Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Castor Chacko, Sara Mckoy, Emmanuel Orange, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman speaks with us about the Mars orbiter, ethanol in fruit and how to avoid mozzie bites.
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Host Sara spoke to MP Carl Bates about the latest GDP figures and the RNZ Reid Research poll
For Green Desk, Sara spoke with University of Wellington Law Professor Joanna Mossop about the High Seas treaty and international ocean protection
Producer Jasmine spoke with Professor Cindy Farquhar about new research exploring how whānau navigate wellbeing and conversations of whakapapa with donor-conceived children in Aotearoa
The latest GDP figures released on Thursday reveal a drop in GDP in the second quarter, down 0.9%.
Amidst calls for Economic Minister Nicola Willis to resign, stating she is sending New Zealand’s economy in the wrong direction – Willis and Christopher Luxon have reasserted that she is the ‘best person for the job’, and point to international turmoil and the previous government as at fault for economic struggles.
Recent data revealed in the RNZ -Reid Research political poll has indicated higher public support for Labour than National, lower preference for Luxon as Prime Minister over Hipkins, New Zealanders increasingly believing the country is heading in the wrong direction and more people blaming the current government for our financial situation than the previous one.
Wire Host Sara spoke with National MP Carl Bates about his thoughts on this data, starting with the GDP
Over the weekend, the United Nations High Seas treaty — also called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, received its 60th and final required ratification to allow it to take effect, from January 2026.
The treaty introduces historically significant measures for the protection of the ocean and marine biodiversity, especially in parts of the ocean that do not fall under the jurisdiction of a single nation.
After decades of negotiation, sixty countries have now ratified the agreement, with a further 145 countries, including New Zealand, being signatories.
Some of the key aspects of the agreement will be the establishment of Marine Protected Areas, the introduction of legal obligations for countries to maintain high environmental standards around ocean activities, and the advancement of critical climate goals including the ban of bottom trawling and deep sea mining.
Tuesday Wire Host Sara spoke with Victoria University law professor Joanna Mossop more about the significance of this treaty, and how effective its legal obligations on an international stage will be — starting with her research interest in international marine law
A 2025 survey regarding experiences of disclosure to donor-conceived children about their origins reported that the majority of parents do choose to have a conversation with their tamariki about their whakapapa.
Further research into donor whānau dynamics is being conducted by collaborative research group Donor Identity in Aotearoa New Zealand (DIANZ), with an intention to identify where support is needed for all parties of donor-conception in Aotearoa.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to researcher and Professor Cindy Farquhar from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at UoA, about the important role whakapapa plays in identity for donor-conceived tamariki, and the path to best support the wellbeing of these diverse whānau units.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has headed to New York for a conference on a Two State solution in the middle east, where debate over Palestinian recognition and statehood will take place during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
As countries like Australia and Canada pledge support for Palestinian Statehood, alongside other countries that have either expressed intent or already done so, Peters has remained closed off as to whether or not New Zealand will join these ranks.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to the Professor of International Relations at the University of Otago, Robert Patman, about what these expressions of support for Palestinian Statehood mean in the long run, and what we can and should expect from Peters and the Government in this regard.
Last Week, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices met to review childhood vaccination recommendations in the US. The committee, whose members were appointed by anti-vaccination US Secretary of Health Robert F Kennedy Jr, have voted on a variety of recommendations for child vaccinations and restrictions of vaccinations from COVID-19 to Measles and Mumps immunisations.
This move has been met with concern, both over the implications for the health and wellbeing of children and the public, and what it means for one of the most prominent countries and advisory bodies to make such a move. In particular, the move itself was rife with confusion, with the advisory committee being ill-equipped to review the recommendations.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Helen Petousis-Harris, about the confused and muddled recommendations, what they mean for public health, and what this says about the state of vaccine regulation.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the new school subjects set to be implemented into the new, proposed curriculum, and the drastic changes to art history and outdoor education.
Producer Alex spoke with the University of Otago's Robert Patman about international support for Palestinian Statehood, and whether or not Foreign Minister Winston Peters will follow his Australian and Canadian counterparts.
Joel spoke to the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad about the temporary pause of international adoptions, and what this means for children overseas.
And Alex spoke with the University of Aucklands Helen petousis-Harris about the CDC reviewing vaccine recommendations and regulations under an anti-vax committee.
The Government has passed with urgency a temporary halt on some international adoptions under the Adoption Amendment Bill.
The urgency of this bill is aimed at combating the exploitation of young children who have been adopted from overseas.
News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Children's Commissioner, Dr Claire Achmad, about this temporary pause, and what this will mean for some children overseas awaiting adoption.
The Government has announced some new secondary school subjects and changes to current ones, which will be a part of the proposed new curriculum.
Some of the subjects include: earth and space sciences, civics, politics, and philosophy, media, journalism and communications, and te mātai i te ao Māori
However, art history as a subject is set to be axed, instead being integrated into other visual art subjects such as design, painting, and photography. In addition to this, outdoor education as a subject is set to become fully vocational.
Those in these sectors have criticised these moves, with Auckland Art Gallery’s head of curatorial and exhibitions Sarah Farrar, saying the move will close doors for young people, with Claire Amos, principal at Albany Senior High School, saying that making outdoor education vocational will result in a loss of funding for the subject.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host spoke to him about these topics.
arlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum that made international headlines.
The speech was focused on the future of global politics in the face of a world increasingly shaped by threats and hard power, and the need for “middle power” states to cooperate.
For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Stewart Prest, Lecturer in Political Science at the University of British Columbia, about Mark Carney’s speech.
Last week, following weather warnings and torrential rain, slips across the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty wreaked havoc, cutting off communities, damaging houses, and worst of all, taking lives.
At the base of Mauoa, Mount Maunganui, a slip hit a council-owned campsite, claiming six lives and now eyes are turning towards how a tragedy like this could be prevented in future.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was among the world leaders offered membership on Trump's post conflict government body, the board of peace. The board has received scathing criticism for including people under investigation for war crimes and failing to have a representative voice for the Palestinian people. Luxon has, in turn, received criticism for not ruling out the invitation.
Finally, the New Zealand Defence Force has begun to incorporate uncrewed vehicles and drones as it moves into a new era of increased defence spending
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wire host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about Luxons refusal to rule out joining Trump’s board of peace, and the New Zealand Defence Forces incorporation of drones but began with asking him about the fatal slip in Tauranga,
As New Zealanders across the motu witness the fallout of extreme weather including landslips and flooding, climate experts reiterate the importance of connecting these events to a wider trend of increased frequency and intensity climate events.
In particular, experts including Dr Kevin Trenberth and Sustainability lecturer Sasha Maher say that New Zealand’s existing infrastructure needs to be upgraded to account for how future natural disasters and climate events will impact Aotearoa.
For Green World this week, Wire host Sara spoke to both of these experts about the challenges New Zealand will face on this issue.
First, Sara spoke to University of Auckland affiliated climate scientist Dr Kevin Trenberth about the drivers of extreme weather conditions, starting by asking how they reflect a larger pattern of temperature change.
Next, Sara spoke to University of Auckland lecturer Sasha Maher about the political response to these observable climate impacts.
Last week's landslide at Mount Maunganui has had severe consequences on people and the environment. Producer Vihan spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about the landslide and the government's response to it, as well as it's response to climate change, in general.
Tāmaki was hit with severe heavy rain warnings in recent days, with extreme weather and states of emergency declared around the motu. These heightened caution around risks of flooding in areas affected by 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods.
Last week, there were changes to national laws that now allow ‘granny flats’ to be built on properties without the need to obtain resource consent.
And stripping of marine life from rock pools around Whangaparāoa has raised discussion of shellfish protections, but not without increasing racial tensions in community discourse.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about how these topics impact Tāmaki Makaurau.
As a part of their energy policy, the current national-led government has reopened the door to offshore oil and gas exploration and mining after it was banned under the previous government. Last week, we saw reports of the first bid under the scheme, a sign of further oil and gas projects.
Alongside this the government has put through legislation increasing the maximum amount energy companies can be fined by three times, they say, to increase accountability.
Finally, rumours swirl that the central government is about to step in to override the rezoning plan crafted by the Auckland Council once again, as the groups protest the plan enabling higher-rise buildings around transport hubs.
For this week's Weekly Catch-up with the Green Party, Wire Producer Manny spoke to MP Recardo Menendez March about the expansion of fines on energy companies and the central government's intervention in Auckland Council's zoning plans. But first we discussed the first bid in offshore oil and gas.
The survey provides world-first substantial evidence of how unaffordable clean fuel supply can generate severe risks for health and climate in these communities.
Co-author Professor Hari Vuthaluru from Curtin's Western Australian School of Mines said toxic emissions, health issues and food contamination were among the consequences of this practice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Vuthaluru further about the study in light of the environmental consequences.
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