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.
On Friday morning, the United Nations announced the beginning of a project to see the minimization of plastic pollution throughout the planet.
The next few months will see negotiations made about how we can regulate plastic pollution and what the next steps are to combat the Climate Crisis.
GreenPeace has been campaigning for changes to be made for years, and many within the organisation calling this a historical moment. Liam spoke to Plastic Spokesperson for GreenPeace Aotearoa, Juressa Lee about the treaty.
A report was released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton which revealed startling gaps in how New Zealand monitors and records hazardous chemicals in the environment.The report found that New Zealand’s regulations can often overlook environmental effects and recommends that a common framework be developed to assess and track chemicals and their environmental impacts. Casper spoke with Nick Kim, a Senior Lecturer in applied environmental chemistry at Massey University about the significance of the findings of the report, and its recommendations.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People’s Commission Bill states that it aims to provide independent monitoring and complaints oversight for Oranga Tamariki, and greater advocacy for children's and young people's issues generally through the creation of a new Children and Young People's Commission.
Jessica Hopkins had a kōrero with Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Chief Executive Karen Orsborn and VOYCE Whakarongo Mai National Care Experience Lead Tupua Urlich about their concerns with the bill.
On their website, VOYCE says that the bill ignores reports on what independent and effective monitoring of the Oranga Tamariki system should look like.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is continuing to devastate civilian areas in an attempt to demoralise Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainians in Aotearoa are calling for the New Zealand Government to do everything it can to sanction Russia and offer military aid, humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
I spoke to Ukrainian student Veronika Orekhivska, who is studying in Auckland. In our interview, she gives a personal account of growing up in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, and shares what the war has been like for her friends and family who are there.
We also discuss Russia's history of agression towards Ukraine, the leadership of Ukrainian President Zelenksyy, and how disinformation has influenced people.
Today, the New Zealand Blood Service released a statement detailing how they are preparing for the impact of Omicron. With cases surging at the moment, donor centres and mobile drives are dealing with limited donors due to people not coming in to donate. Joe speaks to Asuka Burge from the New Zealand Blood Service on how they plan on addressing this.
Today the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released a report looking at how we monitor chemicals in the environment and interpret their impact on living things. The report looked at neonicotinoid insecticides, antibiotics, and the trace metal zinc as case studies, as well as how our own regulations may not address the issue. Joe speaks to Dr Jennifer Gadd, an aquatic chemist from NIWA on the matter.
Producer Alex Wierzbicki interviews Emeritus Professor Jane Kelsey about the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Professor Kelsey is a well-known commentator on globalisation and neoliberalism and has previously criticised the NZ Government for it's approach to FTAs.
This week Frances introduces our new (yet to be named) European segment where she will be catching up weekly with ex bFM vollie Cameron Mulgan. He is living in Berlin and joining us as a Europe correspondent. This week Cameron and Frances spoke about the developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the free trade deal recently signed between the UK and New Zealand.
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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