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 Tuesday Wire kicks off with regular segment Dear Science. Today, host Christina spoke to AUT Professor Allan Blackman about helium shortages due to war in Ukraine, the surpsiingly valuable materials making up mercury’s crust, and why you might be to blame if you find everyone else boring.
She then spoke to Brooke Pao-Stanley from Fairer Futures, which has released new data that indicates recent benefit increases aren't enough, and people will remain locked in poverty.
With Ukraine-Russia news dominating the headlines, it's possible you've missed the latest news from the United States. Christina caught up with Dr Maria Armoudian, a senior politics lecturer from the University of Auckland, about recent happenings in US politics.
And finally, producer Trishil reported on the prevalence of Long Covid, as well as the research efforts going into understanding the condition, and the various clinical trials and treatment options for the condition.
This week on Dear Science, Christina caught up with AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They talked about how the war in Ukraine has caused a helium shortage, the materials that make up the crust of Mercury, and why we find certain people boring.
Trishil Dahya reports on the prevalence of Long Covid, as well as the research efforts going into understanding the condition, and the various clinical trials and treatment options for the condition.
In an effort to address the rising cost of living, the government has announced it will increase benefits to families on April 1. However, The Fairer Futures coalition has released new data that indicates these increases aren't enough, and people will remain locked in poverty. On the Wire, Christina spoke to Brooke Pao-Stanley from Fairer Futures about income inequality and what needs to be done.
Inflation rates and living costs continue to rise, and taxes take a large amount of low earner incomes away from the workers. Nicola Willis, Deputy Leader of the National Party, discussed with Charlie National's proposal for restructuring tax brackets and who this would impact the most.
On today's Monday Wire Charlie speaks to Jason Young, Director of Victoria University's New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, regarding the proposed security deal between China and the Solomon Islands.
Sam discusses how Tikanga Māori should be incorperated into regenarative tourism, he speaks with Professor Katharina Ruckstuhl from the University of Otago.
Nicola Willis, Deputy Leader of the National Party, speaks with Charlie about the potential for restructuring tax brackets and how this would help the 'squeezed middle'.
The need for a living wage introduciton admist COVID-19 economic setbacks, Green Party's MP Ricardo Menéndez March speaks on the issue with Charlie.
The proposal of a new security deal between China and the Solomon Islands has caused concern amongst politicians, and Pacific Nations. Jason Young, Director of Victoria University's New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, discusses with Charlie what the deal means for the Pacific, and why the deal is in China's interest.
The fourth annual University of Otago Tourism Policy School was on Friday, featuring lectures from academics and members of the tourism sector. Sam Clark spoke to Professor Katharina Ruckstuhl from the University of Otago about how Māori values can be incorporated into tourism in Aotearoa.
Minimum wage is due to increase, but families are still struggling to afford the basic costs of living. COVID-19 has also made this struggle more difficult, with isolation rules causing families to stretch their incomes to new products and necessities. Charlie spoke with Green MP, Ricardo Menéndez March, about the potential of implementing a living wage for all New Zealand adult workers.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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