Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Sara Mckoy, Max Micheel, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
The Hidden Gem, commissioned by Canadian miner The Metals Company, has just returned from eight weeks of test mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone between México and Hawaii. One of the biggest vessels of its type in the world, the ship planned to mine 3,600 tonnes of polymetallic nodules from the seafloor in a trial that could pave the way for full scale commercial mining.
Greenpeace México activists met The Hidden Gem in kayaks holding ‘Stop Deep Sea Mining’ banners while Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner James Hita delivered a message to the captain of the Hidden Gem via radio
Greenpeace Aotearoa has renewed calls for the government to advocate for a strong, legally-binding global plastics treaty as world governments meet at the first Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee meeting (INC1) in Uruguay this month. A petition for a plastics treaty that centres justice launched earlier this year by Greenpeace Aotearoa ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly 5.2 and has already gathered over 29,000 signatures.
Joe spoke to Greenpeace’s plastics campaigner Juressa Lee on the matter.
Tertiary Education Union members at Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland will begin a ban on entering and releasing student marks from 7 pm tonight until 7 pm on Friday November 18th.
Organiser Adam Craigie says the strike is a result of continuing frustration and anger from members over what they sey is an inadequate pay offer.
Currently, the University's best offer is contingent on removing important conditions such as retirement leave and does not match rising inflation.
Joe spoke to members of the Union during their rally about what their message to the University and students is.
Russia's war on Ukraine has continued to intensify in recent weeks, as the Kremlin has recently launched the most missiles within a single week of the war so far.
One of these strikes coincided with two stray missiles reaching part of Poland near the border of Ukraine, which led to the deaths of two people.
It’s unconfirmed where these strikes came from, as European Correspondent Cameron Adams reports as a part of this weeks Eurovision segment.
Him and Liam also chatted about the European Commission calling for the incorporation of three new member states into 3 more member states to the Schengen area, and a new deal between France and England to control asylum seekers travelling across the English channel.
Protests in Iran began two months ago after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini who was detained by so-called morality police for allegedly breaking strict hijab rules.
This week a court in Iran has issued the first death sentence to a person arrested for taking part in the protests against the country's government which began two months ago.
Human rights groups have warned Iranian authorities may be planning mass executions.
A University of Auckland PHD student who is from Iran is calling on Aotearoa, and its Universities to do more to condemn the human rights abuses in Iran.
We started off our interview addressing allegations regarding a University of Auckland staff member, sharing their support of the Iranian regime online.
Protests have continued in Iran calling for the overturning the current government, even in the face of mass arrest.
Public trials of arrested protestors have recently begun, recently seeing the first death sentence ordered and others sentenced to ten to fifteen years of jail time.
The protests stemmed from the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old woman who died in police custody - her passing sparked nationwide dissent calling for women's liberation.
To learn more, Liam spoke to Iranian New Zealander and economist Hanna Habibi about what’s been happening on the ground, what’s changed, and what the outcomes of the protests could be.
Liam makes an incredibly dramatic move for the summer and moves to The Thursday Wire! What a madman!
E whai ake nei, on the show today:
Liam speaks to Hanna Habibi about the mass arrest of protestors in Iran.
Tuva’a has his weekly catch-up with Labour’s Andrew Little.
Liam spoke to Andree Froude from the Problem Gambling Foundation about pokie machine regulations in Timaru.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins speaks to Philip Aldridge, the Chief Executive of Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure, about making businesses and worksites safer for women in the trade industry.
Liam also spoke to Fiona Petchy from the University of Waikato about Māori settlement dates.
And lastly they had a chat with Cameron Adams for Eurovision about the current state of the Ukraine war.
Recent statistics show that 30% of people, mostly women, working in construction in the last five years have experienced at lest one form of sexual harassment.
The Waihanga Ara Rau and Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Councils, supported by the Tertiary Education Commission, have developed practical steps for trade employers to take to ensure women are safe in the workplace from sexual harassment and bullying
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins speaks to Philip Aldridge, the Chief Executive of Waihanga Ara Rau, the Workforce Development Council for Construction and Infrastructure about their Keep it Decent guidelines.
Issues of Problem Gambling have been plaguing Timaru, however the areas district council have largely allowed their laws to remain the same.
Minor changes have taken place, particularly in letting new venues for gambling operate at a limit of seven pokie machines, but the Problem Gambling Foundation say this is far from enough.
The region's district councillor claims that the funds from gambling is important due to the amount it funds local community groups.
To learn more, Liam spoke to Andree Froude from the Problem Gambling Foundation about the issues.
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
With the rise of fast fashion outlets like Shein and Temu alongside the wider mainstream options available that contribute substantial amounts of clothing waste to landfill, experts are calling for an urgent response on a governance, business, and individual level.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Mindful Fashion Chief Executive Jacinta Fitzgerald about the problem, and the industry response to sustainability, as well as University of Auckland Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the importance of ethical consumption.for individuals.
First, is the interview with Fitzgerald, where she begins by talking about the organisation Mindful Fashion.
Following this, Sara spoke to Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the research he has undertaken around consumerism.
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