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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.

How Long Covid Affects Children w/ Long Covid Kids' Larissa Hockey: July 8, 2025

How Long Covid Affects Children w/ Long Covid Kids' Larissa Hockey: July 8, 2025 How Long Covid Affects Children w/ Long Covid Kids' Larissa Hockey: July 8, 2025, 10.79 MB
Tue 8 Jul 2025

A recent study from the University of Otago shows that more than twenty percent of children in Aotearoa who’ve been infected by Covid-19 still suffer persistent, ongoing symptoms.

Producer Faith spoke to Larisa Hockey from the Long Covid Kids organisation about how long covid affects children, and how children are specifically at risk.

The Stigma Around Medicinal Cannabis Use w/ Cannabis Clinic NZ's Dr. Waseem Alzaher: July 8, 2025

The Stigma Around Medicinal Cannabis Use w/ Cannabis Clinic NZ's Dr. Waseem Alzaher: July 8, 2025 Waseem Alzaher: July 8, 2025, 18.29 MB
Tue 8 Jul 2025

New research shows that two thirds of Kiwis believe there is still a stigma around medicinal cannabis usage, and that users are still subject to negative stereotypes.

Producer Faith spoke to Dr. Waseem Alzaher from Cannabis Clinic NZ about the stigma, and what steps need to be taken to normalise its usage.

The Wire w/ Joel: 7 July, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 7 July, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 7 July, 2025, 56.16 MB
Mon 7 Jul 2025

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Cameron Luxton about the government’s expectations for City and Regional Deals, and Youth Parliament.

Joel speaks to the Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young, about proposed changes to increasing the penalties for shoplifting and trespassing from businesses.

And Producer Samantha speaks to Caroline Perry Director of the Brake road safety charity about the government reverseing lower speed limits implemented under Labour and the potential danger this poses to children.

Whakarongo mai!

Stricter Penalties for Shoplifting and Trespassing w/ Retail NZ's Carolyn Young: 7 July, 2025

Stricter Penalties for Shoplifting and Trespassing w/ Retail NZ's Carolyn Young: 7 July, 2025 Stricter Penalties for Shoplifting and Trespassing w/ Retail NZ's Carolyn Young: 7 July, 2025, 10.74 MB
Mon 7 Jul 2025

Recently, Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, and Associate Justice Minister, Nicole McKee, have announced tougher changes to those caught shoplifting, and those being trespassed.

Of the proposed changes to shoplifting include instant fines, the maximum punishment for theft being increased.

Of the proposed changes to trespassing include those being trespassed at one location of a business with multiple locations, such as a franchise, to be trespassed from multiple locations, increasing the maximum fine for someone refusing to leave, and increasing fines for anyone refusing to give out personal information.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young, about these potential changes, and what this could mean for retailers, and businesses as whole.

Government criticised for potentially putting children in danger with lower speed limit reversal w/ NZ Director of Brake, the road safety charity, Caroline Perry: 7th July, 2025

Government criticised for potentially putting children in danger with lower speed limit reversal w/ NZ Director of Brake, the road safety charity, Caroline Perry: 7th July, 2025 Government criticised for potentially putting children in danger with lower speed limit reversal w/ NZ Director of Brake, the road safety charity, Caroline Perry: 7th July, 2025, 25.33 MB
Mon 7 Jul 2025

Under the previous Labour government speed limits were lowered nationwide, however the current National lead coaltion goverment these changes have been reveresed.

This reversal was done without community or local coucil approval and has been criticised for potentially putting children in danger, particularly around schoolds. Children are at much higher risk or injury and death in vehicular collisions than adults, and that risk rises more and more as speeds increase.

To discuss these changes Producer Samantha spoke to NZ Director of Brake, Caroline Perry, about the potential danger to children that these changes pose.

International Desk: The Future of International Order w/ Britain Palestine Project's Dr Brian Brivati: 3 July, 2025

International Desk: The Future of International Order w/ Britain Palestine Project's Dr Brian Brivati: 3 July, 2025 International Desk: The Future of International Order w/ Britain Palestine Project's Dr Brian Brivati: 3 July, 2025, 21.24 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

Following Israel and the US’ large-scale attacks on Iran, and Israel’s continued war on Gaza, this has raised the question on the future of international order.

News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to the Executive Director of the Britain Palestine Project, Dr Brian Brivati, about this turning point in international order, and what we should expect heading forward.

Crown’s disestablishment of Te Pūkotahitanga w/ Chair of Coalition for Safety of Women and Children, Leonie Morris: 3 July, 2025

Crown’s disestablishment of Te Pūkotahitanga w/ Chair of Coalition for Safety of Women and Children, Leonie Morris: 3 July, 2025 Crown’s disestablishment of Te Pūkotahitanga w/ Chair of Coalition for Safety of Women and Children, Leonie Morris: 3 July, 2025 , 16.5 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

As family violence service provider Shine amps up their July ‘light it orange’ campaign, the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children have released a statement condemning the decision by Minister for Children and for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour to disestablish Te Pūkotahitanga.

This collective is a Māori partnership body for the elimination of family violence and sexual violence, which gives Māori leaders a critical voice at the decision making table. 

In their statement they said the decision “is disrespectful to both Māori and non-Māori, and furthers the systematic erosion of Tiriti-based governance, entrenching distrust of the Crown across all communities.”

Following a report released earlier this week by the National Mortality Review Committee which found that Maaori women are disproportionately impacted by family and sexual violence, experts in this field have stressed the need for a stronger multi-agency response that is effective, proactive and includes crisis support.

There have also been calls for a national conversation that “treats gender-based violence as a public, not private, issue”, and highlights the issue of femicide in Aotearoa.

To discuss this topic further, Producer Sara spoke with Chair of the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children, Leonie Morris, about what the disestablishment of Te Pūkotahitanga means for mahi and outcomes relating to Māori

The Wire w/ Joel: 3 July, 2025

The Wire w/ Joel: 3 July, 2025 The Wire w/ Joel: 3 July, 2025, 85.63 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

For our weekly catch up with the Labour Party, Producer Sara speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the ‘censorship’ of youth MPs in Parliament this week, as well as some of the financial changes that came into effect on July 1st

For City Counselling, Sara speaks to Councillor Julie Fairey about the government’s idea to scrap regional councils, as well as their request for the approval of up to fifteen storey buildings around CRL stations.

For International Desk, News and Editorial Director, Joel, speaks to the Executive Director of the Britain Palestine Project, Dr Brian Brivati, about the potential shift in international order, looking at Israel’s and the US’ recent attacks on Iran, and Israel’s continued war on Gaza.

And Sara speaks to the Chair for the Safety of Women and Children Leonie Morris, about the disestablishment of Te Pūkotahitanga.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March: 2 July, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March: 2 July, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March: 2 July, 2025, 22.88 MB
Wed 2 Jul 2025

Last week it was revealed that the government had withdrawn New Zealand from the Beyond Oil and Gas alliance, an international coalition dedicated to phasing out the use of fossil fuels.

This was confirmed by climate change minister Simon Watts, who said that the exit from the alliance was prompted by the government’s repeal of the oil and gas exploration ban.

In that same week, Immigration minister Erica Stanford recently announced that the government was looking to electronically monitor some asylum seekers and migrants, in preparation for mass arrivals of asylum seekers by plane.

And, just recently, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith introduced a number of sentencing reforms that included capping the discounts judges can give to offenders and treating one-punch attacks as separate offenses.

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Oto spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez March to get the party’s take on all of these issue.

Healthy Homes Standards Have Arrived w/ Bill McKay: July 02, 2025

Healthy Homes Standards Have Arrived W/ Bill McKay: July 02, 2025 Healthy Homes Standards Have Arrived W/ Bill McKay: July 02, 2025, 16.82 MB
Wed 2 Jul 2025

As of the 1st of July 2025, the Healthy Homes standards have kicked in. This requires all rental properties to meet the regulations, designed to improve renters’ health, by preventing damp, mouldy and cold conditions.

Now that the final deadline has passed, landlords who fail to comply with the standards could face fines of up to $7200. The only problem is who might be regulating them…

To break down what this means for renters, landlords and the wider housing sector, Producer Max spoke to Bill McKay, from the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

Road safety in light of Julie Fairey’s recent close call & Auckland’s State of the City report shows we’re “falling behind” w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 17 July, 2025

Road safety in light of Julie Fairey’s recent close call & Auckland’s State of the City report shows we’re “falling behind” w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 17 July, 2025 Road safety in light of Julie Fairey’s recent close call & Auckland’s State of the City report shows we’re “falling behind” w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 17 July, 2025, 34.04 MB
Thu 17 Jul 2025

On the 25th of June, our regular City Counselling guest Julie Fairey was involved in a road collision while she was biking in her local area. Fairey wrote about the close call, which she says could have been a lot worse, in a piece published in the Spinoff, as a reinvigoration of her previous advocacy around the need for road safety measures that improve how safely and efficiently Aucklanders can get around the city.

As well, this week we’ve seen the release of the State of the City report, which compares Auckland on metrics including opportunity and prosperity, culture and experience, place and connectivity, innovation and knowledge, and resilience and sustainability.
The report found that we are ‘falling behind’ other cities, with the biggest emphasis placed on our poor economic productivity in comparison with similar locations.

Producer Sara spoke with Julie Fairey about both of these topics, firstly by asking her what motivated her to write about her recent collision.

International Desk: The Erosion of Democracy in Georgia w/ University of Essex’s Natasha Lindstaedt: 17 July, 2025

International Desk: The Erosion of Democracy in Georgia w/ University of Essex’s Natasha Lindstaedt: 17 July, 2025 International Desk: The Erosion of Democracy in Georgia w/ University of Essex’s Natasha Lindstaedt: 17 July, 2025, 17.5 MB
Thu 17 Jul 2025

Once a beacon of democratic progress, Georgia is at risk of sliding into authoritarianism, particularly due to Russian influence. 

Six opposition leaders face criminal charges, and the major opposition parties have been banned, while “Georgia Dream”, the political party in power, faces allegations of corruption and voter fraud.

However, the party faces increasing opposition within Georgia, including mass protests over their pro-Russia laws. 

82% of Georgians feel their country is in crisis, with 78% directly citing the Georgian Dream political party as the cause. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke to Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Essex, about Georgia’s anti-democratic crackdowns and public response.

Re-establishing Polytechnics and Te Pāti Māori's Thoughts on MP Peeni Henare in Tāmaki Makaurau By-election w/ Labour's Shanon Halbert: 17 July, 2025

Re-establishing Polytechnics and Te Pāti Māori's Thoughts on MP Peeni Henare in Tāmaki Makaurau By-election w/ Labour's Shanon Halbert: 17 July, 2025 Re-establishing Polytechnics and Te Pāti Māori's Thoughts on MP Peeni Henare in Tāmaki Makaurau By-election w/ Labour's Shanon Halbert: 17 July, 2025, 13.65 MB
Thu 17 Jul 2025

The government has announced that Te Pūkenga is set to return to ‘regional governance,’ re-establishing 10 polytechnics that were merged under the previous Labour-led government.

In 2020 under the previous Labour-led government, 16 polytechnics and nine industry training organisations were merged into the mega-institute Te Pūkenga, as a “head office”. Despite this, the polytechnics were allowed to maintain their unique images and continue operating.

Vocational Education Minister, Penny Simmonds, announced the move, to establish a vocational education system that is “locally led, regionally responsible, and future-focused”.

The move has faced backlash. The Tertiary Education Union’s national secretary, Sandra Grey, says the move would be a disaster for regional education and that the sector is being treated as a “political football”.

For our weekly catchup with the Labour Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Shanon Halbert, about this move from the government.

They also discussed Te Pāti Māori members expressing concerns over Labour’s choice of running MP Peeni Henare in the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election.

Te Pāti Māori media liaison, Kiri Tamihere-Waititi, says a vote for Henare would be “wasted,” as Henare already has a seat in Parliament. She has called for people to vote for Te Pāti Māori’s candidate, Oriini Kaipara, so that there would be two Tāmaki Makaurau-based Māori MPs in Parliament.

But first, they discussed vocational education.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 16 July, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 16 July, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 16 July, 2025, 15.78 MB
Wed 16 Jul 2025

Last week, The Green party issued a statement calling on the government to drop the Regulatory Standards Bill after the bill went through hearings at the select committee, with only 19 out of the total 208 submissions heard supporting the Bill.

This week, the government confirmed their plan to re-establish 10 polytechnics that had been merged into Te Pūkenga under the previous labour government as part of the government’s plan to gradually disestablish the wider institution.

And the Greens recently announced that they wouldn’t be standing any candidates of their own in the Tāmaki Makaurau by-elections, which are happening in September this year.

For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, News and Editorial Director, Joel, spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March to get the party’s take on all of these issues.

Strikes in the Health Sector and funding planning w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 15th July, 2025

Strikes in the Health Sector and funding planning w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 15th July, 2025 Strikes in the Health Sector and funding planning w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 15th July, 2025, 13.03 MB
Tue 15 Jul 2025

Last week Pharmac workers announced their first-ever strike over cuts to annual pay increases and deteriorating work conditions. Also last week, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation announced plans to strike on July 30th. The nurses' strike follows concerns around understaffing and overcrowding, with many staff members facing burnout. 

These two issues have been attributed to similar causes - not enough funding in the health sector, which is forcing redundancies, increased hours, and understaffing. While the government has committed extra funding to the health sector in the last two budgets, critics say the funding is inadequate and barely catching up to existing deficits. 

In our weekly catch-up with the National party, Wire host Castor asked Tom Rutherford about health funding and the government’s plans moving forward in light of the two recently announced health workers' strikes.

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 15th July, 2025

Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 15th July, 2025 Dear Science w/ Professor Allan Blackman: 15th July, 2025, 22.4 MB
Tue 15 Jul 2025

This week on Dear Science, our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about lightning created from peeling tape, talcum powder causing cancer, and a new type of nitrogen

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

ACT 2025 Rally, James Lindsay as Keynote Speaker, and Public Hearings on Covid-19 Response w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 14 July, 2025

ACT 2025 Rally, James Lindsay as Keynote Speaker, and Public Hearings on Covid-19 Response w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 14 July, 2025 ACT 2025 Rally, James Lindsay as Keynote Speaker, and Public Hearings on Covid-19 Response w/ the ACT Party’s Simon Court: 14 July, 2025, 21.13 MB
Mon 14 Jul 2025

Yesterday, the ACT Party held their annual rally, being called the “Free and Equal Rally”.

Notably, US author, James Lindsay, was a keynote speaker at the event.

Lindsay is the author of ‘Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race, Gender, and Identity—and Why This Harms Everybody’ - among other titles, such as ‘Race Marxism: The Truth About Critical Race Theory and Praxis’ and ‘The Queering of the American Child: How a New School Religious Cult Poisons the Minds and Bodies of Normal Kids’.

Party Leader, David Seymour, says Lindsay is a “prominent advocate for free speech”. Prior to the event, a spokesperson for the party said Lindsay would discuss “reclaiming liberalism in an age of extremes”.

For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about the rally, why the party chose Lindsay as a keynote speaker, and we address some of the concerns with Lindsay’s previous comments.

They also discussed the first public hearings into the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the former government’s Covid-19 response, and what to expect heading into the next hearings in Wellington next month.

But first, they discussed ACT’s 2025 “Free and Equal” Rally.

Council body reforms and the state of homelessness in Auckland w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 10 July, 2025

Council body reforms and the state of homelessness in Auckland w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 10 July, 2025 Council body reforms and the state of homelessness in Auckland w/ Councillor Shane Henderson: 10 July, 2025, 19.27 MB
Thu 10 Jul 2025

This month, a number of council body reforms have come into effect in the Auckland Council, fulfilling Mayor Wayne Brown’s promise to address issues and implement community feedback into the council’s format.

The three new divisions in the Auckland Council to improve organisation include the Auckland Urban Development Office, the  Property Department, and an Economic Development Office, each of which are intended to make decision making more effective and accessible to the public.

As well, with the persisting cold temperatures and rainy weather hitting Auckland this Winter, I wanted to discuss the topic of homelessness in Auckland’s city centre, and to what extent the council is working to support those rough sleeping in the CBD

International Desk: Donald Trump’s ‘Big, beautiful’ Mega-Bill w/ Boise State University’s Charlie Hunt: 10 July, 2025

International Desk: Donald Trump’s ‘Big, beautiful’ Mega-Bill w/ Boise State University’s Charlie Hunt: 10 July, 2025 International Desk: Donald Trump’s ‘Big, beautiful’ Mega-Bill w/ Boise State University’s Charlie Hunt: 10 July, 2025, 12.56 MB
Thu 10 Jul 2025

United States President Donald Trump’s mega-spending bill passed its final vote in the House of Representatives and is now set to become law.

Despite its controversy and universal opposition from the Democrats, the bill has been supported by the vast majority of Republicans.

For International Desk, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Associate Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, Charlie Hunt, about the bill and Republican support.

Phase Two of The Covid-19 Inquiry and Advisory Group Recommendations on Climate Adaptation Legislation w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 10 July, 2025

Phase Two of The Covid-19 Inquiry and Advisory Group Recommendations on Climate Adaptation Legislation w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 10 July, 2025 Phase Two of The Covid-19 Inquiry and Advisory Group Recommendations on Climate Adaptation Legislation w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 10 July, 2025, 15.27 MB
Thu 10 Jul 2025

Public hearings as part of phase two of the Royal Commission into COVID-19 took place in Auckland this week.

The second phase of the inquiry has a stronger focus on lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and the impact of the Covid-19 response on business and the economy.

And yesterday, an independent reference group set up by the Ministry of Environment shared their recommendations for climate adaptation legislation.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Arena Williams about both of these topics.