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.
Last week, ACC launched their Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative; an intiative that is investing $44.9 million dollars, over four years, to establish a fit-for-purpose sexual violence primary prevention system. Of this $44.9 million, $11.7 million is being purposed for Kaupapa Māori approaches.
This morning Zazi spoke to Emma Powell, ACC’s Chief Customer Officer, to talk about this ACC launch in more depth, and gain a better understanding as to how it will help prevent sexual violence.
Zazi began by asking Emma to explain the initiative in more detail.
Earlier today, Amnesty International New Zealand released a statement regarding the condition of prisons during the current lockdown, this comes after three new cases were found at Mt Eden Prison. Amnesty International New Zealand is calling for the government and the Minister of Corrections to ensure that proactive measures are taken to protect people in prison through access to vaccinations, PPE, health care and mental health services. Joe talked to Lisa Woods, the Campaign Manager for Amnesty International on the matter.
Today on the Wire, Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Andrew Chen, a Research Fellow for Koi Tū – the Centre for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland, about how new technologies will help New Zealand live safely with Covid-19 from now and into the future.
Joe Wickins talks to Amnesty International New Zealand's Lisa Woods about the condition of prisons amidst the current lockdown, and how prisoners must be protected from COVID-19.
This week on Tomorrow’s World, Isla Christensen and Stella Huggins discuss the rise of synthetic diamonds with Dr Geoff Wilmott.
Finally, Jemima interviews Dr Deborah Powell, the National Secretary of APEX, about the month-long strike for Ministry of Education psychologists that started last week.
To paraphrase Beyonce - If you like it then you should have put a lab grown ring on it! This week we discuss the rise of synthetic diamonds. Looking at market pressures, the energy consumption of the synthetic process and we get into the science of how diamonds form as carbon under pressure.
Last Tuesday, over 120 psychologists employed by the Ministry of Education working in schools and early childhood centers began a month-long strike. The strike action involves the psychologists refusing to accept further referrals of cases onto their caseload.
News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston speaks to Dr Deborah Powell, the National Secretary for APEX Union, about the strike. They discuss why there is such a significant difference in conditions for Ministry Psychologists compared to DHB Psychologists.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the government on the advice of health officials has been making decisions about new technologies such as the contact tracing app and now vaccine certificates. These technologies are designed to help New Zealand deal with the Covid-19 outbreaks within our community. News and Editorial Director Jemima Huston wanted to speak to an expert about how these technologies will work to help New Zealanders to live safely with the virus in the community from now and into the future.
Jemima interviews Dr Andrew Chen, a Research Fellow for Koi Tū – the Centre for Informed Futures at the University of Auckland, about how the vaccine certificate and the contact tracing app work to keep people safe and why these technologies are important in a Covid suppression strategy.
This week on the show, Jessica Hopkins speaks to Associate Professor Kerry Gibson from the University of Auckland about changing our approach to youth mental health, Professor Andrew Shelling about genetic discrimination in healthcare insurance, and Jacqui Knight from Moths and Butterflies New Zealand Trust about declining numbers of species worldwide.
Louis Macalister talks to Belinda Storey about insurance issues for houses in erosion zones, and the Green Party’s Teanau Tuiono about rocket launches potentially breaching New Zealand’s nuclear-free laws.
Lastly, Christina Huang talks to Adriana Christie about her role overseeing parks and recreation, in a new regular segment with the Waitematā Local Board.
Gibson is calling for a change in how we approach youth mental health In New Zealand. She says that young people need to be involved in this process as they know what works best for them.
Jessica Hopkins started the interview asking Gibson about her research in this area, where she interviewed nearly 400 young people.
Genetic testing is used in healthcare to determine a patient’s risk for some conditions. However some medical professionals have raised concerns about insurers using genetic test results to refuse cover or increase premiums.
Jessica spoke to Professor Andrew Shelling, of the University of Auckland who says Australians can obtain health insurance without fear of genetic discrimination, but New Zealanders who are being proactive about their health by having genetic testing are at risk of being penalised both financially and medically.
Shelling is urging the Government to ban this practice for insurers, and consider this issue in its insurance contract law review.
Recent statistics from the United Kingdom wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation shows the average number of butterflies and moths per count is the lowest they have ever recorded.
Jessica speaks to Jacqui Knight from Moths and Butterflies New Zealand Trust about who says urgent action is needed to save Butterfly and Moth species in Aotearoa.
She started off the interview asking Knight about the trust, and the work they are doing.
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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