This comes following the $604 million funding boost allocated to Pharmac to fund and widen access to various medicines.
Trials have shown that the drug can reduce risks of breast cancer patients death by 27%.
Producer Josef spoke to the Chief Executive of Breast Cancer New Zealand, Ah-Leen Rayner, about the drug's funding, and what more can be done for breast cancer patients.
The government recently announced proposed changes to the Marine and Coastal Area Act, which, among other changes, would require iwi to prove continuous and uninterrupted occupation of a coastal area since 1840 to make a claim. The proposed changes were reviewed by the Waitangi Tribunal, and the resulting report was released yesterday. In their weekly catchup, Wire host Castor asked Katie Nimon about the government’s reaction to criticisms in the report.
They also asked about the government’s policies on Māori wards. Last year the National Party campaigned on putting Māori wards to referendums, with the goal of ‘restoring democracy’. Since asking councils to vote on the issue, all but two of Aotearoa’s local councils have voted to retain their wards. Local government minister Simeon Brown has expressed some discontent at this response, implying that the government may push for binding referendums.
Wire host Castor spoke to National’s Katie Nimon about these issues in their weekly catchup, starting with the Marine and Coastal Area Act.
For Dear Science, our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about the ig Nobel Science prizes.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Katie Nimon about the Waitangi Tribunal report on the government’s proposed changes to the Marine and Coastal Areas Act and about Māori wards.
They also spoke to Senior Lecturer of Urban Planning, Dr. Timothy Welch, about Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s proposed second harbour bridge.
And on the Green Desk, Jack Marshall spoke to freshwater scientist, Ian Kusabs, about monitoring kōura, New Zealand’s freshwater crayfish.
And producer Josef spoke to CEO of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, Ah-Leen Rayner, about Pharmac’s proposal to fund Enhertu for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.
The Public Service Association says that the ‘needs not race’ based directive to government agencies is putting all that progress that has been made to improve the lives of Māori at risk.
With the government directing all government agencies that public services must be delivered by need and not race disregards the systemic disadvantages experienced by Māori and Pasifika.
The PSA’s Janice Panoho says that the move will set back Māori for generations at a time when they remain one of the most disadvantaged groups in Aotearoa.
Producer Evie spoke to Panoho about these concerns and what impacts she believes this directive may have.
For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Mariameno Kapa-Kingi about updates regarding the Treaty Principles Bill, as well as Te Pāti Māori MP, Hana-Rawhiti Maipa-Clarke, being a recipient of the One Young World Politician of the year award.
For our weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about a government directive to create a public service that delivers on ‘need not race’, and the draft treaty principals bill being tabled at cabinet for the first time.
Producer Evie also spoke to the Public Service Association’s Janice Panoho about what the government has labelled ‘a colourblind public service’, and some of the concerns that come with us.
Host Joel spoke to Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Caroline Shaw, regarding a new study showing that ‘decarbonising’ transport would have a signficant impact on health; mental and physical.
Producer Evie spoke to the University of Auckland’s Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law Treasa Dunworth about her request for an inquiry to be made into whether New Zealand is sharing intelligence to aid Israel in its war on Gaza.
And finally, Host Joel spoke to the National Secretary for Retail and Finance at First Union, Rudd Hughes, about the Woolworths strikes that took place last week, with extra walkouts being planned for the 17th of September.
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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