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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.

Meta, AI, and copyright violations w/ the University of Auckland's Joshua Yuvaraj: 30 June, 2025

Meta, AI, and copyright violations w/ the University of Auckland's Joshua Yuvaraj: 30 June, 2025 Meta, AI, and copyright violations w/ the University of Auckland's Joshua Yuvaraj: 30 June, 2025 , 11.3 MB
Mon 30 Jun 2025

Recently, Meta, the company that owns Facebook, has won a copyright case against 13 authors over the unlicensed use of their work to train Meta’s Llama AI models.

The case, referred to as Kadrey v. Meta, resulting in US District Court judge Vince Chhabria, ruling that Meta did not violate copyright law.

As this case is a first of it’s kind as AI becomes more prominent across the globe, this has raised the question of the grey area between copyright infringements and the use of AI.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to Joshua Yuvaraj, a Senior Law Lecturer at the University of Auckland, about this case, and what this ruling means for the future copyright claims not only internationally, but also here in Aotearoa as well.

Concerns with The Game Animal (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill passing first reading w/ Forest and Bird's Nicky Snoyink: 30 June, 2025

Concerns with The Game Animal (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill passing first reading w/ Forest and Bird's Nicky Snoyink: 30 June, 2025 Concerns with The Game Animal (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill passing first reading w/ Forest and Bird's Nicky Snoyink: 30 June, 2025, 14.58 MB
Mon 30 Jun 2025

Recently new legislation, The Game Animal (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill, has passed its first reading in parliament which would allow deer and tahr into our New Zealand’s national parks after being reclassified as special herds.

Aoetearoa does not have any indigenous mammals, and its ecosystems are not developed for their sudden introduction into national parks. This has lead to pests such as possums and rats doing untold damage to our natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

This bill has been criticised as dangerous to our environment and native animals.

Producer Sam spoke to the Regional Conservation Manager at Forest and Bird, Nicky Snoyink, about the potential dangers of such legislation.

Healthy Homes Standards coming into effect w/ the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's Bob Hancox: 30 June, 2025

Healthy Homes Standards coming into effect w/ the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's Bob Hancox: 30 June, 2025 Healthy Homes Standards coming into effect w/ the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's Bob Hancox: 30 June, 2025, 5.43 MB
Mon 30 Jun 2025

From tomorrow onwards, the Healthy Homes Standards will come into effect.

The guidelines require landlords to meet minimum standards of heating, insulation, ventilation, among other things; a law that was signed into effect in 2019.

Despite this, many are concerned that landlords can ‘self-confirm’ they meet these standards without external scrutiny.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Medical Director of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, Bob Hancox about these guidelines, and how the organisation are feeling about the standards heading into tomorrow.

International Desk: The Zoh-mentum behind Zohran Mamdani’s New York City Democratic Primary Win w/ 95bFM Reporter Sanat Singh: 26 June, 2025

International Desk: The Zoh-mentum behind Zohran Mamdani’s New York City Democratic Primary Win w/ 95bFM Reporter Sanat Singh: 26 June, 2025 International Desk: The Zoh-mentum behind Zohran Mamdani’s New York City Democratic Primary Win w/ 95bFM Reporter Sanat Singh: 26 June, 2025, 15.23 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

Zohran Mamdani has all but won the Democratic Primary in New York City after key competitor Andrew Cuomo conceded the race. 

Mamdani will now be the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor.

His campaign was built on cost-of-living, where Mamdani presented himself as an authentic, Democratic Socialist, grassroots campaign leader.

Wire Host Caeden spoke to 95bFM reporter and South Asia correspondent Sanat Singh about Momdani’s win, what this means for the communities he represents, and where to from here.

Shane Jones’s Ngāpuhi Settlement Claim w/ the University of Auckland's Margaret Mutu: 25 June, 2025

Shane Jones’s Ngāpuhi Settlement Claim w/ the University of Auckland's Margaret Mutu: 25 June, 2025 Shane Jones’s Ngāpuhi Settlement Claim w/ the University of Auckland's Margaret Mutu: 25 June, 2025, 20.99 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

NZ First MP Shane Jones recently announced that he’d be drafting a member's bill to force Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement.

Under the proposal, hapū would be prevented from negotiating separate commercial redresses, and any reference to hapū sovereignty would be removed from the settlement terms.

Professor of Māori studies at the University of Auckland, Margaret Mutu, said that, while the bill’s announcement wasn’t uncharacteristic of the Crown or Shane Jones’s approach to treaty settlements, attempts to force Ngāpuhi into a single settlement claim would be met with fierce opposition, by Ngāpuhi, northland hapū and Iwi all across the Motu.

Destiny Church protest demonstrates hostile intolerance for non-Christian groups w/ far-right and extremism expert Byron C Clark: 26 June, 2025

Destiny Church protest demonstrates hostile intolerance for non-Christian groups w/ far-right and extremism expert Byron C Clark: 26 June, 2025 Destiny Church protest demonstrates hostile intolerance for non-Christian groups w/ far-right and extremism expert Byron C Clark: 26 June, 2025, 20.52 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

On Saturday, Destiny Church held a protest in the Auckland CBD under the slogan “no immigration without assimilation”, denouncing non-Christian religions and other groups in Aotearoa.

The demonstration, which Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki described as a “lawful, peaceful protest”, involved the destruction and burning of flags including the Palestinian flag and the Rainbow Pride flag.

Leaders from a collection of ethnic community groups have called for the toughening of hate speech laws in response to the intolerance displayed at this protest action, which political figures like Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and Police Minister Mark Mitchell condemned as “unkiwi”, and “vile rhetoric and behaviour”.

Seeking to dive deeper into the issue of extremism and hostility towards diverse cultures in New Zealand, I spoke with far right and alt-right extremism expert Byron Clark about the protest and the existence of these groups in Aotearoa.

Producer Sara began the interview by asking Clark to explain the kind of ideologies that were on display at the protest.

Nuclear proliferation in the Middle East in the context of recent tensions between Israel and Iran w/ University of Auckland International and Political Relations doctoral student Tom Wilkinson: 26 June, 2025

Nuclear proliferation in the Middle East in the context of recent tensions between Israel and Iran w/ University of Auckland International and Political Relations doctoral student Tom Wilkinson: 26 June, 2025 Nuclear proliferation in the Middle East in the context of recent tensions between Israel and Iran w/ University of Auckland International and Political Relations doctoral student Tom Wilkinson: 26 June, 2025, 27.86 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

In light of recent tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the involvement of global superpower the United States, academics have raised concerns about nuclear proliferation and its consequences in the Middle East as well as on a global stage. 

As the need for nuclear deterrence is critical, the latest exchange of attacks between involved parties risks escalating conflict in the region and presents an urgent challenge for diplomatic relationships to diffuse the situation.

Producer Sara spoke to University of Auckland International and Political Relations doctoral student Tom Wilkinson about this topic, including the risk of nuclear proliferation in the region.

She began by asking him to explain the recent events between Israel and Iran in the broader context of global militarisation and history of nuclear armament.

Regulatory Standards Bill, Destiny Church, and the Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll on Cook Islands Citizenship w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 26 June, 2025

Regulatory Standards Bill, Destiny Church, and the Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll on Cook Islands Citizenship w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 26 June, 2025 Regulatory Standards Bill, Destiny Church, and the Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll on Cook Islands Citizenship w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 26 June, 2025, 14.72 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

A reported 131,000 submissions were made on the Regulatory Standards Bill.

The Bill, proposed by the ACT party, includes a set of principles outlining “responsible regulation.” Notably, it does not include any mention of either version of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Last weekend, hundreds of Destiny Church members marched on Queen Street in a rally that they called “in defence of faith, flag, and family.”

And the Labour Party has criticised the framing of a poll question by the Taxpayers Union/Curia on whether or not Cook Islanders should retain automatic New Zealand citizenship. 

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

The Wire w/ Caeden: 26 June, 2025

The Wire w/ Caeden: 26 June, 2025 The Wire w/ Caeden: 26 June, 2025, 85.38 MB
Thu 26 Jun 2025

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the Regulatory Standards Bill, last weekend's Destiny Church protest, and the Taxpayers Union-Curia Poll on Cook Islands Citizenship.

For International Desk, they spoke to 95bFM reporter Sanat Singh about Zohran Mamdani’s all-but-confirmed primary win that has made him the Democratic nominee for the New York City mayoral race.

For this week’s City Counselling, Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about the council’s emergency preparedness plans for the disabled community, and the proposals for flood mitigation at the Takapuna Golf Course

She also spoke with far-right extremism expert Byron Clark about last weekend’s Destiny Church protest

Finally, she spoke with University of Auckland doctoral student Tom Wilkinson about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, in light of tensions between Israel and Iran.

GP’s to Diagnose and Treat ADHD w/ the Psychology Group's Anna Elders: 25 June, 2025

GP’s to Diagnose and Treat ADHD w/ the Psychology Group's Anna Elders: 25 June, 2025 GP’s to Diagnose and Treat ADHD w/ the Psychology Group's Anna Elders: 25 June, 2025, 11.29 MB
Wed 25 Jun 2025

From February 2026, GP’s and nurse practitioners in Aotearoa will be able to start medical treatments, for adults with ADHD.

It’s a move that could drastically reduce long wait times, while improving access to care. Mental health experts, say the change is a big step forward for adults in New Zealand, who are particularly vulnerable to falling through administration gaps.

Anna Elders, is a mental health nurse practitioner and a specialist in ADHD. Producer Max spoke with Anna to talk about what the change means, and why it could change the way primary care supports mental health, in Aotearoa.

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

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.

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 9 July, 2025

Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 9 July, 2025 Weekly Catchup w/ The Green Party: 9 July, 2025, 19.59 MB
Wed 9 Jul 2025

Recently, a study was conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton which uncovered a shift in the circulation of the Southern Ocean.

The study showed that the shift would draw up more salt water from the deep ocean, subsequently accelerating the loss of ice in the Antarctic and leading to an increase of sea levels and global heating.

The week before, the government allowed the terrorist designation given to the far-right ‘Proud Boys’ group to expire, effectively decriminalising the act of funding or openly supporting the group here in Aotearoa.

And, just yesterday Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed a number of changes to Family Boost which she said would help families with the cost of living.

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

Get Action! Restore The Southerner Train w/ Dave Macpherson - Save our Trains Southern: 9 July, 2025

Get Action! Restore The Southerner Train w/ Dave Macpherson - Save our Trains Southern: 9 July, 2025 Get Action! Restore The Southerner Train w/ Dave Macpherson - Save our Trains Southern: 9 July, 2025, 17.86 MB
Wed 9 Jul 2025

The Southerner was a passenger express train in the South Island running between Christchurch and Invercargill from 1970 to 2002.

The train was eventually closed due a decline in passenger numbers and subsidies, although it was briefly revived in May this year for four days as part of a tourist experience.

Recently, a group of campaigners from Save our Trains launched a petition calling on the government to restore the Southerner train route as a more accessible form of travel for South Islanders.

Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with Dave Macpherson from Save Our Train - Southern, to discuss his petition and why the Southerner should be restored.

The Regulatory Standards Bill in Select Committee w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 8th July, 2025

The Regulatory Standards Bill in Select Committee w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 8th July, 2025 The Regulatory Standards Bill in Select Committee w/ the National Party’s Tom Rutherford: 8th July, 2025, 13.59 MB
Tue 8 Jul 2025

Hearings on the regulatory standards bill are currently underway, with around 23,000 total submissions both written and oral. Early analysis of the submissions estimated 88% percent are in opposition, while only 0.3% are in support. 

The bill has been pushed by Minister for Regulation and ACT Party leader David Seymour, who says it should support the government to reduce regulation and ensure the protection of individual rights and private property. The bill has been criticised for not including clauses around Te Tiriti o Waitangi or environmental protections. It has also been criticised for potentially undemocratic elements, placing large amounts of control in the hands of the unelected Ministry for Regulation.

In our weekly catch-up with the National party, Wire host Castor asked Tom Rutherford about the regulatory standards bill in light of the select committee hearings and new criticisms.

Dear Science w/ Daniel Thomas: 8th July, 2025

Dear Science w/ Daniel Thomas: 8th July, 2025 Dear Science w/ Daniel Thomas: 8th July, 2025, 15.73 MB
Tue 8 Jul 2025

This week on Dear Science, our expert, Daniel Thomas chatted with us about rice arriving in the Pacific, Aotearoa's native forests sinking carbon, and orcas using seaweed to groom themselves. 

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

Government's expectations for City and Regional, Youth Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton: 7 July, 2025

Government's expectations for City and Regional, Youth Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton: 7 July, 2025 Government's expectations for City and Regional, Youth Parliament w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton: 7 July, 2025, 29.28 MB
Mon 7 Jul 2025

Recently, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mayors of Auckland, Otago, and Western Bay of Plenty Councils over the government’s expectations of City and Regional Deals. These deals aim to tighten the partnership between central and local governments.

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to MP Cameron Luxton about what to expect heading forward regarding the relationship between local, regional, and central government.

They also discussed last week's Youth Parliament.

Youth Parliament provides the opportunity for 143 rangatahi aged 16-to-24 as Youth MPs, representing MPs across the political spectrum, and Youth Press Gallery members, to understand the country’s political processes, understand how government works, and replicate the Parliamentary process.

Youth MPs had previously accused event organisers of ‘censoring’ their speeches. This follows the MPs being asked to remove elements of their speeches that were critical of government policies, such as the Treaty Principles Bill and pay equity.

However, The Ministry of Youth Development has come out saying the way they communicated their wishes with Youth MPs could have been clearer and more concise. The general manager of the Ministry, John Robertson, says reviewing speeches and suggesting changes was a part of the process, but these recommendations are not enforced.

They also spoke to Luxton about these accusations, and whether they are tantamount to censorship.

Finally, they discussed calls by over half of the Youth MPs represented in this year's Youth Parliament, from across the political spectrum, renewing calls for the voting age to be lowered, to allow 16-to-17-year-olds the right to vote.

5 ACT Youth MPs, including the Youth MP representing Cameron Luxton, Fletcher Brown, had signed a letter calling for the voting age to be reduced.

This follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that found the current voting age is unjustified age discrimination and goes against the Human Rights Act 1993.

They also discussed these renewed calls to lower the voting age.

Censorship of Youth MPs in Parliament and new changes coming into effect July 1 including to Kiwisaver scheme and benefits w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 July, 2025

Censorship of Youth MPs in Parliament and new changes coming into effect July 1 including to Kiwisaver scheme and benefits w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 July, 2025 Censorship of Youth MPs in Parliament and new changes coming into effect July 1 including to Kiwisaver scheme and benefits w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 3 July, 2025, 22.32 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

As the youth parliament is set to take place this week, a number of youth MPs have spoken out claiming they have been asked to change or remove elements of their speeches which criticise certain political figures or current topics like environmental action, pay equity and the treaty principles bill. 

Youth Organisation Gen Z Aotearoa founder Nate Wilbourne was asked to edit parts of his speech calling out Ministers Shane Jones, Tama Potaka and Penny Simmonds on their role in environmental destruction. 
He said “When your voices are edited to remove criticism, when ministers are shielded from being named, when we're told that our lived experiences are too political, that is not neutrality – that is protection of the status quo.”

As well this week, on July 1st a number of changes came into effect including the government’s Kiwisaver contributions and eligibility, the rate in payments for sole parents and through ACC, Healthy Homes standards, and procedures for receiving the job seeker benefit. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Sara asked Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics

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.

On the proposal to scrap regional councils & the government’s request to increase developments around key CRL stations to up to 15 stories w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 3 July, 2025

On the proposal to scrap regional councils & the government’s request to increase developments around key CRL stations to up to 15 stories w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 3 July, 2025 On the proposal to scrap regional councils & the government’s request to increase developments around key CRL stations to up to 15 stories w/ Councillor Julie Fairey: 3 July, 2025, 35.23 MB
Thu 3 Jul 2025

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has suggested to the local government forum that regional councils may be abolished, stating that 
"After the upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act, I doubt that there's going to be a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist.“

Regional councils across Aotearoa are responsible for matters relating to natural resource management, flood control, and biosecurity.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said effectiveness between different councils is varied, and that councils generate too much bureaucracy and are “too focussed on vanity projects”.

As well, in order to make the most of local and central investment into Auckland’s growing city, the government is asking Auckland Council to increase the housing development allowance around key Central Rail Link stations in the lead up to the project’s completion.

Seeking to amend the resource management act, the government hopes to increase housing height and density around Mount Albert and Baldwin Avenue stations, allowing upzoning  of ten stories around these areas, in addition to allowing upzoning of fifteen stories around Maungawhau, Morningside and Kingsland.

Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics, starting with the proposal to scrap regional councils.