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 this weeks Thursday Wire, Emilia speaks to Health Minister Andrew Little about the nurses pay equity settlement and nurse recruitment efforts.
She also speaks to Dr Nic Rawlence from the University of Otago about his latest study that allows for a non-destructive extraction of ancient DNA from small fossils.
Alex speaks to the University of Auckland’s Dr. Alys Longley about her new collaborative art piece which was created across media during the pandemic.
Joe speaks to Teanau Tuiono, Green Party spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, about the security and future of students in West Papua.
He also speaks to David Dempsey, a Senior Lecturer from the University of Canterbury, about AI technology being used to detect seismic activity before volcanic eruptions. That's us for the Thursday Wire!
Our regular interview with Labour’s Andrew Little is back.
Emilia Sullivan spoke to the Health Minister about the pay equity settlement that the New Zealand Nurses Association has recently decided to seek legal advice against, as well as the government’s plan to increase the nurse workforce with recruitment campaigns amid a surge in nurse burnout.
Frances speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden swinging towards joining NATO, the UK's refugee response (sending asylum seekers to Rwanda), French election polls (and some scandals) and the Venice Bienalle opening this weekend .
Micro plastics are an issue of growing concern, having been found in environments around the world while the impact on animal and human health has only just started to be quantified.
A team at Flinders University recently completed a study which found concerning levels of microplastic pollution in mussels in South Australia. Alex spoke with the leader of the research Janet Klein earlier today.
In light of crime increases in Auckland’s CBD, Stella talks to James Oleson, Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Auckland about the ways we measure, perceive and respond to crime, and what the literature says about police presence as a deterrent for criminal behaviour. They also respond to calls from mayoral candidates to re-establish a police office in downtown Auckland.
We start off with a conversation with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about a Ministry of Health memo released yesterday that advised for the end of MIQ way back in November 2021, and Auckland Council’s implementation of residential density legislation.
Stella then speaks with James Oleson, Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Auckland about the crime in the CBD.
Frances then speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving a general update on the situation in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden swinging towards joining NATO, the UK's refugee response (sending asylum seekers to Rwanda), French election polls (and some scandals) and the Venice Bienalle opening this weekend
Isla and Stella then host an episode of Tomorrow’s World, investigating viral dogs that have been trained to press buttons that speak human words with PhD candidate Dana Keating from the University of Auckland.
I then speak with Flinders University’s Janet Klein on her research into microplastics in South Australian waters.
Finally, I discuss her new, collaborative artpiece with the University of Auckland’s Alys Longley which was created across media during COVID
Producer Joe Wickins spoke to Professor Amanda Black, Director at Bioprotection Aotearoa and Rutherford Discovery Fellow, as well as Dr. Dan Hikuroa, Senior Lecturer, at the School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, on the triennial report on the state of the environment in Aotearoa and how it has changed the framework for how it reports its findings.
Christina had her regular catch up with AUT Professor Marcus Jones for Dear Science. This week, they discussed a new thermal battery that could efficiently store renewable energy, the search for Earth 2.0, and how monkeys can sense their own heartbeat.
Christina also spoke to James Hita, a Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner, about the impacts of deep sea mining, and Tuvalu reversing its decision to sponsor a deep sea mining company.
And News and Editorial Director Aneeka Moheed caught up with Dr Shane Reti from the National Party about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heading off to Asia and the country’s recent move down to the orange traffic light setting.
This week on our regular catch up with Dr Shane Reti from the National Party, News and editorial director Aneeka speaks to him about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heading off to Asia and the country’s recent move down to the orange traffic light setting.
The government of the Pacific island nation Tuvalu has recently reversed its decision to sponsor a deep sea mining company. This decision has been met with support from environmental activists. On the Tuesday Wire, Christina spoke to James Hita, a Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner, about the impacts of deep sea mining.
The triennial report on the state of the environment in Aotearoa has changed the framework for how it reports its findings. It looks more at mātauranga Māori and exploring the connection between the environment and people. Joe spoke to Professor Amanda Black, Director at Bioprotection Aotearoa and Rutherford Discovery Fellow, as well as Dr. Dan Hikuroa, Senior Lecturer, Te Wānanga o Waipapa, Waipapa Taumata Rau (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies, at the University of Auckland on the matter.
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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