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.
Earlier this week, details of the DHB’s offer to allied health workers and a summary of previously embargoed Employment Relations Authority recommendations were sent to 10,000 workers. The offer represents a pay increase of 17 percent for our lowest paid members, with the ability to regularly progress up pay steps, and 5 percent for our highest paid. This offer is essentially an increase of almost five times the DHBs’ original offer.
Joe spoke to Will Matthews, an organiser for the Public Service Association, on the matter.
The World Health Organisation’s newly released report on regulating cross-border alcohol marketing has raised the alarm for countries like Australia and New Zealand, given our light approach towards alcohol advertising.
New Zealand and Australia are some of the highest consumers of alcohol, and researchers are worried that the rise of digital marketing is increasing the impact of alcohol advertising.
As digital spaces such as the metaverse begin to gain traction, there are concerns that Australasia’s lax approach to alcohol marketing has been overlooked in decision-making.
Emilia Sullivan spoke to Sally Casswell from Massey University about the matter.
The Government has today confirmed key details of the nationwide, rollout of cameras on commercial fishing vessels. Up to 300 inshore fishing vessels will be fitted with this technology by the end of 2024, providing independent, accurate information about fishing activity and better evidence for decision-making.
Joe spoke to Hon David Parker, the Minister for Ocean and Fisheries on the matter.
Overnight, civil servant Sue Gray released her long-awaited report into a series of parties held in the prime minister's office while the UK was in covid lockdowns.
While the report is impartial and doesn’t make any specific recommendations as to the repercussions Prime Minister Boris Johnson should face, it found that these events “should not have been allowed to happen”, and now the question has been passed to the Conservative Party to assess whether Johnson should remain in his post.
Emilia Sullivan spoke to Aeron Davis, professor of political communication at Victoria University of Wellington about the inquiry.
Joe speaks to Will Matthews, an organiser from the Public Service Association about the DHB’s Offer and ERA’s Recommendations that were released to Allied Health Workers this week. He’ll also be speaking to the Honourable David Parker, the Minister for Ocean and Fisheries about the nationwide rollout of cameras on commercial fishing vessels
Emilia speaks to Massey University’s Sally Casswell about Digital Alcohol Marketing crossing borders. She’ll also be speaking to Aeron Davis from Victoria University about the Partygate scandal in UK Politics after the official inquiry was released overnight.
Trishil has taken over Eurovision for the week as Frances recovers from a cold, speaking with Cameron Mulgan about the war in Ukraine, Grain Exports being affected leaving Ukraine, The spread of Monkeypox across Europe and the many methods of dealing with the disease, Spain introducing a paid menstrual leave package, and discussions about the Cannes Film Festival.That's us for the Wednesday Wire!
This week on the Wednesday Wire, Aneeka and Trishil are filling in for Stella.
Alex speaks with ACT party deputy leader Brooke Van Velden about the budget, with a specific focus on climate change.
Trishil speaks to Professor Stanley Hoadley about an impending oil embargo being placed against Russia, and the fall out that such a move would result in.
Trishil also speaks to Richard Beasley from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand and Joanna Turner from Asthma and Respiratory New Zealand about a new study touting the effectiveness of using a combined tubuhaler to reduce the severely of asthma attacks.
Finally Trishil has taken over Eurovision for the week, speaking with Cameron Mulgan about the war in Ukraine, Grain Exports being affected leaving Ukraine, The spread of Monkeypox across Europe and the many methods of dealing with the disease, Spain introducing a paid menstrual leave package, and discussions about the Cannes Film Festival.That's us for the Wednesday Wire!
Trishil speaks to Richard Beasley from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand and Joanna Turner from Asthma and Respiratory New Zealand about a new study touting the effectiveness of using a combined tubuhaler to reduce the severely of asthma attacks.
The war in Ukraine is continuing to heat up. The European Union has voted to place an oil embargo against Russia.
Trishil speaks to Professor Stanley Hoadley about an impending oil embargo being placed against Russia, and the fall out that such a move would result in.
These past few weeks in politics have seen various issues that we spoke about in our weekly catchup with the National Party.
First up, at the Aotearoa Music Awards, National MP Chris Bishop was heard making disdainful remarks such as “what a load of crap” during a performance by singer Stan Walker.
Second, Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngārewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi were recently suspended from parliament for 21 days for their haka protesting the Treaty Principles Bill. The penalty is far harsher than any previous penalty for an MP, raising questions about whether it is justified or sets a dangerous precedent.
Finally, the government recently announced a new visa for parents of migrants, allowing them to come to New Zealand for a longer period of time than traditional visitors without having to acquire residency.
Wire host Castor asked about each of these issues in our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, starting with Chris Bishop’s comments at the AMAs.
The recommended suspension for Te Pāti Māori MPs, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, over the MP’s haka in Parliament during the first reading of the Treaty Principles Bill last year.
Co-leaders Ngarewa-Packer and Waititi will be suspended from the House for 21-days, with Maipi-Clarke facing a seven day suspension. This is Parliament's harshest sanctions in the country’s history. Prior to this, the longest suspension an MP had faced in Parliament was three days.
The debate had previously been delayed so that the MPs could participate in the Budget debate — however, both co-leaders were not present at the debate.
During the debate MP Tākuta Ferris said that the debate was not about the haka, but at the heart, it was the House continuing to ignore Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori sovereignty, and that the “racism” in the House is hardly being hidden.
For our weekly catch-up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about the suspension, and what’s next for the party.
They also discussed NZ First Party Leader Winston Peters’ comments regarding Waititi’s moko, referring to the MPs moko kanohi as “scribbles”. He was asked to apologise by the Speaker, which he did.
But first, they discussed the suspension of the MPs.
As per coalition agreements, ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, has been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister, taking over from NZ First Leader, Winston Peters.
For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about Seymour’s new position, and what this means for the party.
They also discussed accusations Seymour made regarding submissions to the Regulatory Standards Bill.
In an interview with Guyon Espiner, Seymour claimed that 99.5% of the submissions against the Regulatory Standards Bill were driven by ‘bots’ and were ‘fake’ submissions.
Seymour later clarified to RNZ that by bots, he was meaning “online campaigns” creating “non-representative samples” that do not represent the public’s opinion.
The Ministry of Regulations received roughly 23,000 submissions on the bill. Of the submissions. Of the submissions, 0.33% were fully or partially supporting the bill, with 88% being against the bill.
Finally, they discussed the recommended suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs’ Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi, and Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke standing.
But they, we discussed David Seymour as Deputy Prime Minister.
Auckland Transport are seeking community feedback on a proposal for a new T3 transit lane on Mount Smart Road to relieve congestion during peak times heading towards the Royal Oak roundabout.
Between better public transport systems, a ‘time of use’ charge, and different ways of managing Auckland traffic, Producer Sara asks Councillor Julie Fairey about how Auckland Council hopes to reduce peak-time congestion as the city’s population grows.
She also talk to Julie Fairey about the recent allocation of funds to community-led projects through Ngā Hapori Momoho. This year, the grant which aims to “improve financial security, improve health outcomes, and grow community and intercultural connection” has approved funding for eleven community groups, six of which are either Māori organisations or delivering ‘strong Māori outcomes’.
Sara begins with questions about Auckland central congestion.
*unfortunately the audio quality on Julie's end is poor
Last week the government announced a series of changes to 16 national direction instruments under the Resource Management Act that would change the way councils implement local plans and rules.
Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, described the changes as removing ‘unnecessary regulations’ for primary industries and investment, with the main changes being: removing freshwater management regulations for councils, removing regulations for the construction of mines and quarries and removing restrictions on non-intensive grazing of beef, cattle and deer in wetlands.
In that same week, Associate Education Minister, David Seymour made a series of changes to the pay parity scheme impacting primary school teachers, where education centres would not need to factor additional and higher qualifications when working out teacher’s starting salaries.
And, just recently, Workplace Relations and Safety minister Brooke van Velden recently announced that she’d be making a series of changes to WorkSafe in order to shift regulators priorities from enforcement to advice.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March to get the party’s take on all of these issues.
The Budget for 2025 came out two weeks ago, with news for the nation on how funds will be allocated over the coming year. The budget held big news for defence spending, $12 billion over the next four years, including $9 billion of new spending.
The funding is planned to go towards various technologies and equipment for different branches of the military, including replacements for two Air Force Boeing 757 planes and new helicopters to be operated from Navy ships. Defence Minister Judith Collins also announced plans to acquire new killer drones with increased lethality, raising some human rights concerns.
In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the defence spending announcements, concerns over killer drones, and if this money is best spent on more military equipment.
After years of discussion, Auckland Council’s Planning and Policy Committee have approved zoning changes for the city centre, which will see taller buildings and increased development capacity within the Central Business District.
Plan Change 78 sought to increase density and will see double height limits for most of the city centre, up to twenty storeys, unlimited building height for a small section, and the removal of limitations on floor plans to attract investment into a wider variety of building types.
With notification of this decision made tomorrow, the changes are expected to be included in the Auckland Unitary Plan to become operative in June this year.
As well, consultation is currently open in relation to the Western Springs speedway, of which Auckland Council voted in favour of last year based on financial underperformance.
The decision to keep the speedway, develop a new stadium or explore new opportunities for the space has been a hot topic in public debate, with figures like former All Black Sir Bryan Williams, Rich lister Anna Mowbray and her husband, former All Black Ali Williams chiming into the discussion.
Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson this week about both of these topics, starting with the future of development in Auckland’s central city.
From 9th June, the United Nations Ocean Conference is being held in France, which is co-hosting the event with Costa Rica.
More than 50 world leaders are expected to attend, with 1500 delegates from almost 200 countries.
The conference follows the world’s first deep-sea mining application for the international seabed, which was submitted to the United States government as opposed to the United Nations regulator.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Juressa Lee (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Rarotonga), seabed mining campaigner at Greenpeace, about the conference.
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