Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Sara Mckoy, Max Micheel, 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 saw the release of another major IPCC Climate Report, stating that without immediate action we will reach a one point five degree rise in climate and beyond by 20300.
Several new contributors to climate change were highlighted, including the cumulative impact of big cities and towns on the climate.
Efforts to turn our cities more green have been taking place across Aotearoa for several months, so Liam Hansen spoke to Crystal Olin from Sustainable cities Aotearoa about what’s being done and what needs to come next.
On this weeks Thursday Wire, Tuva’a talks to Andrew Little in his weekly chat with the Health Minister. They spoke about flu vaccines.
Emilia looks at the unrest in Sri Lanka and the latest IPCC report which says ‘it’s now or never’ to prevent a climate catastrophe.
And Joe speaks about what works in co-designed Indigenous youth programmes as well as the state of student homes as we approach the colder part of the year.
Today is World Health Day, and with New Zealand approaching its colder seasons, health at this point in time is imperative. Joe had the opportunity to speak to Dr Kimberley O’Sullivan, a senior research fellow in the Department of Public Health at Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo ki Pōneke University of Otago, Wellington about the state of student flats, energy usage, and how it impacts students' health
Sri Lanka is facing a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis following accusations that the government has mismanaged the economy, producing an economic crisis with severe inflation, daily blackouts, and a shortage of fuel and essential items.
The President and Prime Minister, who are brothers from the prominent Rajapaksa political dynasty have denied calls for their resignation, despite all 26 cabinet ministers resigning en masse on Sunday.
Emilia Sullivan spoke to Nishhza Thiruselvam, spokesperson for Migrants Against Xenophobia and Racism (MARX).
New Zealand researchers have reviewed evidence on health and disability initiatives co-designed with Indigenous and other children and youth from other social groups. The research team say there is an urgent need for formal research to assess how co-designed initiatives affect youth, and how they contribute to achieving equity. Joe spoke to Dr Paula Toko King from the University of Otago on the matter.
Alex kicks off with Stephen Noakes from the University of Auckland about the proposed Solomon Islands - China security agreement.
This is followed by Alex speaking with ACT’s Brooke van Velden about her view on the Solomon Islands - China security agreement as well as alleged human rights abuses by Russian forces in Ukraine.
Frances speaks with Cameron Mulgan on Eurovision, giving an update on the situation in Ukraine, focussing on the war crimes in Bucha. They also talk Hungary and Serbia election results, the upcoming presidential election in France, and finish off speaking about the new Tesla factory in Berlin.
Stella then speaks with Lauren Fong from Icehouse, the manager of ArcAngel the largest fund in New Zealand dedicated specifically to investing in female start-up leaders
Finally we have a piece from reporter Corey Fuimaono who speaks to NZUSA President Andrew Lessels on Vic Uni's recent vote to leave his organisation and recent reforms that are now taking place to keep members happy.
This week, Cameron and Frances give an update on the situation in Ukraine, focussing on the war crimes in Bucha. They also talk Hungary and Serbia election results, the upcoming presidential election in France, and finish off speaking about the new Tesla factory in Berlin.
Corey Fuimaono speaks to NZUSA President Andrew Lessels (Le-Sells) on Vic Uni's recent vote to leave his organisation and recent reforms that are now taking place to keep members happy.
Women in business experience a plethora of barriers when trying to raise capital for a new business endeavour, despite proven success. Aotearoa has an infant ecosystem of projects attempting to level the playing field, including the ArcAngel fund, the current largest fund of its kind that invests exclusively in female led startups. The fund is supported by Icehouse Ventures, a New Zealand based capital firm, and in 2022 is the second time it’s been run. Producer Stella Huggins spoke with Lauren Fong, the manager for the fund at Icehouse Ventures.
From Dec 27 to Jan 18, all train lines across Tāmaki will be shutting down for summer maintenance, a closure which is expected to be the last of its kind ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
The current measles outbreak in Tāmaki is being continually monitored, with exposure sites being updated daily on info.health.nz. The public are encouraged to track whether they’ve been in possible contact with the virus, and get up to date on any vaccinations to limit possibilities of transmission.
Auckland Council are supporting arts initiatives across the summer months, with Music in the Park kicking off in early January, and Movies in the Park following in February.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about these topics, and also asked for comment following the attack by two gunmen at Bondi Beach earlier this week.
Yesterday, the latest six-monthly survey of housing support providers under the National Homelessness Data Project, or NHDP, showed that homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled in the year to September. The report also found that 14 of the 21 agencies interviewed reported an increase in homelessness.
As well as this, Australia’s ban on social media for children under 16 has taken effect. And according to an interim report into social media harm, a social media ban for children in New Zealand is worth exploring further.
And last week the Government announced the replacement of the Resource Management Act, or RMA. The coalition said its replacement will slash red tape and supercharge growth.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the Government’s new RMA reforms and a potential social media ban in New Zealand.
But first they discussed the latest report on Auckland homelessness.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
The government has announced the overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which will be replaced by two different bills, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. The RMA is set to be fully replaced by 2029.
The RMA, which has been in effect for 34 years, is polarising across the political spectrum.
In announcing the reforms, RMA Reform Minister, Chris Bishop, says that “pretty much everything” will be quicker and less costly under the new regime.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about this overhaul of the RMA.
They also discussed The Education and Workforce Committee’s interim report on the harms young people experience online, with a majority recommending a ban on social media for under-16-year-olds.
But first, they discussed the overhaul of the RMA.
On Sunday, “Block the Ban” held a protest against the government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers for young people with gender dysphoria.
The United Nations’ committee for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination has released a report warning that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights.
And last week, the government rejected the recommended methane emissions targets.
This is despite officials warning against the government doing so, stating that lowering methane emissions targets could increase New Zealand’s contribution to global warming.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shanan Halbert about all of these topics.
Safety measures on public transport are of growing concern this week following the fatal and unprovoked attack that took place on route 76 in East Tāmkaki on Monday night.
Earlier this week there were also multiple critical incidents that occurred simultaneously across Auckland’s West Coast beaches and waterways, seeing an unusually high deployment of emergency services and surf lifesavers for this early in the summer.
Swedish home and furniture retailer Ikea opened in Sylvia Park a week ago today, drawing huge excitement for many.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
Last week was scrutiny week, where Parliament focuses entirely on holding government agencies and ministers to account, to check-in on how well the Government is performing.
Many of the questions surrounding scrutiny week have been focused on climate change, with many recent reports highlighting the Government’s questionable decision-making.. The biggest headline was that the coalition had chosen to reject all three of the climate change commission’s recommendations to strengthen New Zealand’s emissions targets.
Along with this, the United Nations released a new report, where they’ve warned that New Zealand is at serious risk of weakening Māori rights and entrenching disparities for the indigenous population. In the 14-page report, the UN expressed concerns over multiple government policies affecting Maori, including the disestablishment of the Maori Health Authority, cuts to public funding for Maori services, and minimising the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the report released by the United Nations, but first they discussed Scrutiny Week and the Government’s recent climate change decisions.
The government is pausing the new prescriptions of Puberty Blockers to gender diverse and transgender young people from the 19th of December onwards, following a similar move by the UK after the results of the NHS’s Cass Review.
Wire Producer Flo spoke to activist Lauren Craig about the effects of the legislation, her petition “Reverse the decision to deny transgender and takatāpui young people access to puberty blockers” against the changes and the wider political motivation for the policy.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here
The biannual Scrutiny Week took place in Parliament last week, with meetings across select committees and government departments focussed on scrutinising the outcomes of government work.
These include hearings on ministries like Health, Housing, Environment and Justice.
Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Carl Bates about Scrutiny Week, firstly by asking him to talk about the meetings he was involved in
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