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 piece arose from a conversation with Tracey Martin last week, where Bronwyn asked the Minster how she felt about a post of hers being shared on a Facebook group that advocates against transgender rights. What followed was a discussion of freedom of expression and when it can be reasonably limited. After that interview, Bronwyn spoke to Ahi Wī-Hongi from Gender Minorities Aotearoa to get a fuller picture of the issue, and whether it is even appropriate to call such groups feminists.
Much has been said about maintaining productivity levels during lockdown. Hanna spoke to Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, about the impact of this rhetoric on people's mental health amidst already increased mental distress from the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the Wire today Jemima speaks to the Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft about child offending system in Aotearoa and changing the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years old to 14.
Make It 16 is a group seeking to lower the voting age to 16 in New Zealand. Jemima speaks to member Thomas Pope Kerr about Make It 16's high court case claiming that the current voting age is discriminatory.
With 20% of households in some areas of South Auckland without power, Jemima talks to Tania Pouwhare, the Social Intrapreneur at Auckland Council's Southern and Western Institutes. They discuss why internet access is important and how digital infrastructure might be used to rebuild the economy in South Auckland.
Hanna looks into the pressure to be productive during lockdown. She speaks to Shaun Robinson, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation about productivity and mental health during the pandemic.
In a report released yesterday, the Children's Commission called for changes to be made to the child offending system. Jemima Huston speaks to Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft about New Zealand's child offending system and why it isn't working. They also discuss why he believes the age of criminal responsibility should be changed from 10 years old to 14.
One in five households in some areas of South Auckland do not have internet access. Jemima Huston speaks to Tania Pouwhare, the Social Intrapreneur at Auckland Council's Southern and Western Institutes. They discuss why internet access is important and how digital infrastructure might be used to rebuild the economy in South Auckland.
Make It 16 is a group seeking to lower the voting age to 16 in New Zealand. Jemima Huston speaks to Make It 16 member Thomas Pope Kerr about why the voting age should be lowered. They also talk about the group's case at the High Court claiming that the current voting age is discriminatory.
This week during her weekly chat with the Green Party co-leader James Shaw, Zoë Larsen Cumming asks about the Green's opinion on National's border policy, the extension of paid sick leave, support for students who don't qualify for the wage subsidy, and Iwi-led check points.
Zoë has her weekly chat with Green Party co-leader James Shaw on National's border policy announcement, the Green's call for paid sick leave extensions, student support during Covid 19, and Iwi-lead lockdown check points.
Producer Aneeka Moheed brings a piece on the economic effects of Covid 19 on small businesses, talking to Bestie Cafe, Mercury Plaza and an AUT economist.
Zoë interviews the principal of Aorere College Greg Pierce on reports of students in low decile high schools having to choose between continuing their studies or dropping out to support their families who were financially burdened by the Covid 19 lockdowns.
Finally, Zoë interviews University of Warwick astrophysics professor and exo-planet hunter Dr. Daniel Bayliss on an asteroid heading towards the planet.
Zoë Larsen Cumming interviews University of Warwick astrophysics professor and exo-planet hunter Dr. Daniel Bayliss on an asteroid which NASA says is heading our way. They also touch base on what's happening in the astrophysics community with regard to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Lockdown restrictions along with this Covid induced change to our economic climate sees local businesses forced to adapt their business models to suit these changing times. Producer Aneeka Moheed brings this package with interviews from Bestie Café, Mercury Plaza, and AUT economist Dr Jonathon Baker.
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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