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 25-cent Fuel Tax Excise has been extended another 6 months, to January 2023. The Fuel Tax Excise had been set by the Labour Government as fuel prices steadily increased months ago.
The cut in petrol excise duty, the equivalent reduction in road user charges and the half price public transport fares were due to end next month before this extension.
Petrol prices increased 32% in the year to the June 2022 quarter, the largest annual increase since 1985.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson extended the measures, saying "We are doing this because we want Kiwis to have some certainty for the rest of the year in the face of volatile fuel prices and ongoing cost of living pressure," he said.
Inflation rates have also been released, rising to 7.3% and is now at a 32-year high.
Producer Trishil Dahya spoke to Economics Professor Tim Hazeldean from the University of Auckland, on the matter, and his proposals to mediate inflation.
Joe speaks to Dr Nic Rawlence from the Palaeogenetics Lab at the University of Otago about extinct marine reptiles which once roamed Aotearoa's waters.
Trishil speaks to Andrew Hubbard from the Citizens Advice Bureau on this week's segment of OurActionStation: about their push to open accessibility for digital governmental services. Trishil also speaks to Emeritus Economics Professor Tim Hazledean from the University of Auckland about the extension of the fuel tax cut
Joe speaks to Professor Jeremy Krebs, from the University of Otago, about developing Aotearoa New Zealand's wellbeing diet, He Rourou Whai Painga. Joe also speaks to Professor Michael Baker from the University of Otago about how Australia and New Zealand are managing COVID-19 during Winter. He also chats with Dr Nic Rawlence, from the Palaeogenetics Lab at the University of Otago, about New Zealand's extinct reptiles.
The High Court has ruled in favour of Auckland Transport in a case brought against the council managed organisation by All Aboard Aotearoa.
The case was over Auckland Transport’s Regional Land Transport Plan or RLTP which would lead to a 6% increase in transport emissions in Auckland.
Casper spoke to Zoe Brentnall from All Aboard Aotearoa about the case and what the RLTP says about the council's commitment to combatting climate change.
The latest Market Report released by the Retail Institute of New Zealand shows a slow in price growth as well as a decrease in the volume of house sales.
A move by the Reserve Bank this week to raise the official cash rate to 2.5 percent may lead to further impact on the real estate market.
To get a sense of what this data means, especially in terms of future housing affordability, Casper spoke to Jen Baird from the Retail Institute.
The government has recently announced that they’re moving the make masks and RAT tests free to encourage people protecting themselves against the winter Covid wave.
Although we will not remain at Red, the country is likely to reach another peak of twenty one thousand towards the end of the month.
The masks and tests will be accessible fromm collection spots and incredibly important to getting us through winter according to Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.
To learn more, Liam had a chat with Michael Plank, a professor at the University of Canterbury specialising in applying mathematics to health.
First Union and E tū have launched a court case against Technology and transport giant Uber.
The groups believe the company has been refusing to take responsibility for their workers and aren't treating them as employees.
Uber has been under mass criticism across the world lately, as a trove of leaked files have shown how the companies leaders were making unethical decisions consciously.
Today saw Casper host his final Friday Wire before the Second Semester Schedule Shakeup™ sees him take over the Tuesday Wire and Liam take on hosting duties from next Friday onwards! On todays show.
Casper had a chat with All Aboard Aotearoa about the recent High Court ruling on their case with Auckland Transport alongside City Counsellor Pippa Coom.
Liam had a chat with Michael Plank from the University of Canterbury about recent government changes making masks and RAT tests free.
They also spoke with Anita Rosentreter about First Unions court case against Uber.
Casper also had a chat with someone from the Real Estate Institute about housing market data and what all of the numbers mean.
And finally Liam chatted to Christchurch City Councillor James McLellan about Te Kaha, the city's new stadium, being given the go ahead.
After weeks of tension, the Ōtautahii City Council has voted to begin construction on Te Kaha, a brand new stadium for the city.
The cost of 683 million dollars for construction has been a major point of contention, but the effects of civic pride and support for the city's events industry could make it worth it. .
Liam had a chat with Jake McLelland, the Christchurch Central West councillor about the stadium located in his ward.
Earlier this week, Nasa unveiled a series of images taken from the James Webb Space Telescope. Launched on Christmas Day last year, the telescope is the largest optical telescope in space, and its greatly improved infrared resolution and sensitivity allows it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope.
To get the reaction of astronomers and scientists to these images, Emilia spoke to Professor Richard Easther from the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland
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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