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The Wire

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.

Elon Musk Buying Twitter w/ Greg Treadwell: April 28, 2022

Elon Musk Buying Twitter w/ Greg Treadwell: April 28, 2022 Elon Musk Buying Twitter w/ Greg Treadwell: April 28, 2022, 24.92 MB
Thu 28 Apr 2022

Twitter has agreed to sell its platform to Elon Musk for a mammoth sixty seven billion New Zealand dollars. 

Musk, who is a self-professed ‘free speech absolutist’ has given hints as to what he plans to do with the site regarding content moderation, user verification, and more.

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Greg Treadwell, head of the journalism department at AUT about what this acquisition of twitter by Elon Musk could mean.

Making the Voting Age 16 w/ Make it 16's Sanat Singh: April 28, 2022

Making the Voting Age 16 w/ Make it 16's Sanat Singh: April 28, 2022 Making the Voting Age 16 w/ Make it 16's Sanat Singh: April 28, 2022, 22.17 MB
Thu 28 Apr 2022

A campaign to give 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote has been granted leave to appeal in the Supreme Court. 

While the Court of Appeal agreed that barring teenagers from voting was in fact unjustified age discrimination, they stopped short of making a formal declaration.

Emilia Sullivan spoke to Sanat Singh, co-director of Make it 16 about his campaign heading to the Supreme Court.

The Wire w/ Joe: April 28, 2022

The Wire w/ Joe: April 28, 2022 The Wire w/ Joe: April 28, 2022, 98.06 MB
Thu 28 Apr 2022

This week on The Wire for Thursday!

We have our regular chat with Andrew Little. Tuva’a speaks to him about the new health system reforms.

Joe speaks to Jude Ball from the University of Otago about adolescent drinking trends. He also will be speaking to Breast Cancer Foundation Chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner about New Zealand’s lack of access to cancer drugs.

Emilia speaks to Sanat Singh from Make it 16 about their case to lower the voting age making it to the Supreme Court. She also speaks to Greg Treadwell from AUT about Twitter agreeing to a sale to Elon Musk.

That's us for the Thursday Wire!

Microplastics in Freshwater w/ University of Auckland's Kevin Simon: April 27, 2022

Microplastics in Freshwater w/ University of Auckland's Kevin Simon: April 27, 2022 Microplastics in Freshwater w/ University of Auckland's Kevin Simon: April 27, 2022, 19.22 MB
Wed 27 Apr 2022

Alex speaks with Associate Professor Kevin Simon of the University of Auckland about microplastic pollution in freshwater.

The Wire w/ Alex: April 27, 2022

The Wire w/ Alex: April 27, 2022 The Wire w/ Alex: April 27, 2022, 95.76 MB
Wed 27 Apr 2022

We start off with a conversation with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about the housing crisis and how to boost housing supply. 

Stella then speaks with Angela Maynard from the Tenants Protection Association about the human rights commission’s call for an independent housing authority and rental WOFs

This is followed by Stella chatting with Georgia Pigot, an environmental social scientist from the university of auckland about the third round of funding for the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund

Alex then speaks with Associate Professor Kevin Simon of the University of Auckland about microplastic pollution in freshwater. 

And then with Steven Trewick of Massey University about his research into six new Weta species in the alpine region of the south island.

Finally, Stella speaks with ben Birks Ang, deputy director of the NZ drug foundation, about recent police wastewater statistics showing increases in methamphetamine. 

Alpine Weta w/ Massey University's Steven Trewick: April 27, 2022

Alpine Weta w/ Massey University's Steven Trewick: April 27, 2022 Alpine Weta w/ Massey University's Steven Trewick: April 27, 2022, 18.98 MB
Wed 27 Apr 2022

Alex speaks with Steven Trewick of Massey University about his research into six new Weta species in the alpine region of the south island.

Healthy Homes w/ Angela Maynard: April 27, 2022

Healthy Homes w/ Angela Maynard: April 27, 2022 Healthy Homes w/ Angela Maynard: April 27, 2022, 15.7 MB
Wed 27 Apr 2022

There’s been a recent call from the Human Rights Commission for an independent housing authority to regulate the quality of rentals, and implement a warrant of fitness for homes, to protect renters. This morning I spoke with Angela Maynard from the Tenants Protection Association about the call to action. 

Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund w/ Georgia Piggot: April 27, 2022

Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund w/ Georgia Piggot: April 27, 2022 Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund w/ Georgia Piggot: April 27, 2022, 15.66 MB
Wed 27 Apr 2022

Yesterday the honourable Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources announced  the third round of the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund will provide $13 million to 15 businesses to help them move away from fossil fuels. I spoke with Georgia Piggot,  an environmental social scientist from the University of Auckland, starting by asking her if the funding will inspire other businesses to follow suit, even if they aren’t receiving that funding  

Spotify's Privacy Issues w/ Fabio Morreale: April 26, 2022

Spotify's Privacy Issues w/ Fabio Morreale: April 26, 2022 Spotify's Privacy Issues w/ Fabio Morreale: April 26, 2022, 20.95 MB
Tue 26 Apr 2022

Tinder and Spotify are two popular apps that rely on AI algorithms to recommend matches and music based on their users’ preferences, but exactly how do these algorithms work and how are they using our data in the process? NZ legal and music experts combed through the privacy policies and terms of use of these apps to see if they provided any detail, but found that the wording was somewhat ambiguous. They also found possible legal and ethical issues within the privacy policies. Joe spoke to co-author of the study, Fabio Morreale from the School of Music at the University of Auckland, on the matter.

 

Mental Health Support for Rainbow Rangatahi w/ Gloria Fraser: April 26, 2022

Mental Health Support for Rainbow Rangatahi w/ Gloria Fraser: April 26, 2022 Mental Health Support for Rainbow Rangatahi w/ Gloria Fraser: April 26, 2022, 16.48 MB
Tue 26 Apr 2022

Last week a new study released detailed gaps in mental health services for rainbow youth. Researchers at Victoria University of Wellington surveyed more than 950 people aged 14 to 24 in “the first study of mental health support experiences among rainbow rangatahi in Aotearoa New Zealand.” Joe spoke to Clinical Psychologist Gloria Fraser, who co-authored the study, on the matter.

 

The Budget for Youth: Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 27th May, 2025

The Budget for Youth: Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 27th May, 2025 The Budget for Youth: Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 27th May, 2025, 16.08 MB
Tue 27 May 2025

The Budget for 2025 came out last week on Thursday, with news for the nation on how funds will be allocated over the coming year. While some of the budget announcements were new news, the government had staggered others over the previous few weeks. In the new announcements were changes to Kiwisaver and the Jobseeker benefit. 

The Kiwisaver changes involved a 50% reduction in the government’s Kiwisaver contribution, from around $500 a year to around $250. To compensate, the government increased the minimum employer and employee contributions from 3% to 4%. While this means people will end up with similar or greater amounts of money in Kiwisaver, it also means people will have access to less money right now. 

The Jobseeker changes were also announced in the budget, with further restrictions added for 18-19-year-olds applying for the benefit. 18-19-year-olds applications will now be tested against their parents’ incomes, restricting large groups from accessing the support. 

These changes both appear to primarily affect young people. While the government claims to care so much about education and schools, they seem comfortable with taking support away from Aotearoa’s young adults as soon as they finish high school. In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the Kiwisaver and Jobseeker changes in this year’s budget.

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 27th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Dr. Cushla McGoverin: 27th May, 2025 Cushla McGoverin: 27th May, 2025, 18.54 MB
Tue 27 May 2025

This week on Dear Science, we chatted with our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin, about infrared contact lenses, giant sloths, and new tech to break down biofilms

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

The 2025 Budget on Māori initiatives, deferral of debating the suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 26 May, 2025

The 2025 Budget on Māori initiatives, deferral of debating the suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 26 May, 2025 The 2025 Budget on Māori initiatives, deferral of debating the suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 26 May, 2025, 16.91 MB
Mon 26 May 2025

Last week, Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, announced her ‘growth’ Budget for 2025.

In the Budget, multiple initiatives received a boost in funding. 

Operational funding and capital funding for Māori education received a $54 million boost and $50 million boost respectively for Māori learner success, with a $14 million injection for Māori wardens, Pacific wardens, and the Māori women’s welfare league.

However, a variety of Māori initiatives have faced substantial cuts.

The Māori Development Fund has had $20 million cut over four years, $32.5 million has been cut from Māori housing initiatives, and $375.5 million cut to the Kāhui Ako programme.

Labour’s Māori Development spokesperson, Willie Jackson, claims that overall, in Budget 2025, Māori initiatives are seeing cuts of roughly $750 million.

For our weekly catchup, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about Budget 2025 and it’s impacts on Māori initiatives.

They also spoke about the debate on the potential suspension of Te Pāti Māori co-leaders, Rawiri Waititi, and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, and MP Hana Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, being pushed back prior to the Budget debate. 

As well as this, notably, during the Budget debate itself, both Waititi and Ngarewa-Packer were absent.

However, they first discussed the 2025 Budget and Māori initiatives

Budget 2025’s impact on education and young people w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 26 May, 2025

Budget 2025’s impact on education and young people w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 26 May, 2025 Budget 2025’s impact on education and young people w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 26 May, 2025, 16.66 MB
Mon 26 May 2025

In Budget 2025, private schools will receive subsidies increasing the annual spend by $4.6 million a year, to $46.2 million. As well as this, the annual spend on charter schools will double to $57 million.

ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, says that independent schools are an important part of New Zealand’s education landscape that offers diversity of choice for parents.

For our weekly catchup, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about the additional support independent schools will receive, and how this will benefit the average taxpayer.

They also discussed changes to Jobseeker and emergency benefits for 18-to-19 year olds, as those receiving this benefit will now have their benefit tested against their parents income.

The move, which is set to come into effect in 2027, is estimated to impact almost 9000 young people.

They also discussed changes to Kiwisaver, where the government will halve subsidies and increase employer contributions to a minimum of 4% from 3%.

But first, they discussed the additional support for independent schools.

International Desk: Israel’s Blockade on Aid into Gaza and the Role of International Law w/ Australian National University’s Donald Rothwell 22 May: 2025

International Desk: Israel’s Blockade on Aid into Gaza and the Role of International Law w/ Australian National University’s Donald Rothwell 22 May: 2025 International Desk: Israel’s Blockade on Aid into Gaza and the Role of International Law w/ Australian National University’s Donald Rothwell 22 May: 2025, 16.2 MB
Thu 22 May 2025

International pressure is mounting against Israel for the 11-week-long and ongoing blockade of aid into Gaza.

The few aid trucks that have been let into Gaza have not been distributed, according to the United Nations.

It comes as cases against Israel in the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court (ICC) for existing violations of international law remain ongoing.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Professor Donald Rothwell from the Australian National University Law School about the aid blockade and response in international law.

Littering in Council Parks, Illegal Dumping increases across Auckland, & Auckland as the 'premier tech city' of New Zealand w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 22 May, 2025

Littering in Council Parks, Illegal Dumping increases across Auckland, & Auckland as the 'premier tech city' of New Zealand w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 22 May, 2025 Littering in Council Parks, Illegal Dumping increases across Auckland, & Auckland as the 'premier tech city' of New Zealand w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 22 May, 2025, 33.3 MB
Thu 22 May 2025

Last year, Auckland Council removed 30% of bins from public places with the hopes of saving about $9.5 million over an eight year period. While the council didn’t foresee an increase in littering, last week Stuff published an article sharing the frustrations of residents who observed a growing litter problem in council parks.

Illegal dumping has also been on the rise across Auckland.
 With more than 1300 reports per month, the cost of retrieving illegally dumped items is about $2.7 million every year and rising.

Also Mayor Wayne Brown has announced that he wants to see Auckland become the “premier tech city” of New Zealand to boost our global influence and reputation—-- calling on the government to establish the new Advanced Technology Institute here, which he says could play a key role in guiding new start-ups, so ideas don’t ‘die on the vine’.

Beginning with the problem of rubbish in Auckland, Producer Sara started by asking Julie Fairey if she believed the removal of bins was to blame for increased littering

Pre-budget Announcements and the Suspensions of Te Paati Māori MPs w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 22 May, 2025

Pre-budget Announcements and the Suspensions of Te Paati Māori MPs w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 22 May, 2025 Pre-budget Announcements and the Suspensions of Te Paati Māori MPs w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 22 May, 2025, 11.31 MB
Thu 22 May 2025

Today is Budget Day, the day the government releases their spending plans for the next year.

The embargo on the budget lifts at 2pm, however, there have already been several pre-budget spending announcements.

Earlier this week, the debate on the Privileges Committee report into the Treaty Principles Bill haka, led by Te Paati Māori, was deferred. 

Opposition MPs have raised concerns that because the debate has been deferred, the Te Paati Māori co-leaders may not be back in time to vote on the budget.

For our weekly catch-up with Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni, Wire Host Caeden asked about all of these topics.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 21 May, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 21 May, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March: 21 May, 2025, 15.25 MB
Wed 21 May 2025

Yesterday the debate in the privileges committee regarding the suspension of Te Pāti Māori MPs Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi was adjourned until after the upcoming budget announcement.

The Privileges Committee Report and recommended punishments for the three Te Pāti Māori MPs were issued last week for the Haka they performed during a parliamentary session in November 2024 in opposition to the ACT party’s Treaty Principles Bill.

In that same week, the Green party recently issued a call to the government to scrap the Regulatory Standards Bill after the Waitangi Tribunal found that the Bill breaches the Crown’s Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

And the government recently passed the Social Security Amendment Bill, which the government says would support people into employment and off benefits, however, opponents of the bill have said it could harm beneficiaries and lower income New Zealanders.

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party, Oto spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez-March about all of these issues.

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 20th May, 2025, 21.75 MB
Tue 20 May 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about personalised gene therapy, using molecules to spell a word, and the technique for the perfect manu

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

The Pay Equity Amendment Bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 20th May, 2025

The Pay Equity Amendment Bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 20th May, 2025 The Pay Equity Amendment Bill w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 20th May, 2025, 13.72 MB
Tue 20 May 2025

Just under two weeks ago the government passed the pay equity amendment bill under urgency. This bill would change existing pay equity legislation to make it more restrictive, which the government says will save billions of dollars. 

The process was originally introduced to address issues of pay inequity between sectors. While the Equal Pay Act mandates that people working the same job are paid the same regardless of gender, Pay Equity is meant to ensure industries dominated by women are not paid less than similar industries dominated by men. The process has worked by allowing applicants to compare their positions with positions in other sectors with similar workloads, skills, or experience. 

The government’s changes will limit the criteria for comparators, allow only industries with over 70% women in the workforce as opposed to the previous 60%, and removing the ability for the authority to award back pay, among other changes. 

These changes have been met with criticism from rights organisations, advocacy groups, and opposition parties. In our weekly catchup with National’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor asked about the government’s reasoning behind the Pay Equity Amendment Bill.