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.
On Monday, the government announced it would be introducing a cost of living relief package to kick in next month. In the wake of criticism over rising fuel prices and living costs increasing, the government is set to cut fuel taxes by 25 cents a litre, and halve all public transport fares.
Christina spoke to the Minister of Energy and Resources, Megan Woods, about the package, and what it means for New Zealanders. She also caught up with Robert MacCulloch, a professor of economics from the University of Auckland, to get his latest thoughts on the government’s announcement.
Aneeka had her regular catch up with Dr Shane Reti from the National Party, which was cut due to time restraints. This week they discussed sanctions on Russia, and the borders reopening to international travellers. Listen back!
With the Auckland Mayoral election taking place in October, incumbent Phil Goff is retiring and will not be endorsing a candidate.
However, Unions Auckland have gotten behind Manukau Ward Councillor, Efeso Collins. This is the first time in recent history the organisation has endorsed a candidate. Sam Clark spoke to Unions Auckland Spokesperson Sarah Barker.
Until yesterday, the Ukrainian city of Lviv has been a safe place for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.
Ukraine says up to 30 Russian missiles have been fired at the Yavoriv military training base near the border with NATO member Poland.
Officials say at least 35 people were killed, and 134 were critically injured in the attack.
A few days before this horrific attack, I spoke with Victoria Vasyliuk, a resident of Lviv who has been hosting refugees from Kyiv.
We discussed what it has been like on the ground for internally displaced people in Ukraine. She also gave a personal account of Russia's aggression against her country.
Please note this interview took place prior to the recent tragedy in Lviv.
The long lasting effects of COVID-19 are becoming clearer to scientists, with long covid now presenting itself as a long term problem for those who have previously had COVID-19. Dr Anna Brooks from the University of Auckland spoke to Charlie about the concerns around long covid, and how to manage symptoms.
New Zealand's first Pay Registry is now up and running on the MindTheGap website, in the hopes that transparency coming from companies about their pay inequalities will help narrow the pay gap. Nina Santos, campaign spokesperson for MindTheGap spoke with Charlie about the new registry and the current state of New Zealand's pay gap.
New Zealand's property revaluations were released on the 8th March, meaning rates in certain areas may be increasing. Chloe Wollard, valuations manager for Auckland City Council explains how the revaluation system works and why some suburbs are seeing such a large valuation increase. Auckalnd City Councillor, Shane Henderson, then discusses where your increased rates may be going, and how you can help shape the councils annual budget for 2022/2023.
On Thursday, Broadcasting and Media Minister Kris Fafoi announced that a new public media entity will be created through the merging of TVNZ and Radio New Zealand.
Fafoi has stated that this will future proof both organisations and provide a centralised source for all New Zealanders to rely on for public journalism.
The announcement has received mixed responses from across the media sector, with it being called a "solution looking for a problem” by National Party broadcasting spokesperson Melissa Lee .
Liam spoke to former MP Tracey Martin, who was a chairperson on the Public Broadcasting Governance Group about what we could see out of the new entity.
With unanimous support, a bill passed through parliament under urgency which levies targeted sanctions towards Russia and key Russian figures. This Russia sanctions bill is New Zealand’s method of condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine without a resolution passing through the UN’s security council, which was previously the only legal way New Zealand could have imposed sanctions on Russia.
Casper spoke with Dr Robert Patman from the University of Otago about the bill, how it differs from a previously proposed autonomous sanctions bill, and what it says about New Zealand’s modern approach to international relations.
Today on the Wire Liam spoke to the chairperson of the Public Broadcasting Governance Group, Tracey Martin about the new public media entity being built out of a TVNZ and RNZ merger.
Casper talked to Dr Robert Patman from the university of Otago about the government's recently passed Russia sanctions bill.
Casper also had his fortnightly chat with Auckland city counceller Pippa Coom. This week they discussed Auckland's regional fuel tax.
Finally, Liam interviewed Dr Matiu Rātima about Ngā Hau e Whā o Tāwhirimātea, his new guide for tertiary educators on culturally responsive teaching.
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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