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.
Statistics released last week by the Ministry of Health give us an updated insight into the drinking of New Zealanders as part of the New Zealand Health Survey in the 2020/2021 year. However, Alcohol Action say these results show a negative view of alcohol consumption in New Zealand. Joe speaks to Professor Jennie Connor, a spokesperson for Alcohol Action the matter.
Workers at aged care home and hospitals across Aotearoa will take action at their workplaces and at Parliament this December, saying mandatory safe staffing is needed. Today union members from E Tu and NZNO, with support from National’s senior network, Grey Power, will present to Parliament a petition and open letter to the government demanding the change. Joe speaks to Jody Anderson, the union’s spokesperson.
Pfizer and BionTech said the third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the Omicron variant. Justin spoke to Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu from Otago University Wellington to discuss the science behind.
On their weekly chat, Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about the interim report from the PHARMAC review, and releasing unvaccinated Maori data.
He also talked to the University of Otago Wellington's Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu on the Pfizer-Biontech's booster shot against the Omicron variant.
Producer Joe Wilkins spoke to E tu union's Jody Anderson on safe staffing at aged care, and Professor Jennie Connor from Alcohol Action on drinking in New Zealand.
He also chatted with Olivia Harrison from Otago University on her research on perceiving mental health and anxiety.
Justin spoke to Health Minister Andrew Little about the interim report from the review into PHARMAC, and releasing unvaccinated Māori data for the rest of the North Island to the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency.
This week on the Wednesday Wire, the show kicks off with Christina having her regular segment Dear Science with AUT Professor Allan Blackman. They speak on the running of the bulls; discuss how spaceflight can affect the body; and talk about why getting rid of cataracts in our eyes could reduce the risk of dementia.
After that, Christina speaks with the Chair of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Hayden Wano, about their Te Rau Tira wellbeing report, and how we can improve outcomes for vulnerable communities in Aotearoa.
Then, Zazi talks to the Director of Research for Massey Business School and Professor of Retail Management, Jonathan Elms, about the Franchise sector growing in contribution, despite the pandemic.
And finally, Zazi has her regular talk with ACT's Brooke van Velden, where they talk about Brooke’s favourite political moments of the year, goals for next year as well as her summer plans.
This week Zazi talks to Brooke about her favourite political moments of the year, goals for next year, as well as her plans for summer.
In the first half, Brooke discusses what she thinks were some political highlights of 2021 (so far). Brooke shares what she is most proud of, what she thinks were some highlights from the Government and the National Party, as well as if she believes ACT could have performed better in any areas, this year.
In the second half, Zazi speaks to Brooke about her future goals for 2022, asking Brooke what she would like to see get tackled next year.
And finally, Zazi asks Brooke about her summer plans. Brooke tells Zazi what she is keen to do over the December and January period, whether she is wanting to leave Auckland after the city had more than a hundred days of lockdown, as well as if she is going to go to any summer festivals.
Yesterday, the latest Franchising New Zealand 2021 report was launched. In this report, there were many significant details - there are 590 different business format franchises in Aotearoa, the annual turnover of business format franchises showed major growth, and New Zealand is still the most franchised country in the world.
The survey was conducted between the 30th of September and the 29th of October by the Massey Business School, which means that this survey was also performed during a time when businesses were facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Zazi spoke with the author of this report, Jonathan Elms. He is the director of Research for Massey Business School and the Professor of Retail Management. He spoke to Zazi about these significant details within the report, what they mean, and why the franchising sector is important for Aotearoa’s economy.
Today, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released their Te Rau Tira wellbeing report. This report looks into the wellbeing of New Zealanders over the past year. With the Covid-19 pandemic raging on, it's a good time to check in on how Kiwis are holding up!
The report highlights the inequities in wellbeing faced by marginalised groups such as Māori, Pasifika, and women.
I spoke with the Commission's Board Chair, Hayden Wano, about the findings of the report, what it means for the community, and how we should narrow our focus to help those who have suffered disproportionately.
Today on the Tuesday Wire, Emily Bell interviews New Zealand Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Phil Twyford about the government's commitment to an international ban of killer robots in war.
Jemima Huston speaks to Anna Madarasz-Smith from LAWA about an online tool called Can I Swim Here? that can help you decide where to swim safely this summer.
Emily talks to campaign organiser Tessa Guest about the Free Fares initiative, which is calling for all students and people under twenty-five to have zero transport fares in New Zealand.
Jemima speaks to Stacey van der Putten from Auckland Transport about how lockdown has impacted public transport and how AT is working to keep people safe under the red setting
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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