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.
This week on the show, producer Charlie speaks to Dr Robert Patman from the University of Otago and Dr Nick Smith from the University of Canterbury about the Russia-Ukraine crisis after Russian military forces have started to place themselves around the Ukraine border.
She also talks to Dr Andrew Chen from the University of Auckland about managing Covid-19 from home following yesterday's record breaking 2522 cases.
On her very first Wire, producer Emilia speaks to the Green Party's Social Development spokesperson, Ricardo Menendez March, about the Green Party's call for an urgent increase in public housing following a report from the Salvation Army that defines the housing crisis as a 'catastrophe'.
Finally, Charlie talks to CEO of Predator Free NZ, Jessi Morgan, and CEO of SAFE NZ, Debra Ashton, about the SPCA's call for cat law reform.
Currently Russia is moving more forces up to it's border with Ukraine, with Western powers concerned that an invasion may ahppen any day now. Dr Robert Patman of the University of Otago discussed with Charlie the current situation of what's happening at the border and why this is occuring. Dr Nick Smith of the University of Cantebury also spoke on the situation looking at past events and how this military move compares.
The Green Party is calling for an urgent increase in public housing following a Salvation Army report which described the current situation as a 'catastrophe'. Emilia spoke with Green Party Social Development spokesperson Ricardo Menendez March about this issue.
This week on our fortnightly chat with Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson, Jessica Hopkins asked about Siren Battles in West Auckland that have been disrupting residents in Te Atatū and Massey.
They also discussed what the Auckland Council is doing to support those who have had their income affected by COVID-19 restrictions.
This week on the show, host Jessica Hopkins speaks to Ella Shepherd from Abortion Rights Aotearoa about the Safe Areas Ammendment Bill.
She also joins Auckland Councillor Shane Henderson for their regular chat. They discussed Siren Battles in West Auckland, support for people who have had their income affected by COVID-19 restrictions, and Celine Dion.
Producer Liam Hansen speaks to Paul Callister from Save our Trains about bringing back the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific Train Lines.
He also chatted to Claire Black from OutLine about increasing calls for a Rainbow Ministry to be set up in Aotearoa.
Back in December, Kiwi Rail announced that same-day passenger services crossing New Zealand such as the Auckland to Wellington Northern Explorer Line and the Picton to Christchurch Coastal Pacific.
Communities around the country have come together to form the Save Our Trains Campaign to push for the continuation of cross-island train lines.
The movement has already seen some success, with KiwiRail reaching out to its supporters with surveys about the Northern Explorer. Liam Hansen chatted with spokesperson Paul Callister about the movement and what’s coming next.
This week the Contraception, Steralisation, and Abortion Legislation Bill passed at its second reading, with a 108-12 result in favour.
Abortion Rights Aotearoa says that both patients and providers of vital healthcare services are being exposed to potential harm from increasing protest action.
Jessica spoke to Media Spokesperson Ella Shepherd, who says that the key issue is protecting people from intimidation and the threat of violence.
Fresh off of Aotearoa banning conversion therapy, the Green Party has launced a petition to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities in the New Zealand.
Green’s Rainbow Spokesperson Dr Elizabeth Kerekere has stressed a lack of a home in the government for these communities, and that quote “A Rainbow Ministry would grow the capacity of the public sector to support, empower, and resource our communities.”
Liam Hansen spoke to Claire Black, the general manager of nationwide rainbow support organisation OutLine Aotearoa about how a ministry could affect the community.
For the final time, Justin spoke with Health Minister Andrew Little on homeless communities under the home isolation scheme, National MP Matt Doocey's youth mental health summit, and making flu vaccines free for more people.
On their weekly chat, Justin and Health Minister Andrew Little talked about how does home isolation work for the homeless community, National MP Matt Doocey's proposal for a youth mental health summit, and free flu vaccines for more people.
International Desk reports on the situation in Ukraine.
Producer Joe Wickins talked to Netsafe's Chief Technology Officer Sean Lyons about cyberbullying, and the Drug Foundation's Chief Executive Sarah Helm on overdosing in New Zealand.
Neighbourhood Watch reports on NSW nurses striking, NT native title holders contesting the territoriy's largest water licence application, and Radio Adelaide finding a new home!
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.
Last week, the government’s annual budget announcement for 2025 was made, detailing how government spending would be allocated over the course of the year and the programs that would receive additional funding.
While an array of programs are set to receive funding increases, critics have alluded to funding gaps in a number of areas, such as: Environmental Conservation, Māori development and Housing, all of which have received some funding boosts while simultaneously seeing cuts in a number of key initiatives.
For our Weekly Catchup with the Green Party, I spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the party’s take on the Budget 2025 announcement.
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