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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.

Syrian Widow Camps w/ World Vision's Grant Bayldon: April 14, 2022

Syrian Widow Camps w/ World Vision's Grant Bayldon: April 14, 2022 Syrian Widow Camps w/ World Vision's Grant Bayldon: April 14, 2022, 20.03 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

Widowed Syrian women who are fleeing war zones with their children are ending up in “widow camps”, where they face chronic violence, and their children are exploited and abused.

Since the start of the civil war in 2011, nearly 7 million Syrians have been displaced internally, and about 2.8 million are living in an estimated 1,300 camps for internally displaced people in the north-west of the country.

World Vision has released a study titled “Women and Children of Syria's Widow Camps: Hardest to Reach, Most at Risk” which illustrates the physical and psychological violence that these vulnerable people are facing, and the barriers to providing humanitarian aid. 

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Grant Bayldon, National Director of World Vision New Zealand about the issue.

New Zealand's Rise in Food Prices w/ Dr. Lisa Te Morenga: April 14, 2022

New Zealand's Rise in Food Prices w/ Dr. Lisa Te Morenga: April 14, 2022 Lisa Te Morenga: April 14, 2022, 25.08 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

Yesterday, Statistics NZ released data which showed healthy fruit and vegetables increased in price by 18 per cent in March 2022, the highest increase in a decade. Joe spoke to Dr. Lisa Te Morenga, Associate Professor in Nutrition and Maori Health at Massey University, as well as the Acting Chair for Health Coalition Aotearoa, on the matter.

Physical Activity during the Pandemic w/ Hamish McEwen: April 14, 2022

Physical Activity during the Pandemic w/ Hamish McEwen: April 14, 2022 Physical Activity during the Pandemic w/ Hamish McEwen: April 14, 2022, 21.52 MB
Thu 14 Apr 2022

Last week, a study released by Sport NZ post the 2020 lockdown, showed participation in weekly physical activity was down almost six percent prior to the pandemic.

Joe spoke to Hamish McEwen, the intelligence manager from Sport NZ, about the study they conducted on this decrease in exercise and possible initiatives that could be implemented in order to encourage kiwis to keep active.

The Wire with Alex: April 13, 2022

The Wire with Alex: April 13, 2022 The Wire with Alex: April 13, 2022, 106.39 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

Today, Alex's pieces today have a focus on the Fair Pay Agreement Bill: This kicks off with interviews with Unite Union’s John Crocker and Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive Julie White about the Fair Pay Agreement Bill and what this might mean for hospitality. 

This is followed by Alex speaking with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about the Bill and what this might mean for young people and for the cost of living crisis .

Stella talk to Geoffrey Miller, an international analyst with the democracy project, about the recently announced aid package from New Zealand to help Ukraine 

Frances then speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, the UN's call for an independent investigation into rape there, and politicians visiting Zelensky. We also speak about the EU withdrawing their training mission in Mali, elections in France and solar faming in Greece.

Finally, Stella interviews Dr Amy Lovell from the University of Auckland about a recent study surveying the amount of advertising for unhealthy food and drink around Auckland’s primary schools.

New Zealand's Aid Package to Ukraine w/ Geoffrey Miller: April 14, 2022

New Zealand's Aid Package to Ukraine w/ Geoffrey Miller: April 14, 2022 New Zealand's Aid Package to Ukraine w/ Geoffrey Miller: April 14, 2022, 19.06 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

New Zealand has just announced another package of $13million NZD for Ukraine, bringing our total of aid spending to $30million NZD. It’s also the first time we provide what’s called lethal aid. Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Geoffrey Miller, an expert on Ukraine and an international analyst with the Democracy Project, about the package.

 

EuroVision w/ Cameron Mulgan: April 13, 2022

EuroVision w/ Cameron Mulgan: April 13, 2022 EuroVision w/ Cameron Mulgan: April 13, 2022, 20.94 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

Frances spoke with European correspondent Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, the UN's call for an independent investigation into rape there, and politicians visiting Zelensky. They also speak about the EU withdrawing their training mission in Mali, elections in France and solar faming in Greece.

 

Advertising for Food Around Auckland Primary Schools w/ Dr Amy Lovell: April 13, 2022

Advertising for Food Around Auckland Primary Schools w/ Dr Amy Lovell: April 13, 2022 Advertising for Food Around Auckland Primary Schools w/ Dr Amy Lovell: April 13, 2022, 18.35 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

A study published in the New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences investigating outdoor food and beverage advertising on convenience stores within 500 metres of all primary schools in Auckland found that Convenience stores in areas surrounding low decile schools had twice as many advertisements than areas around medium or high decile schools (DOI: 10.1080/1177083X.2022.2058407). Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Dr Amy Lovell from the University of Auckland about the study.

The Fair Pay Agreement Bill w/ Unite Union's John Crocker & Hospitality NZ's Julie White: April 13, 2022

The Fair Pay Agreement Bill w/ Unite Union's John Crocker & Hospitality NZ's Julie White: April 13, 2022 The Fair Pay Agreement Bill w/ Unite Union's John Crocker & Hospitality NZ's Julie White: April 13, 2022, 39.8 MB
Wed 13 Apr 2022

The Fair Pay Agreements Bill is the biggest change to NZ’s labour laws for a generation, proposing sector by sector wage and employment conditions that will be negotiated between unions and employer representatives. 

Earlier today Alex spoke with Unite Union’s John Crocker and Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Julie White about what the Bill might mean for those in hospitality.

 

Calls for Regulatory Overhaul of Genetically Modified Organisms w/Ganesh Nana

Calls for Regulatory Overhaul of Genetically Modified Organisms w/Ganesh Nana Calls for Regulatory Overhaul of Genetically Modified Organisms w/Ganesh Nana, 11.23 MB
Tue 12 Apr 2022

Genetically Modified Technologies have struggled to receive research or approval for innovative technologies in New Zealand.

Trishil spoke to Ganesh Nana from the New Zealand Productivity Commission to discuss why the current regulations should be reviewed and overhauled, and the flow on effects of these calls.

Sri Lanka's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis: April 12, 2022

Sri Lanka's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis: April 12, 2022 Sri Lanka's Economic and Humanitarian Crisis: April 12, 2022, 10.49 MB
Tue 12 Apr 2022

Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic situation since it gained independence from Britain in 1940. The crisis comes as the culmination of several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, financial mismanagement and government corruption.

Now, Sri Lankans are hitting the streets to protest against the government due to widespread shortages of food, water and medicine.

Host Christina Huang spoke to economist Anushka Wijesinha and constitutional lawyer Bhavani Fonseka about the economic and political situation.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 17th December, 2024

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 17th December, 2024 Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 17th December, 2024, 18.51 MB
Tue 17 Dec 2024

For Dear Science this week our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted to us about mealworms eating plastic, spray on tattoos measuring brain activity, and neanderthal-human interbreeding

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

The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and Yale’s student body voting for divestment w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 December, 2024

The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and Yale’s student body voting for divestment w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 December, 2024 The assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and Yale’s student body voting for divestment w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 12 December, 2024, 20.04 MB
Thu 12 Dec 2024

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 new ferry announcement and nearly a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 12 December, 2024

The new ferry announcement and nearly a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 12 December, 2024 The new ferry announcement and nearly a quarter of beneficiaries being paid incorrectly w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 12 December, 2024, 17.71 MB
Thu 12 Dec 2024

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.

Time-of-use charges and Auckland Council selling its Auckland Airport shares w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 12th December, 2024

Time-of-use charges and Auckland Council selling its Auckland Airport shares w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 12th December, 2024 Time-of-use charges and Auckland Council selling its Auckland Airport shares w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 12th December, 2024, 12 MB
Thu 12 Dec 2024

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. 

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: December 11th, 2024

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: December 11th, 2024 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: December 11th, 2024, 21.47 MB
Wed 11 Dec 2024

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.

Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024

Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024 Police staffing numbers and new insulation guidelines w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 10th December, 2024, 9.62 MB
Tue 10 Dec 2024

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.

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 10th December, 2024

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 10th December, 2024 Cushla McGoverin: 10th December, 2024, 15.55 MB
Tue 10 Dec 2024

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!

Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024

Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024 Bootcamp Reoffences, Proposed Changes to Employment Law and David Seymour's Incumbent Term as Deputy PM w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 9 December, 2024 , 16.62 MB
Mon 9 Dec 2024

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.

Changes to Auckland Transport's responsibilities, bus and train fare hikes nationwide, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 5th December, 2024

Changes to Auckland Transport's responsibilities, bus and train fare hikes nationwide, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 5th December, 2024 Changes to Auckland Transport's responsibilities, bus and train fare hikes nationwide, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 5th December, 2024, 20.99 MB
Thu 5 Dec 2024

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. 

President Biden pardoning his son and President-elect Trump’s nominee for FBI Director w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 5 December, 2024

President Biden pardoning his son and President-elect Trump’s nominee for FBI Director w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 5 December, 2024 President Biden pardoning his son and President-elect Trump’s nominee for FBI Director w/ Yale Daily News Andre Fa’aoso: 5 December, 2024 , 18.32 MB
Thu 5 Dec 2024

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