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 that Auckland would move to Step 2 of Level three from next Tuesday at 11:59pm in principle. Waikato will also be moved to Step 2 at 11:59pm tonight. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston interviews Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, an immuniologist and Head of the Pacific Office at the Univeristy of Otago Wellington, about the easing of these restrictions. They discuss Dianne's position on the decision and the impact in may have on Māori and Pacific communities
Last week the government announced that funding for the disabled would be transferred from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social development to a new Ministry for Disabled People. The new Ministry has been welcomed by many disability support organisations, as it gives hope for fairer and better services. Joe talks to Peter Reynolds, the CEO of the Disability Support Network on the matter.
A Recent study published by researchers from the UK and Australia have found that research funding for eating disorders and support services are quite low, especially amongst youth. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues we see a notable increase in people struggling with mental health problems, experts have raised the point that the rising demand in support services from young people needs to be matched with research in order to track the long-term effect that conditions such as eating disorders have. Joe talks to Associate Professor in Psychological Medicine Jenny Jordan from the University of Otago on the matter.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation and the Secondary Principals Association released their recent study on vaping amongst youth in New Zealand. The study was New Zealand's biggest vaping survey, with nineteen thousand students from years nine to thirteen participating. The survey was carried out due to growing concerns from schools, teachers and parents over vaping and smoking habits. Joe talks to Letitia Harding, the Chief Executive from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation about the study’s findings.
Following a number of drowning fatalities over lockdown, Drowning Prevention Auckland is launching an online learning module for adults. This new module aims to address the gap between perception and reality when it comes to water competency.
Jessica Hopkins spoke to researcher, Teresa Stanley about how people can stay safe by assessing their competence and preparing themselves for open water activities.
Jessica Hopkins spoke to executive director Robyn Twemlow and Sian Winmill, a person with tourette's syndrome about why the lack of funded support services needs to be addressed urgently.
Host, Jessica Hopkins is finally back in the studio for the Wire today.
This week she speaks to Robyn Twemlow and Sian Winmill from the Tourettes Association of NZ about why they are calling for the Ministry of Health to consider Tourettes Syndrome as a disability.
She also speaks to researcher Teresa Stanley about Drowning Prevention Auckland's new learning module for adults, to address the gap between perception and reality when it comes to water competency
Producer Joe Wickins speaks to Letitia Harding from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation about their latest research on youth vaping.
And Christina Huang continues her regular segment with the Waitematā Local Board. This week she speaks to board member Kerrin Leoni.
Noah speaks to Local Government Ministerm Nanaia Mahuta, National's Spokesperson for Local Government, Christopher Luxon, and Green Party Spokesperson for Conservation, Eugenie Sage, about Three Waters management.
Ilena speaks to Paris Marx about Facebook's new 'metaverse', and Councillor Pippa Coom about light rail and libraries.
The government has announced they are pushing through with their Three Waters plan to centralise water management in Aotearoa, despite opposition from numerous mayors and councils.
Noah Ferguson-Dudding spoke to Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta about the backlash it has received. Healso spoke to National's Local Government Spokesperson, Christopher Luxon, and the Green Party's Conservation Spokesperson, Eugenie Sage, to hear why they oppose the policy.
Ilena caught up with Pippa Coom about Council's recommendations for the Auckland Light Rail team which Cabinet will consider later this year. They talked about what the options are on the table for light rail, how it differs from heavy rail (such as the city rail link being built in Auckland CBD), and the need for rapid transport options in Auckland.
They also briefly spoke about Auckland Libraries’ and Council’s response to a petition asking for a click and collect system to be put in place. Since the interview, it has indeed been announced that Auckland libraries will be operating a click and collect service from November 2nd.
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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