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.
In his State of the Nation speech on Sunday, leader of the National Party Christopher Luxon outlined national’s economic agenda for if they get elected in 2023. This includes lowering taxes and repealing many of the taxes Labour has introduced since taking power in 2017. Christina spoke with Professor Robert MacCulloch, a professor of economics at the University of Auckland, about the proposed tax plan and what it means for the economy.
30% of women suffer from Urinary Incontience. The condition makes the bladder overactive, with the sufferer being unable to control their pelvic floor muscle movement.
Trishil Dahya spoke to Doctor Jennifer Kruger about her research and how it led to the development of the femfit. The Femfit is an instrument that women use to correct their pelvic muscle exercises, and in the process, recover from Urinary Incontience. The conversation also touched on the societal view of women who experience Urinary Incontience.
Research into conditions such as Fetal Growth Restriction has been limited in scope as pregnant women are unable to be tested on. Through development in virtual organ research, the virtual placenta was devised to simulate clinical research to take place and assess the risks of conditions like FGR on pregnant women and the likely survival of the child.
Trishil Dahya spoke to Doctor Alys Clark about her research and how it led to the development of the virtual placenta. The conversation also touched on the future application of virtual organ research and virtual clinical trials.
On the Tuesday Wire, Christina spoke to AUT Professor Marcus Jones for Dear Science. Today, they discussed Russia’s exclusion from the global scientific community, new variants of Covid-19, and when the pandemic might finally be over.
She also spoke to Professor Robert MacCulloch from the Univeristy of Auckland about Christopher Luxon’s State of the Nation speech at the weekend, and the economic breakdown of the National party’s proposed tax cuts.
Trishil spoke to Dr Alys Clarke from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute about her research into a virtual placenta. The application of the placenta will allow for clinical trials to occur during pregnancy.
Trishil also spoke to Professor Jennifer Kruger into her research into the femfit technology. The tech is designed to assist women with urinary incontience with exercising their pelvic floor muscles.
And finally, Christina spoke to Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith from Massey University the representation of sex workers in the media, and the stigma attached to the sex industry nearly twenty years after sex work was decriminalised in Aotearoa.
Nearly twenty years after Aotearoa decriminalised sex work, the stigma and stereotypes attached to sex workers and the industry persist. In particular, the representation of sex work in the media has reproduced negative ideas about sex work, despite a general societal shift to greater acceptance of sex work as work. Christina spoke to Dr Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith from Massey University about their new research into the representation of sex work in the media, and the stigma surrounding sex work in Aotearoa.
Last week, the Sunscreen Product Safety Bill was passed, which requires manufacturers to meet SPF ratings or face fines up to $600,000. This bill is from Bay of Plenty MP and former National leader, Todd Muller.
Sam Clark spoke to him this morning about the Bill, as well as further measures we could take in New Zealand for sun protection.
The critical workers exemption scheme was announced last month, meaning people working in sectors such as food production, supply chain, transport and news media can still come into work if they’re a close contact of Covid-19. However should workers be able to stay home if they feel unsafe?
Sam Clark spoke to Green Party MP and spokesperson for workplace relations, Jan Logie.
Samuel Hickey from the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation discusses Russia’s weapons and nuclear power plants.
Dr Anna Brooks from the University of Auckland speaks about long covid.
Dr Jennifer Gadd from NIWA and Melanie Kah from the University of Auckland discuss hazardous chemicals in the environment
Greens MP, Jan Logie discusses the new 'critical workers exemption scheme' and labour rights.
And National MP, Todd Muller speaks about the passing of his sunscreen standards bill. It had unanimous support, which is rare for an opposition member.
Tomorrow’s World is back!
This week Isla and Stella look into "What's carbon neutral? The Sustainability of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics."
New Zealand’s tracing system of hazardous chemicals seems insufficient according to a new report released by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Charlie spoke first with Dr Jennifer Gadd, Aquatic Chemist at NIWA, about the report and the current regulations around chemical importation. Secondly Melanie Kah, associate professor at the University of Auckland, spoke about the risk of not tracking chemicals and how the system can be improved.
Conflict in Ukraine continues, with Russia using more military force in the area and putting nuclear weapons on “high alert”. Samuel Hickey, a Research Analyst at the Centre for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, spoke with Charlie about the current attacks on nuclear power plants in Ukraine. He further discussed the potential impacts of nuclear weapons and the distribution of them.
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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