Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Castor Chacko, Alex Fox, Emmanuel Orange, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
Earth Sciences NZ have released their first national risk model for Flooding, evaluating exposure of New Zealand’s infrastructure nation wide to floods and climate based harm.
The data shows the potential costs in damage to infrastructure at the forefront of inshore and river flooding, as well as the areas that face a greater risk of damage. However, this also shows that there are remaining issues of climate justice around those who are most vulnerable, which have not been taken into account as much as they should have in this map.
Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Lecturer in Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Auckland, and research lead at the Future Cities Research Centre Dr Iresh Jayawardena about this map, what it means for our infrastructure, and what still needs to be done.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about government ministers announcing they are considering banning rough sleeping in Auckland’s CBD and the Regulatory Standards Bill passing its second reading.
Producer Alex spoke to Dr Iresh Jayawardena, a lecturer in Architecture and Urban Planning and lead researcher for the Future Cities Research Centre about Earth Science New Zealand’s new Flood Risk Map, and what it says about our infrastructure’s exposure to climate based harms.
And Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland, about NZ First’s members bill proposed a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks, touching on why we are seeing so many members bills from the party.
In light of Guy Fawkes Day last week, the NZ First Party has launched a member’s bill that aims to ban the public sale and use of fireworks in the country.
Party Leader, Winston Peters, in announcing the member’s bill, says the reason for this proposed move stems from its possibility to cause fires, and its harm to pets.
News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Law Professor at the University of Auckland, about the member’s bill, and the impact fireworks season has on animals, both companion and non-companion.
They also touched on why we have seen so many member’s bills come from the party, in light of an opinion piece by Spinoff journalist Joel MacManus.
Concerns have been raised that rough sleepers will be pushed into unfamiliar suburbs outside of Auckland CBD, following government ministers' consideration of new measures.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says he had been tasked with making sure police were equipped to halt public disorder. When questioned explicitly about the ban, he said, "We're working our way through those issues... when we've got something to announce, we'll announce that."
As well as this, the Regulatory Standards Bill has passed its second reading in Parliament, having seen a few changes made to the bill in the select committee process.
The bill, having received 156,000 public submissions, almost 99% in opposition to the bill, is controversial. Constitutional experts and critics of the bill have expressed concerns that the amendments do not address its failings, and the “ideological” way it has been written means that if passed, the bill will have a lasting impact. The bill also lacks references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catch-up with ACT Party’s Simon Court, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to him about both these topics.
Earlier this week the government announced changes to climate change policy, with a controversial response to the choice to delay the Carbon Neutral Government Programme benchmark from 2025 to 2050.
The move also shifts dynamics of decision-making and consultation. The government has removed the requirement of advisory from the Climate Change Commission when developing emissions budgets, significantly altering the influence of the cross-partisan collective established through the Zero Carbon Act in 2019.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke with Adam Currie, Campaigner and Movement Support Manager for climate organisation 350 Aotearoa, about these changes.
Plan change 120, a new plan that seeks to allow for up to 2 million new dwellings in high density zones across mass rapid corridors throughout the city is currently up for public consultation.
Although hotly contested during the election period, it seems as if the city is on its way to unlocking high density development and a strengthening of its urban landscape against natural hazards.
Thursday Wire Producer Sanat talked to councilor Julie Fairey today about the consultation process, how people can get involved and what they should know about the plan change.
Sanat also talked to her about the process of going from being a candidate to actually starting a role in council, what the inauguration looks like and how the Auckland Council building feels as new Councillors settle in for their term.
Aotearoa’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed for Māori, Pacific and European adolescents, and vaping could be the reason, according to research published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific
The study, conducted by researchers from the Universities of Otago, Auckland, and Sydney, along with the Daffodil Centre in Australia, analysed population-level data from almost 600,000 Year 10 students aged 14–15. The students were surveyed between 2003 and 2024 as part of the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Year 10 Survey.
They found rates of regular smoking among 14-15-year-olds declined significantly for Māori, Pacific, European, and Asian adolescents between 2003 and 2024. However, these declines in smoking slowed for Māori, Pacific, and European youth after vaping emerged in 2010.
Thursday Wire Producer Sanat spoke to the University of Auckland's Dr Lucy Hardie about these findings and what the response needs to look like from policy makers in order to mitigate the predicted harms.
Next week is the start of COP30, the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This year it’s taking place in Brazil.
Earlier this week, the Trump Administration confirmed that no high-level Government representatives would be attending the climate talks.
Trump has previously called the climate crisis a “hoax” and “con job”.
For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Matt McDonald, Professor in the School of Political Science and International Studies, at the University of Queensland, about the lack of United States presence at COP30.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about the draft primary school curriculum, the Regulatory Standards Bill passing second reading, New Zealand First’s proposed ban on fireworks, and the government considering measures to move rough sleepers out of the Auckland CBD.
For International Desk, they spoke to Matt McDonald, Professor of International Relations at the University of Queensland, about high-level United States officials not attending COP30 next week.
Producer Jasmine spoke to 350 Aotearoa's Adam Currie about the government’s recent announcement to delay the carbon zero climate target to 2050.
And Producer Sanat talked to Councilor Julie Fairey about the latest developments with Plan Change 120 and what it feels like to transition from campaigning to governance
He also talked to the University of Auckland’s Dr Lucy Hardie about youth vaping and how it is widening inequalities throughout our communities.
National elections are a year away, and polling suggests that Labour has surpassed National to become the most popular party but would likely need to gain further support if they wish to form a government.
One of the top issues for voters is Healthcare, and in their first policy release, Labour is proposing funding three free GP visits with a limited Capital Gains Tax (CGT). They say this should improve our national health while also directing investment away from the property market and into productive local businesses.
Wednesday Wire Producer Manny spoke to Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign about Labours proposed policy.
Over the past week, the conflict in Iran has seen consistent U-turns as the United States continues to change its strategy in the war. On Wednesday morning, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran, saying "a civilisation will die tonight", just hours before agreeing to a two-week ceasefire with Tehran.
This ceasefire is now in doubt, however, as Israel has escalated its bombing campaign in Lebanon, killing hundreds since it was signed, and Trump announced this morning that the US will block the Strait of Hormuz after failed peace talks with Iran in Pakistan.
Amidst all of this, New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the day of Trump's threats and wouldn't condemn the comments. Some New Zealanders are concerned by the country's limp response to these illegal threats and actions against Iran.
Also this month, the Act Party has continued to call for the abolition of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, after it was announced that a complaint about online site The Platform and its host, Sean Plunkett, would be looked at by the authority.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, producer Thomas asked him about the ceasefire in Iran, the US blocking the Strait of Hormuz and the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Over the past few weeks, the government has been hesitant to call out the US and Israel for their role in the recent conflict in Iran. While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called for all parties to comply with international law, he refrained from explicitly addressing either aggressor. Only in the past week has Luxon offered any criticism, calling Trump’s Iran policy “unhelpful” and Finance Minister Nicola Willis “alarmed” at Trump’s comments around destruction of civilisation in Iran. Labour has criticised the government for its lack of a hard stance.
Also this past week has seen funding for the Tukituki water security project secured, which could see flooding for significant amounts of conservation land in the Hawke’s Bay. The project could also see acceleration under the Fast Track Approvals bill, which Labour has also criticised since its inception.
Lastly, Auckland Council has repeatedly called for additional support for public transport amidst the fuel crisis. Despite these calls, the government has yet to deliver.
To discuss each of these topics and what the Labour party could bring to the table, News Director Castor spoke to Labour MP Shanan Halbert.
A record number of Aucklanders are using public transport amidst rising fuel costs. The average number of users is up 10% from the same time last year.
And yesterday, Watercare lifted its boil water notice for the suburbs of Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak, and Three Kings after 2 days under the notice.
The notice was due to a detection of bacteria on Monday, which a Watercare investigation found was caused by a single water quality monitoring tap.
For City Counselling this week, The Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
This morning, with negotiations continuing to stall and his own deadline for ending the war approaching, US President Donald Trump threatened civilisational destruction on Iran if they did not concede to the US demands. Whether a sincere threat or an act of brinkmanship may remain unclear, as just before Trump’s deadline, Trump claimed a two week ceasefire had been agreed to.
Last week, the Green Party released their housing policy - a home for everyone. It takes a welfare-based approach, pitching rent controls, reversing tax breaks on the bright line test, and a public housing building program.
For our weekly catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March, Wire host Manny asked about the gravity of Trump's threats on Iran, but began with the Greens' housing platform.
Cabbage, mull, buds, dak, smoke, skunk, hash, chronic, grass, pot, cannabis. It’s the fourth most used recreational drug in New Zealand, coming in behind caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. Back in 2020, alongside the general election, voters were asked in a non-binding referendum whether they supported a proposed cannabis legalisation and control bill. The result was a vote opposing the legalisation of cannabis by a thin margin.
Currently, medicinal cannabis is available via prescription, but cannabis otherwise remains illegal to use, distribute, or produce.
For this week’s Get Action, producer Theo spoke to Patrick and Colden from the Reeferendum 2026 campaign, on their petition to legalise cannabis and reform drug laws and policing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here.
Last week, the Prime Minister revealed his cabinet reshuffle, which saw major changes to the roles of two prominent MPs and Ministers, Chris Bishop and Simeon Brown.
Last week also saw the passing of the Resource Management (Auckland Housing) Amendment Bill, after years of discussion, paving the way for a new approach to housing density and intensification in the future.
Of course, the fuel crisis is still hitting New Zealand, and discussions remain around the role public transport should play, and how the government should support public transit.
This week, Wire Host Alex spoke with National Party MP Ryan Hamilton about each of these topics, beginning with the cabinet reshuffle.
This week, the government announced another change to Plan Change 120, Auckland’s plan for future housing developments across the city. Originally, the plan proposed a minimum housing capacity of 2 million homes, but many in central suburbs raised concerns that intensification could harm the character of their neighbourhoods. In February, the government lowered the minimum capacity to 1.6 million, which Auckland’s council and mayor spoke out against.
Despite the disagreement, council developed new plans for the 1.6 million capacity. This week, however, the government announced plans to lower the minimum capacity further to 1.4 million, forcing council to make further changes to the plans.
Also these past few weeks we’ve seen disagreements between the government and council over how best to manage the fuel crisis. The government has focused on payouts to middle and lower class families with children, but Mayor Wayne Brown says a better solution could involve subsidising public transport.
To discuss each of these issues, News Director Castor spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey.
About a month ago, Wednesday Wire host Manny spoke to a researcher sounding the alarm over the state of our primary healthcare, here and globally.
Across the globe, services meant to be the first port of call for health issues such as dental, GPs and pharmacists, were found to be increasingly under stress as costs grow and the workforce fails to keep pace with demand.
Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Workforce Survey in 2022 raised concerns: Over half of GPs were planning to retire within the next decade, a declining number of GPs work in GP run practices and filling that gap is an increasing number of corporate healthcare providers.
As the holder of the Green parties Primary Healthcare Portfolio, our Green Party interviewee is the perfect subject to discuss his parties platform on the subject.
So for our weekly catch-up with the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March, we talk primary healthcare, it’s current state in Aotearoa, the issues it faces and where the Green Party would like to take it.
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