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.
Yesterday the government announced a change with vaccine mandates, passes and tracking. NZEI Te Riu Roa has said they’re supporting members with adapting to the changes to ensure the health and wellbeing of tamariki and staff within school and ECE environments.
Joe spoke to Liam Rutherford, the President of NZEI on the matter.
The Indonesian Government plans to develop a gold mine in a region of Papua.The Sugapa district of the Intan Jaya regency is one of the biggest gold ore reserves in Indonesia, known as Wabu Block. The area is also a conflict hotspot. Between 2020 and 2021, 12 Indigenous Papuans were killed by Indonesians security forces occupying the area.
Joe spoke to Veronica Koman, the Strategic Advocacy Campaigner for Amnesty International, speaking about the situation in Papua.
Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures released its report yesterday, titled "Reimagining Tāmaki Makaurau", which intends to provoke discussion about the potential for Auckland by the year 2070 and explains why Auckland's structures for governance, management, planning, and funding need to be rethought.
Emilia Sullivan spoke to Dr. Anne Bardsley, Deputy Director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures and co-author of the report.
This week on EuroVision European Correspondent Cameron Mulgan joins us to tell us what’s going on in Europe. This week Cameron and Frances spoke about the developments in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who has just returned to the UK after being detained in Iran for nearly six years and a little about what’s happening with the music scene in the wake of Brexit over there.
This week on the Wire Alex begins by speaking to the ACT party’s Brooke Van Velden about the history curriculum and the housing market.
Frances then speaks to Gabriel Gati from Bike Auckland about the massive rates of bike theft in Auckland and an initiative called 529 Garage which is hoping to decrease the rates of bike theft. She then speaks with our Europe Correspondent Cameron Mulgan on this week's Eurovision segment. This week we get an update on Ukraine, talk about Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe returning to the UK, and what the music scene is looking like over there in the wake of Brexit
Alex wraps up the show speaking with Matt Doocey from the National Party about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report and the Green Party’s Teanau Tuiono about his call for more long-term support for Maori and Pasifika in the midst of the pandemic.
In Tāmaki Makaurau 500 – 1000 bikes are reported stolen each year. However, it is estimated that the actual number is between 2500 – 5000. 7% of people who have a bike stolen don't replace it and stop riding altogether, and bike theft becomes a financial barrier to choosing to bike.
Bike Auckland is an advocacy group who are working to create a better city for people on bikes. They are wanting to reduce barriers that stop people riding bikes, so people can keep using their bikes – for the planet, for climate change, for safe live-able cities and for mental and physical health.
Bike Auckland have recently partnered with Project 529 to tackle bike theft with the launch of a new bike registration and recovery system called 529 Garage. This week on the Wire, Frances caught up with Gabriel Gati who is on the leadership team with Bike Auckland and spoke about bike theft in the city and what this initiative of 529 Garage might do to reduce it.
If you are interested in getting your bike registered with 529 you can send an email to 529@bikeauckland.org.nz, visit www.529garage.co.nz or find their app by searching 529 Garage.
Earlier today Producer Alex chatted with National Party MP and Mental Health Spokesperson Matt Doocey about the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s recent report, which was damning about the outcomes that are being achieved with the Government’s present approach to mental health.
Shortly before the show Prodcuer Alex chatted with Green MP Teanau Tuiono about how the omicron outbreak is affecting Maori and Pasifika communities and what the government can do better.
Recently, the Herald revealed that a woman, who was a student at the University of Auckland, had been sexually assaulted by another student from her university of hall of residence. The perpetrator was reprimanded and prohibited from contacting the victim, but eight months on, he remains enrolled at the university.
Christina spoke to Vivien Whyte and Lily Chen from Thursdays in Black about the incident. They discussed rape culture on campus and the university’s response.
Today on the Wire, host Christina caught up with AUT Professor Marcus Jones for Dear Science. They talked about Russian and Ukrainian geopolitics reaching the International Space Station, an electrical circuit board that can learn on its own, and the implications of mapping the genome of an IVF embryo.
Producer Trishil Dahya spoke with Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clarke about a proposed bill to bring transparency around the tax and business affairs of foreign and domestic companies.
Christina talked to Karen Orsborn from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission about their latest report on mental health and addiction in Aotearoa.
And finally, Christina spoke to Vivien Whyte and Lily Chen from Thursdays in Black about rape culture and sexual violence in the University of Auckland.
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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