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The Wire

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.

Mobility w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 17 March, 2025

Mobility w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 17 March, 2025 Mobility w/ Global Innovator, Matt Hart: 17 March, 2025, 4.94 MB
Mon 17 Mar 2025

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, and Producer Evie in studio to discuss ‘mobility’ and the power that brings to the individual - and the requirement of an economy to support it.

RSE Guidelines Removal With No Clear Replacement w/ The Mental Health Foundation New Zealand's Shaun Robinson: 17 March, 2025

RSE Guidelines Removal With No Clear Replacement w/ The Mental Health Foundation New Zealand's Shaun Robinson: 17 March, 2025 RSE Guidelines Removal With No Clear Replacement w/ The Mental Health Foundation New Zealand's Shaun Robinson: 17 March, 2025, 11.52 MB
Mon 17 Mar 2025

The government has recently removed Relationships and Sexuality Education, or RSE, guidelines in schools without implementing a clear alternative.

The RSE guidelines were changed in 2020, to better support, and include updates to the the 2007 curriculum for primary and secondary school students, on topics such as the prominence of social media, bullying and cyber-bullying, and consent, in an age-appropriate manner.

With the removal of the 2020 guidelines, many educators are wondering how they adequately cover the topics covered in RSE.

As well as this, concerns have been raised about whether a move like this will impact the mental health of students, especially from minority communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation New Zealand, Shaun Robinson, about the removal of RSE guidelines without the government clearly indicating to an alternative, and the organisations concerns regarding these developments.

They started off by asking him what RSE is.

Winston Peter's Anti-DEI Members Bill w/ The Public Services Association's Fleur Fitzsimons: 17 March, 2025

Winston Peter's anti-DEI Members Bill w/ The Public Services Association's Fleur Fitzsimons: 17 March, 2025 Winston Peter's anti-DEI Members Bill w/ The Public Services Association's Fleur Fitzsimons: 17 March, 2025, 6.71 MB
Mon 17 Mar 2025

As previously discussed, New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, has proposed a new member’s bill to be placed in the ballot, aiming to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, targets in the public sector.

This bill would amend the Public Service Act, which Peters, and NZ First, voted for when in a coalition government with the Labour Party in 2020.

DEI refers to frameworks that aim to equitably represent certain individuals and communities not represented as much as other demographics in the country.

The reception for this bill varies between the parties. Senior National MP, Chris Bishop, says if the bill were to be pulled out of the ballot, that the party would consider the bill, as they believe in “meritocracy,” however, would want a “public service that is reflective of modern New Zealand”.

Opposition Leader from the Labour Party, Chris Hipkins, says he would want a public sector that represents all New Zealanders.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the National Secretary of the Public Service Association, Fleur Fitzsimons, about Peter’s members bill, and how she believes this will impact the public sector.

They started off by asking how DEI targets work regarding the public sector.

The Wire w/ Joel: 17 March, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 17 March, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 17 March, 2025, 114.19 MB
Mon 17 Mar 2025

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about the NZ First Leader, Winston Peter’s anti-DEI members bill, the Infrastructure Investment Summit, and the recent changes regarding Whānau Ora.

For our weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about one of the key school lunch programme providers going into liquidation, NZ First's anti-DEI members bill and the ACT Party’s critique of University of Auckland TeTiriti Course.

Joel spoke to the National Secretary for the Public Services Association, Fleur Fitzsimons, about Winston Peter’s anti-DEI members bill, and how this will affect the public sector.

Joel also spoke to the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation New Zealand, Shaun Robinson, about the government’s removal of RSE guidelines in schools without implementing a clear alternative.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio today to discuss ‘Mobility’ and the power that brings to the individual - and the requirement of an economy to support it.

Whakarongo mai!

Labour’s caucus reshuffle and recent polling w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 13 March, 2025

Labour’s caucus reshuffle and recent polling w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 13 March, 2025 Labour’s caucus reshuffle and recent polling w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 13 March, 2025, 6.38 MB
Thu 13 Mar 2025

Labour has announced a caucus reshuffle, giving the Auckland portfolio to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni.

The party has outlined its intention to focus on winning Auckland back in 2026 after a blue wave swept the city in the 2023 election, unseating several Labour MPs in what were thought to be safe seats.

A recent Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll has put Labour up 2.8 points and would mean the centre-right bloc would not be able to form government.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader and new Auckland spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni about these topics.

International Desk: The building opposition to the Trump administration w/ University of Waikato’s Garritt Van Dyk and Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 13 March, 2025

International Desk: The building opposition to the Trump administration w/ University of Waikato’s Garritt Van Dyk and Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 13 March, 2025. , 24.32 MB
Thu 13 Mar 2025

The United States is seeing a surge in backlash to the Trump administration's policies, particularly those focused on undermining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion domestically and the administration’s foreign policy position on Palestine.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to University of Waikato Senior Lecturer in history Garritt Van Dyk about the history of boycotts and the resurgence of this protest tactic against Trump.

They then spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News for his perspective from the ground on these growing opposition movements, particularly the impact of these movements within Universities.

The Wire w/ Caeden: 13 March, 2025

The Wire w/ Caeden: 13 March, 2025 The Wire w/ Caeden: 13 March, 2025, 106.51 MB
Thu 13 Mar 2025

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about Labour’s caucus reshuffle and the Taxpayers Union-Curia poll.

For International Desk, they spoke to University of Waikato Senior Lecturer Garritt Van Dyk and Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso about the emerging protest movements against the Trump administration in the United States.

For City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about the rise in homelessness in Tamaki, as well as Auckland Council’s recent announcement of an AI digital assistant for customer service support.

Sorcery Related Violence in the Solomon Islands w/ Dr Kerryn Galokale: 12 March 2025

Sorcery Related Violence in the Solomon Islands w/ Dr Kerryn Galokale: 12 March 2025 Sorcery Related Violence in the Solomon Islands w/ Dr Kerryn Galokale: 12 March 2025, 25.68 MB
Wed 12 Mar 2025

Throughout many Pacific island nations, the belief in sorcery and black magic as the cause of disease, death and other forms of misfortune is a major contributor to violence amongst a number of families and communities.

Despite outreach from community leaders, church groups and government officials, many say that sorcery-related violent incidents are increasing in bopth rural and urban areas in countries such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, with many of the victims being women.

Oto spoke to Post-Doctoral Fellow in Pacific Studies Dr Kerryn Sogha Galokale, who is from the Solomon Islands, about the prevalence of sorcery related violence in the west pacific, it’s impacts and what community groups are doing to address it.

Will the United States leave the UN? w/ Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland

Will the United States leave the UN? w/ Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland Will the United States leave the UN? w/ Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, 16.52 MB
Wed 12 Mar 2025

It seems that the United States continues to be a hot topic for many people and journalists following Trump’s inauguration. This is not only because of his intense challenging of the pre-established international order or his strong determination to turn the world into his view, but also with his alliances with prominent billionaires and tech entrepreneurs.

While he has been successful in his establishment of chaos to rouse the public while quietly enacting new policies fundamentally but slowly changing the country, questions arise around his right-hand man, Elon Musk, and his own personal agenda. It seems as though pretending to be a man of the internet and “i am become meme” archetype has not worked out for him, and he has shown his true colours much like other people in great positions of power and money.

Sasha spoke to Chris Ogden, Associate Professor from The University of Auckland about Elon Musk’s comments about the United States leaving the UN, the potential implications and stability of the world order shifting towards a multipolar governance.

The Wire w/ Oto: 12 March, 2025

The Wire w/ Oto: 12 March, 2025 The Wire w/ Oto: 12 March, 2025, 112.78 MB
Wed 12 Mar 2025

For their weekly catch up with the Green Party, Oto spoke to Ricardo Menendez March about Health Minister Simeon Brown’s major overhaul to New Zealand’s public healthcare system, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s favorability falling below Labour Leader Chris Hipkins in the latest Taxpayers’ union Curia poll and The Greens petition calling on the Government to extend visa-free travel to visitors from Pacific Island nations.

He spoke to Dr Sarah Kapeli, A lecturer in the school of psychology at the University of Auckland, about a study she and a team of researchers did on the wellbeing of students from minority communities at the University of Auckland.

And he speak to Dr Kerryn Galokale, a PHD Graduate in Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, about the prevalence of Sorcery Related Violence in the Solomon Islands.

Today, Sasha spoke with Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies at the University of Auckland about the United States potential decision of leaving the United Nations and the implications this may have for global order.

And, to kick off Green Desk for 2025, Producer Leilani speaks to Paul Geraets, New Zealand’s most prolific rammed earth designer and builder, about the benefits and history of these sustainable houses, as well as his related upcoming event for EcoFest 2025 - a month-long celebration of our unique environment and sustainable living across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland!

Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025

Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025 Police and Public Safety w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 1st April, 2025, 18.03 MB
Tue 1 Apr 2025

Last week the Green Party’s Tamatha Paul made comments about police presence in Wellington, particularly how increased police activity made some feel unsafe. She also noted some discriminatory and harmful behaviour from police officers towards Wellington’s homeless population. These comments, presented at a panel hosted by the University of Canterbury’s Greens and Peace Action Ōtautahi, were Paul restating feedback she had received from her constituents in Wellington central. 

The response to Tamatha Paul’s comments was extremely critical from all sides of the political spectrum, involving feedback such as “insane” from prime minister Christopher Luxon, “unwise” and “stupid” from Labour leader Chris Hipkins, and “just weird” from ACT leader David Seymour. The comments and their responses lead to a series of articles across all major New Zealand news networks. 

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about the substance of Tamatha Paul’s comments and whether the seemingly disproportionate reaction is appropriate.

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 1st April, 2025

Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 1st April, 2025 Dear Science w/ Doctor Cushla McGoverin: 1st April, 2025, 32.04 MB
Tue 1 Apr 2025

This week on Dear Science our expert Dr. Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about various April Fools pranks in the world of science, including the 'Sheep Albedo Hypothesis' from here in Aotearoa. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!

Supermarket duopoly developments, Green MP, Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police, and Te Pāti Māori’s calls for mandatory police body cameras w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 31 March, 2025

Supermarket duopoly developments, Green MP, Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police, and Te Pāti Māori’s calls for mandatory police body cameras w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 31 March, 2025 Supermarket duopoly developments, Green MP, Tamatha Paul’s comments about the police, and Te Pāti Māori’s calls for mandatory police body cameras w/ Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp: 31 March, 2025, 6.86 MB
Mon 31 Mar 2025

On Sunday, Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, announced plans to combat the supermarket duopoly between Foodstuffs and Woolworths. This could include breaking-up or restructuring the current chains, with Cabinet also announcing a formal request for information, or RFI, into the matter.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel,  spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about this announcement, and whether she, and the party, thinks this will be enough to address food accessibility in Aotearoa.

We also discussed the comments made by Green MP, Tamatha Paul, about the police, and whether she believes these comments have become sensationalised.

Finally, we discussed the party’s calls for mandatory police body cameras.

But first, they started off by asking Kemp about how the party are feeling about Nicola Willis’ most recent announcements into the supermarket duopoly.

RMA Reforms and Concerns about Health and Police System w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 31 March, 2025

RMA Reforms and Concerns about Health and Police System w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 31 March, 2025 RMA Reforms and Concerns about Health and Police System w/ The ACT Party’s Simon Court: 31 March, 2025, 7.25 MB
Mon 31 Mar 2025

Last week, the government announced its plans for reforming the Resource Management Act, or the RMA, introducing two acts to replace the current RMA. The plan is to bring the two acts before the select committee next year, passing them just before the next election. 

For our weekly catch up News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about this reform, working with the opposition, and the lack of a Treaty clause.

We also talked about concerns that the health and police system in Aotearoa are failing, following an 11-year old being misidentified as a 20-year old by police and being administered antipsychotic drugs.

But first, we touched on the RMA reform.

International Desk: The Atlantic editor-in-chief was accidentally texted war plans by top US security officials w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 27 March, 2025

International Desk: The Atlantic editor-in-chief was accidentally texted war plans by top US security officials w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 27 March, 2025 International Desk: The Atlantic editor-in-chief was accidentally texted war plans by top US security officials w/ Yale Daily News’ Andre Fa’aoso: 27 March, 2025, 11.23 MB
Thu 27 Mar 2025

Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal group chat with top United States security officials who were discussing military plans for strikes on Yemen.

The group chat discussed operational details, and officials, including the Vice President JD Vance, seemed unaware of Goldberg’s presence. 

Jeffrey Goldberg initially left out some of these sensitive details in his article on the group chat but has released more specific information after the Trump administration downplayed the situation and said no classified information was shared.

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about this issue.

Submissions for Auckland Council’s long-term plan, ‘bed tax,’ and discussions around equity in the upcoming election w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 27 March, 2025

Submissions for Auckland Council’s long-term plan, ‘bed tax,’ and discussions around equity in the upcoming election w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 27 March, 2025 Submissions for Auckland Council’s long-term plan, ‘bed tax,’ and discussions around equity in the upcoming election w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 27 March, 2025, 11.4 MB
Thu 27 Mar 2025

Public submissions regarding Auckland Council’s annual plan from 2025/2026 are set to close tomorrow at 11:59pm, with the plan set to take place from the 1st of July.

These submissions give the public the opportunity to provide feedback on proposals from the coming year.

News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about this, and the council’s ‘bed tax’.

They also spoke about the recent discussions regarding ensuring fair and equal representation in the upcoming 2025 local election.

NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025

NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025 NZ First’s “war on woke”, proposed RMA reforms, and New Zealand’s support for Palestine w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 March, 2025, 8.99 MB
Thu 27 Mar 2025

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters gave a “State of the Nation” speech last weekend where he strongly criticised Labour and announced his party was declaring a “war on woke.”

The government has announced a new replacement for the Resource Management Act, looking to pass it before the next election.

And Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker has criticised the government for not condemning Israel in the context of recent military action and the blocking of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about all of these topics. 

The Green Desk: The Street Art Bike Challenge w/ Brent Bielby: 26 March, 2025

The Green Desk: The Street Art Bike Challenge w/ Brent Bielby: 26 March, 2025 The Green Desk: The Street Art Bike Challenge w/ Brent Bielby: 26 March, 2025, 8.03 MB
Wed 26 Mar 2025

Ever wondered what it would be like to bike in an Art Gallery? Well now you can, for the city is your gallery. In collaboration with EcoFest 2025 and various New Zealand artists, Bike Hubs have set up a Street Art Bike Challenge. Now, anyone can ride around the city, discover amazing works of art and win great prizes. 

This week, Green Desk Producer Liam speaks to Brent Bielby, manager of EcoMatters’ Bike Hubs, a community project aimed at encouraging more people to take up cycling. He explains the goal behind the challenge, as well as how cycling can contribute to a healthy lifestyle and provide a source of freedom and fun.  

You can take part in this challenge yourself. All you need to do is take out your bike, pedal over to the artworks, and upload a photo of you and your bike. The challenge will run until the 22nd of April, and you can find a map of all the locations and trails on the EcoMatters website.

Get Action! Protecting Kāwhia Harbour w/ John Forbes from Te Taiao o Kawhia Moana: 26 March, 2025

Get Action! Protecting Kāwhia Harbour w/ John Forbes from Te Taiao o Kawhia Moana: 26 March, 2025 Get Action! Protecting Kāwhia Harbour w/ John Forbes from Te Taiao o Kawhia Moana: 26 March, 2025, 22.41 MB
Wed 26 Mar 2025

A petition was launched by Te Taiao o Kawhia Moana, a group dedicated to the protection and conservation of the Kāwhia harbour, calling on the Ōtorohanga District Council to remove vehicle access from vulnerable areas of the inner harbour and to Support the development of new alternative access infrastructure.

The group says that local taonga species and ecosystems are being put at risk by current vehicle access and that The proposed Ocean Beach access way would provide a sustainable alternative that balances community access needs with environmental protection.

For this week’s Gert Action! Oto spoke to John Forbes, founding Chair of Te Taiao o Kāwhia Moana, to discuss the petition and the importance of protecting the harbour.

If you're interested in signing this petition, you can find it here:

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 26 March, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 26 March, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March: 26 March, 2025, 25.71 MB
Wed 26 Mar 2025

Just two days ago, the government announced a complete overhaul of the Resource Management Act. 

The RMA as it is would be dismantled and then split into two acts; a planning act regulating the use and development of land, and a Natural Environment Act focusing on the use and protection of land, air, water and other natural resources.

Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court said that the reforms were intended to streamline development more efficiently while also protecting the environment.

The week before, the Greens issued a call for the compassionate release of 77-year old inmate Dean Wickliffe, who is currently on a hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility after being arrested for being made houseless in violation of his probation conditions.

And Green Party Co-Leader Chloe Swarbrick made a renewed call to the government calling on them to support a members bill of hers that would sanction Israel for their occupation of the Palestinian territories.

For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez March for the party’s take on all of these issues.