Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Sara Mckoy, Max Micheel, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
For their weekly catch up, Hanna spoke to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about MP Meka Whaitiri quitting the Labour Party to join Te Pāti Māori. Whaitiri's statements indicate the jump was prompted by Labour dropping co-governance in its Three Waters reforms, disregarding obligations under Te Tiriti guaranteeing Māori authority over natural resources. They discussed what differentiates Te Pāti Māori from Labour, and why Whaitiri aligns herself more with the former than the latter.
Te Pāti Māori have also signed a letter with other inigenous peoples in the Commonwealth calling for the King to apologise for the harms of colonisation, and have a petition underway seeking to remove the British royal family as Aotearoa's head of state. Hanna and Takutai Kemp discussed these in light of the coronation of King Charles, and foundations for a Tiriti-centric Aotearoa.
Hanna Thompson spoke to Te Pati Māori's Takutai Kemp about their petition to remove the British Monarchy as our head of state, and former Labour MP Meka Whaitiri joining Te Pati Māori.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to ACT’s Karen Chhour about Kiwirail track infrastructure problems, the Ute Tax, and ACT’s stance on calls for Aotearoa to become a republic.
And Vaccinologist at the University of Auckland Helen Petousois-Harris about her concerns Aotearoa could have a measles outbreak.
Caeden Tipler spoke to InsideOut’s Awhi Marshall and Waipapa Taumata Rau’s John Fenaughty on The Disinformation Project’s latest report on Transphobia in Aotearoa.
Nicholas, Lindstrom spoke to Lewis Holden from the New Zealand Republic campaign about why they believe Aotearoa should become a republic, and Graeme Edgeler, an expert in constitutional law, about the legal implications and processes of becoming a republic
The Disinformation Project released a report last week which confirmed that since Posie Parker's arrival in Aotearoa in late March, there has been an increase in anti-trans hate in far right circles.
Caeden spoke to Awhi Marshall (Te Arawa, Tainui) who is a student and InsideOut Kōaro board member on her perspective on the report as a trans and takatāpui person with experience in this space. Awhi uses she/they pronouns.
Caeden also spoke John Fenaughty, a cis (he/him) Senior Lecturer in Counselling, Human Services and Social Work at Waipapa Taumata Rau the University of Auckland. John spoke on anti-trans discrimination and the role of academics in gathering this data. Here are these interviews.
In the wake of cyclone gabrielle, the way that we build back from the widespread damage caused is a topic of debate. Safety needs to be ensured, and environmental considerations are also important. But how do we merge these two issues? With around 50% of all waste in the country coming from the building and demolition industries, more needs to be done to reuse materials. Dr. Kris Roy is a senior lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Waikato and is an expert on the circular economy and has spoken about 'building back better'. Simon began by asking Dr. Roy what it means to build back better.
Marnie Prickett is an expert on fresh water and is BFM's water reporter. For this month's chat Marnie goes in depth on the regional plans for the new fresh water policy that council's are discussing around the country at the moment. Marnie highlights why this policy is important and why everyone should submit their opinions to local councils. She also discusses the health of lakes in Taranaki. Marnie began by discussing regional freshwater policy and the impact it will have on our waterways.
On the Rāpare Wire this week, Spike speaks to:
- Labour MP Andrew Little on his trip to Gallipoli for ANZAC Day and more NZDF support for Ukraine
- Dr. George Laking on Australia's move to prescription-only vape products
- and Alec Toleafoa on the history of the Dawn Raids and Pasifika migrant labour
and Simon speaks to:
- Shane Henderson on Council budget submissions and the integrated transport plan for City Counselling
- Dr. Kris Roy on building back better after Cyclone Gabrielle and reducing waste in the construction industry
- and Marnie Prickett, 95bFM's Water Reporter, on regional freshwater policy
Slated for a July launch, the Euclid satellite will scan the depths of the universe in order to help astronomers and other scientists better understand physics and the origins of the universe.
The two tonne satellite will be launched on a SpaceX rocket, and it features two sets of imaging equipment capable of taking photos of parts of the universe 10 billion years old.
Arno spoke to Richard Easther, University of Auckland astrophysicist about the Euclid satellite. Arno started by asking him what astronomers hope to uncover.
Emilia chats to Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw about the Emissions Trading Scheme following advice from the Climate Change Commission.
Andre talks to Anti-AUKUS Coalition member, John Richards, and Dr Arama Rata about the anti-AUKUS protest outside of Parliament last week and Nanaia Mahuta’s comments on Newshub Nation about AUKUS.
On The Green Desk, Jack Marshall interviews Julie Dillip from the University of Victoria about the state of Aotearoa’s wetlands.
Nicholas spoke to Professor Craig Elliffe about the IRD wealth tax reports and its implications on our tax system.
Arno speaks to Kelly Burrowes, from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, about prescription-model vaping
Arno also speaks to Richard Easther, astrophysicist at the University of Auckland, about the Euclid space mission
AUKUS has continued to be a contentious topic within Aotearoa’s political discourse. Last week, Nanaia Mahuta said on Newshub Nation that there isn’t enough visibility on the pillars of AUKUS to comprehend what impacts it would have for Aotearoa. Last Friday there was an anti-AUKUS demonstration outside parliament. Led by the anti-AUKUS coalition, the ‘don’t be a dAUKUS’ protest urged Chris Hipkins to declare that Aotearoa won’t join the agreement.
To learn more about the anti-AUKUS coalition and the meaning behind the protest, Andre spoke to John Richards, spokesperson and member of the anti-AUKUS coalition.
To receive comments and analysis firstly on John Richards’s comments about AUKUS, and about Nanaia Mahuta’s denial of Aoteroa joining AUKUS, Andre then spoke to Doctor Arama Rata from Te Kuaka, a group that advocates for progressive foreign policy.
From Dec 27 to Jan 18, all train lines across Tāmaki will be shutting down for summer maintenance, a closure which is expected to be the last of its kind ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
The current measles outbreak in Tāmaki is being continually monitored, with exposure sites being updated daily on info.health.nz. The public are encouraged to track whether they’ve been in possible contact with the virus, and get up to date on any vaccinations to limit possibilities of transmission.
Auckland Council are supporting arts initiatives across the summer months, with Music in the Park kicking off in early January, and Movies in the Park following in February.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, and also asked for comment following the attack by two gunmen at Bondi Beach earlier this week.
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
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