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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.

The Wire w/ Stella: July 13

The Wire w/ Stella: July 13 The Wire w/ Stella: July 13, 125.59 MB
Wed 13 Jul 2022

Welcome back to another Wednesday Wire, with Stella.

Aneeka talks to Cameron Adams on Eurovision.

This week, Alex speaks to Harry Tam about the social determinants of gangs.

Alex has his weekly catch-up with the ACT party, today speaking with David Seymour.

Stella talks to Dr Niki Harré, an environmental psychologist from the University of Auckland, about changing attitudes to living on land greatly affected by climate change.

Finally, Stella speaks to Geoffrey Miller, a geopolitical analyst from The Democracy Project, about the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting 2022.

National's Dr Shane Reti: July 12, 2022

National's Dr. Shane Reti: July 12, 2022 Shane Reti: July 12, 2022, 13.36 MB
Tue 12 Jul 2022

This week, Aneeka and Shane discussed the Pacific Island Forum and Covid-19.

Kiribati's Exit from the Pacific Forum w/ Robert Patman: July 12, 2022

Kiribati's Exit from the Pacific Forum w/ Robert Patman: July 12, 2022 Kiribati's Exit from the Pacific Forum w/ Robert Patman: July 12, 2022 , 13.4 MB
Tue 12 Jul 2022

On the eve of the pacific forum conference in Suva, the Micronesian island nation of Kiribati announced that it will be pulling out of the inter-governmental organisation. 

This led to the current members entering into a crisis mode to get them to re-join the pact. 

Jack Horsnell spoke to Professor Robert Patman from the University of Otago about the effects of this decision.

The Aftermath of Shinzo Abe's Assassination w/ Paul Clark: July 12, 2022

The Aftermath of Shinzo Abe's Assassination w/ Paul Clark: July 12, 2022 The Aftermath of Shinzo Abe's Assassination w/ Paul Clark: July 12, 2022, 23.64 MB
Tue 12 Jul 2022

Over the weekend the world was shocked by the assassination of former Japanese President Shinzo Abe.  

Abe was a significant part of Japan's government, even after he resigned as president, and was a major player in politics in the Asian region.  

Jack Horsnell spoke to Professor Paul Clark, from the Asian Studies department at the University of Auckland about the aftermath of this tragedy.

 

Monkeypox in Aotearoa w/ Kurt Krause: July 11, 2022

Monkeypox in Aotearoa w/ Kurt Krause: July 11, 2022 Monkeypox in Aotearoa w/ Kurt Krause: July 11, 2022, 18.1 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand has just become one of more than 50 countries to record cases of monkeypox in an outbreak that took off two months ago. 

The person, who is in isolation, is in their thirties, lives in Auckland and recently returned from overseas travel in a country with reported monkeypox cases. The Ministry of Health sys there is no evidence of community transmission, with a small number of people being contacts.

Joe spoke to Kurt Krause, a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, on the matter.

 

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Professor David Menkes: July 11, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Professor David Menkes: July 11, 2022 Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Professor David Menkes: July 11, 2022, 26.37 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

It always perplexed me to see such advertising growing up. Like I understand, on one hand, informing the public on options to access remedies for their pain is important, but is it being communicated in the best way, especially considering that other nations don’t follow this approach. 

This interview with University of Auckland Pathophysiology Professor David Menkes is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Belinda Castles: July 10, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/Belinda Castles Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/Belinda Castles, 10.56 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

The question of banning pharmaceutical advertising in New Zealand isn’t new. In 2019, there were renewed calls for the Therapeutic Medicines Bill to be toughened with these measures being driven by.. 

At the time, a Consumer New Zealand survey indicated that 57% of kiwis favour an independent health info service that provides advice on treatment options over medicine advertising.

Those stats also reveal that 8% of those surveyed believed that said ads provided unbiased and comprehensive information about treatments.

And 15% of surveyors also said a ban is unnecessary.

This interview with Consumer NZ Research and Test Writer Belinda Castles is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Andrew Little: July 11, 2022

Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Andrew Little: July 11, 2022 Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Ads w/ Andrew Little: July 11, 2022, 11.61 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

New Zealand and the United States are the only two countries in the world that allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers.

Government reviews of the Therapeutic Products Bill have previously taken place in 1998, 2000, 2006, and 2019. All of these reviews have kept the status quo. In 2006, Dr Annette King, the Health Minister, called for a ban, but struggled to muster the support at the time.

This interview with Health Minister Andrew Little is part of a larger story on Direct To Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

The Wire w/ Joe: July 11, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: July 11, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: July 11, 2022, 106.49 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

On The Wire for Rāhina Monday!

Joe speaks to Kurt Krause, a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Otago, about NZ’s first case of Monkeypox. He also speaks to Max Rashbrooke, a Research Associate for the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, about political donation regulation and the motivation behind it.

Trishil speaks to Professor David Menkes, Consumer NZ Research and Test Writer Belinda Castles, Health Minister Andrew Little, Royal NZ College of GPs Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty, and National Health Spokesperson Dr Shane Reti about Pharmaceutical Advertising in New Zealand, and whether the practise should be banned.

And for this weeks Tomorrow’s World, Isla and Stella spoke to Dr Emma Sharp from the University of Auckland about her projects with Soilsafe Aotearoa.

That's us for the Monday Wire!

Soilsafe Aotearoa w/ Emma Sharp: July 11, 2022

Soilsafe Aotearoa w/ Emma Sharp: July 11, 2022 Soilsafe Aotearoa w/ Emma Sharp: July 11, 2022 , 19.09 MB
Mon 11 Jul 2022

What's hiding in your soil? This week Stella and Isla work through a written interview with Dr Emma Sharp about the work of Soilsafe Aoteroa. Chatting metal contaminants and citizen science.

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

Tamatha Paul’s comments on the police and the government’s announcement on the supermarket duopoly w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 April, 2025

Tamatha Paul’s comments on the police and the government’s announcement on the supermarket duopoly w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 April, 2025 Tamatha Paul’s comments on the police and the government’s announcement on the supermarket duopoly w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 April, 2025, 8.39 MB
Thu 3 Apr 2025

Last week, Green Party MP Tamatha Paul made comments about the police and the expansion of beat patrols in Wellington, saying they make a lot of people feel “less safe.”

The comments have been criticised by MPs across National, Act, New Zealand First, as well as Labour. 

And Finance Minister Nicola Willis is seeking specialist external advice on what ways the supermarket duopoly could be restructured.

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

International Desk: The impact of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court w/ Dr Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria: 3 April, 2025

International Desk: The impact of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court w/ Dr Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria: 3 April, 2025 International Desk: The impact of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court w/ Dr Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria: 3 April, 2025, 14.4 MB
Thu 3 Apr 2025

Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested by the International Criminal Court and will be tried in the Hague for crimes against humanity.

This comes as the ICC faces criticism for other, more controversial current arrest warrants, including those against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria from Curtin University in Perth about Duterte’s arrest and broader issues facing the ICC.

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:

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.