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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.

Drownings in Aotearoa w/ Daniel Gerrard: July 26, 2022

Drownings in Aotearoa w/ Daniel Gerrard Drownings in Aotearoa w/ Daniel Gerrard, 14.38 MB
Tue 26 Jul 2022

A Water Safety New Zealand report has revealed ninety people died by drowning just last year, the worst year for drowning fatalities since 2011.

Emily chatted with Water Safety New Zealand’s Chief executive Daniel Gerrard about the report’s findings and risk factors associated with drownings in Aotearoa.

 

NZ-China Relationship w/ Jason Young: July 26, 2022

NZ-China Relationship w/ Jason Young: July 26, 2022 NZ-China Relationship w/ Jason Young: July 26, 2022, 15.52 MB
Tue 26 Jul 2022

New Zealand’s close yet complicated relationship with China has been the subject of lively political and public debate for many years.

Fifty years ago, New Zealand began diplomatic ties and in 2008 we were the first country to secure a Free Trade Agreement with China. 

Emily spoke with Jason Young, the director of the New Zealand China Resarch Institute about New Zealand’s evolving relationship with China.

 

Tomorrow's World with Isla Christensen & Stella Huggins: Kauri Dieback

Tomorrow's World with Isla Christensen & Stella Huggins: July 25 2022 Tomorrow's World with Isla Christensen & Stella Huggins: July 25 2022, 22.2 MB
Mon 25 Jul 2022

On this episode of Tomorrow's World Isla and Stella discuss how mātauranga Māori can aid science in the management of kauri dieback. They talk with Dr Amanda Black and Dr Nick Waipara about the cultural significance of kauri and the scope of biosecurity in Aotearoa.

The Wire w/ Joe: July 25, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: July 25, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: July 25, 2022, 108.86 MB
Mon 25 Jul 2022

This week on The Wire for Rāhina Monday!

Joe speaks to Dr Michele Bannister, a Senior Lecturer from the University of Canterbury about scientists seeking meteorite footage. He also chats to Paul Scofield, a Senior Curator of Natural History and Adjunct Professor in Palaeontology in the Geology Department at the University of Canterbury about the ancient waterfowl recently found at St Bathans in Central Otago. 

Trishil speaks to Professor Lara Greaves about the Green Party Leadership Vote and Professor Stephen Hoadley about the Grain Crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s disinformation campaign against the West on the matter.

Isla and Stella discuss how Mātauranga Māori can aid science in the management of kauri dieback. They talk with Dr Amanda Black and Dr Nick Waipara about the cultural significance of kauri and the scope of biosecurity in Aotearoa.

That's us for this weeks Monday Wire!

Ancient Waterfowl discovered at Saint Bathans w/ Paul Scofield: July 25, 2022

Ancient Waterfowl discovered at Saint Bathans w/ Paul Scofield: July 25, 2022 Ancient Waterfowl discovered at Saint Bathans w/ Paul Scofield: July 25, 2022 , 18.34 MB
Mon 25 Jul 2022

Palaeontologists digging near Saint Bathans in Central Otago have discovered a fossil that probably belonged to the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest known swan species. The Bannockburn Swan lived between 16 and 19 million years ago on Lake Manuherikia, a huge lake covering most of modern Central Otago.

Joe spoke to Paul Scofield, a Senior Curator of Natural History and Adjunct Professor in Palaeontology in the Geology Department at the University of Canterbury, about the discovery.

 

Scientists Seeking Meteorite Footage w/ Dr Michele Bannister: July 25, 2022

Scientists Seeking Meteorite Footage w/ Dr Michele Bannister: July 25, 2022 Scientists Seeking Meteorite Footage w/ Dr Michele Bannister: July 25, 2022, 18.32 MB
Mon 25 Jul 2022

A meteor’s sonic boom was heard across South Canterbury at around 8:00pm on Thursday night. It didn’t take long for reports to come through on social media by people from across the South Island. The arrival was caught by at least four specialised meteorite detection cameras, as well as on CCTV and by at least one lucky astrophotographer.

This is New Zealand’s second meteorite this month. On July 7th, a meteor crashed near Wellington during the day with a force equivalent to 1,800 tonnes of TNT, creating a sonic boom heard across New Zealand. Two weeks on, Canterbury experienced its own meteor strike.

Joe spoke to Dr Michele Bannister, a Senior Lecturer from the University of Canterbury, on the matter

Grain Crisis In Ukraine w/ Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations Stephen Hoadley

Grain Crisis In Ukraine w/ Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations Stephen Hoadley Grain Crisis In Ukraine w/ Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations Stephen Hoadley , 29.9 MB
Mon 25 Jul 2022

Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a deal that would reopen blocked Black Sea routes for grain exports.

The major diplomatic breakthrough aims to ease the world shortage of Ukrainian grain sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has left millions at risk of hunger.

Trishil Dahya spoke with Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations Stephen Hoadley on the matter, about his perspective on the deal.

James Shaw Green Party Leadership Vote w/Dr Lara Greaves

James Shaw Green Party Leadership Vote w/Dr Lara Greaves James Shaw Green Party Leadership Vote w/Dr Lara Greaves, 27.43 MB
Mon 25 Jul 2022

James Shaw was ejected from his role as Green Party co-leader on Saturday following a leadership vote during the Green Party annual general meeting.

The decision came down by a minority vote, with 30% of the party choosing to vote against him. Thirty-two out of 107 delegates voted at the party's online annual general meeting more than the 25 percent threshold necessary under the Greens' rules.

Marama Davidson is to remain the sole leader during this time. At this stage, prospective candidates will have a week to put their name forward, followed by 4 weeks of voting. James Shaw has an opportunity to put his name back into the ballot, and if he is the only candidate, he will need to regain the support of 75% of the party.

James Shaw has confirmed his bid to contest the co-leadership following his ousting, after consultation with party members, and family.

I spoke to Professor Lara Greaves about James Shaw’s ousting as Green Party co-leader, and whether there could be next steps.

 

Abuse in Care w/ Debbie Ward: July 22, 2022

Abuse in Care w/ Debbie Ward: July 22, 2022 Abuse in Care w/ Debbie Ward: July 22, 2022, 17.37 MB
Fri 22 Jul 2022

 

The Royal Commission of Inquiries case into Abuse in Care of the disabled, deaf folks, and people who suffered mental distress has recently concluded.

This has revealed some horrific details found in health institutions, with patiests undergoing mental, physical, and sexual abuse.

There’ve also been reports of undertrained staff who consistently have mistreated those who were most vulnerable.

To learn more, Liam spoke to CCS Disability Actions Debbie Ward about the report, first asking about what exactly the abuse in care inquiry is. 

 

Italian Politics w/ Giacomo Lichtner: July 22, 2022

Italian Politics w/ Giacomo Lichtner: July 22, 2022 Italian Politics w/ Giacomo Lichtner: July 22, 2022, 27.93 MB
Fri 22 Jul 2022

Italian politics has been in an immense state of chaos over the past week, as Prime Minister Mario Draghi has successfully resigned after having his former attempt rejected. 

This has come as tensions across political lines within the coalition government have reached their breaking point. 

Despite the PM receiving a vote of confidence, three other major political parties in the cabinet refused to vote.

Liam spoke to Victoria University of Wellington's Giacomo Lichtner about the state of affairs across Italy, first asking about where this divide in the cabinet came from.

AT parking price increase & the Eden Park redevelopment project w/ Councillor Shane Henderson

AT parking price increase & the Eden Park redevelopment project w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 3rd April, 2025 AT parking price increase & the Eden Park redevelopment project w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 3rd April, 2025, 19.24 MB
Thu 3 Apr 2025

Auckland Transport has announced another parking fare increase, pushing up parking across AT-managed lots 50 cents per hour. 

They justified the increase as necessary to cover ‘rising operational costs’ and to cover the Auckland Council’s increased resource commitment to supporting Aucklanders with “issues like blocked driveways, footpaths, and clearways”.

As well, Auckland Council have voted to endorse the redevelopment of Eden Park, in favour of a new waterfront stadium — bringing the latest development in a long-standing discussion about the best approach to attract tourism and financial productivity to Auckland.
All they need now is the government to pitch in $100 million dollars to fund the project.

Producer Sara started her interview with Shane Henderson by asking why raising parking prices was the preferred option for covering council operational costs

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March: 2 April, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March: 2 April, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March: 2 April, 2025, 25.71 MB
Wed 2 Apr 2025

Just recently, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke Van Velden, announced sweeping changes to health and safety regulations for businesses that she described as “low-risk”.

Some of the changes involved: narrowing the focus of the Health and Safety at Work Act to risks only causing death, serious injury or illness, creating a hotline for the public to report “overzealous” road cone placement and reducing "tick-box and safety activities" such as psychosocial harm policies for small businesses. 

Around this same period of time, Greens MPs Tamatha Paul and Benjamin Doyle received intense media and political scrutiny for comments they made at a university panel and on social media respectively, with the backlash towards Doyle forcing them to abstain from parliament this week.

The Greens recently issued a call to the government to scrap their proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, which involve recognising qualifications other than early childhood teaching qualifications, removing up to 74% of ECE licensing criteria and removing requirements for regular updates and family.

In their weekly catchup with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about the party’s take on all of these issues.

The Green Desk: Bird Heros w/ BirdCare Aotearoa’s Pooja Dorle: 2 April, 2025

The Green Desk: Bird Heros w/ BirdCare Aotearoa’s Pooja Dorle: 2 April, 2025 The Green Desk: Bird Heros w/ BirdCare Aotearoa’s Pooja Dorle: 2 April, 2025, 11.36 MB
Wed 2 Apr 2025

BirdCare Aotearoa is a wild, native bird hospital that works to rehabilitate sick and injured birds back into the wild.

For their upcoming event: ‘Bird Heros,’ a part of EcoFest 2025 on the 6th of April, the workshop will look at the best practices on rescuing wild native birds, and will include a tour of their bird hospital, which is not usually open to the public.

For this week's Green Desk, Producer Leilani spoke to the Hospital Manager at BirdCare Aotearoa, Pooja Dorle, about the rehabilitation processes of birds within their hospital ahead of their next workshop.

Fellow Green Desk Producer Liam, and News and Editorial Director Joel, went to the previous workshop over the weekend, and spoke to the Chair of the organisation, Kevin Furgeson, and volunteer Marina, and had a tour of their facilities. Thanks EcoFest!

BirdCare Aotearoa also has a fundraiser running to shed light on seabirds affected by street lights and brightly lit buildings across the city, affecting their migration patterns and causing birds, such as the protected Petrels, Shearwaters, and Prions, to fall and injure themselves. To support their clinical rehabilitation practices, you can support their campaign on givealittle.

Get Action! Protect Public Safety and Psychology in New Zealand w/ Dr Kumari Valentine: 2 April, 2025

Get Action! Protect Public Safety and Psychology in New Zealand w/ Dr Kumari Valentine: 2 April, 2025 Get Action! Protect Public Safety and Psychology in New Zealand w/ Dr Kumari Valentine: 2 April, 2025, 28.55 MB
Wed 2 Apr 2025

For a number of years, Aotearoa has been dealing with a shortage of psychologists and similar professionals to deal with the growing mental health needs of the wider population, with estimates suggesting that an additional 1,000 more psychologists are needed to fill gaps in the profession.

In response to the country’s growing mental health needs, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced a new Associate Psychologist role, consisting of recent post-graduates, to work alongside fully trained Psychologists.

However, a number of Psychologists and experts have criticised the introduction of this new role, saying that these associate Psychologists may be expected to take on the responsibilities of clinical Psychologists despite being underqualified.

For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Dr Kumari Valentine, a clinical psychologist based in Dunedin, who’s launched a petition calling on the government to roll back the introduction of the new Associate psychology role and look to other methods of filling gaps in the Psychology profession.

If you're interested in signing this petition, you can find it here:

Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025

Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025 Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025, 18.03 MB
Tue 1 Apr 2025

Last week the Green Party’s Tamatha Paul made comments about police presence in Wellington, particularly how increased police activity made some feel unsafe. She also noted some discriminatory and harmful behaviour from police officers towards Wellington’s homeless population. These comments, presented at a panel hosted by the University of Canterbury’s Greens and Peace Action Ōtautahi, were Paul restating feedback she had received from her constituents in Wellington central. 

The response to Tamatha Paul’s comments was extremely critical from all sides of the political spectrum, involving feedback such as “insane” from prime minister Christopher Luxon, “unwise” and “stupid” from Labour leader Chris Hipkins, and “just weird” from ACT leader David Seymour. The comments and their responses lead to a series of articles across all major New Zealand news networks. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about the substance of Tamatha Paul’s comments and whether the seemingly disproportionate reaction is appropriate.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 1st April, 2025

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 1st April, 2025 Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 1st April, 2025, 32.04 MB
Tue 1 Apr 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Dr. Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about various April Fools pranks in the world of science, including the 'Sheep Albedo Hypothesis' from here in Aotearoa. 

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

Supermarket duopoly developments, Green MP, Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police, and Te Pāti Māori’s calls for mandatory police body cameras w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 31 March, 2025

Supermarket duopoly developments, Green MP, Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police, and Te Pāti Māori’s calls for mandatory police body cameras w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 31 March, 2025 Supermarket duopoly developments, Green MP, Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police, and Te Pāti Māori’s calls for mandatory police body cameras w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 31 March, 2025, 6.86 MB
Mon 31 Mar 2025

On Sunday, Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, announced plans to combat the supermarket duopoly between Foodstuffs and Woolworths. This could include breaking-up or restructuring the current chains, with Cabinet also announcing a formal request for information, or RFI, into the matter.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel,  spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about this announcement, and whether she, and the party, thinks this will be enough to address food accessibility in Aotearoa.

We also discussed the comments made by Green MP, Tamatha Paul, about the police, and whether she believes these comments have become sensationalised.

Finally, we discussed the party’s calls for mandatory police body cameras.

But first, they started off by asking Kemp about how the party are feeling about Nicola Willis’ most recent announcements into the supermarket duopoly.

RMA Reforms and Concerns about Health and Police System w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 31 March, 2025

RMA Reforms and Concerns about Health and Police System w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 31 March, 2025 RMA Reforms and Concerns about Health and Police System w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 31 March, 2025, 7.25 MB
Mon 31 Mar 2025

Last week, the government announced its plans for reforming the Resource Management Act, or the RMA, introducing two acts to replace the current RMA. The plan is to bring the two acts before the select committee next year, passing them just before the next election. 

For our weekly catch up News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about this reform, working with the opposition, and the lack of a Treaty clause.

We also talked about concerns that the health and police system in Aotearoa are failing, following an 11-year old being misidentified as a 20-year old by police and being administered antipsychotic drugs.

But first, we touched on the RMA reform.

NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025

NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025 NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025, 8.99 MB
Thu 27 Mar 2025

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters gave a “State of the Nation” speech last weekend where he strongly criticised Labour and announced his party was declaring a “war on woke.”

The government has announced a new replacement for the Resource Management Act, looking to pass it before the next election.

And Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker has criticised the government for not condemning Israel in the context of recent military action and the blocking of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics. 

International Desk: The Atlantic editor-in-chief was accidentally texted war plans by top US security officials w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 27 March, 2025

International Desk: The Atlantic editor-in-chief was accidentally texted war plans by top US security officials w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 27 March, 2025 International Desk: The Atlantic editor-in-chief was accidentally texted war plans by top US security officials w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 27 March, 2025, 11.23 MB
Thu 27 Mar 2025

Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal group chat with top United States security officials who were discussing military plans for strikes on Yemen.

The group chat discussed operational details, and officials, including the Vice President JD Vance, seemed unaware of Goldberg’s presence. 

Jeffrey Goldberg initially left out some of these sensitive details in his article on the group chat but has released more specific information after the Trump administration downplayed the situation and said no classified information was shared.

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about this issue.