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.
Black Lover is a new play from Auckland-based Zimbabwean playwright Stanley Makuwe, which looks at the little-known story of Sir Garfield Todd, a New Zealand expat who became prime minister of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1953 - 1958. The play takes it's name - 'black lover' - from a nickname given to Todd by the white minority rulers because of his work advocating for racial equality. The Auckland Theatre Company will hold the world premiere of the show at Q Theatre as part of the Auckland Arts Festival 2020.
Makuwe says he would like all New Zealanders to know the story of Todd, and explains why in this interview.
The National Party’s, Denise Lee, joins Laura Kvigstad and, rather than keeping us up to date on National news they look back at what has happened in the world of politics for the National party.
Next, Producer Rachel Simpson is looking back to an interview she did with the University of Auckland politics professor, Maria Armoudian, about the Mueller Report.
After that, Laura goes way back to a report in April on capital gain tax following coalition governments decision not to implement one.
And Finally, Producer Benjamin J Goldson looks back at his favourite neutral corner of the year where he looks at the media coverage around Iran violating the nuclear deal.
Join host Stewart Sowman-Lund for his final show ever on 95bFM. Joining him for the ride are producers Mary-Margaret and Justin. On today's show, we take a look back at the year that was 2019 - and gaze nerevously towards 2020.
Here's some of what features in this 'best of' edition of the Thursday Wire.
Andrew Little speaks after the Christchurch mosque attacks;
Ben Thomas recapping the Budget debacle;
Privacy Commissioner John Edwards on tenant rights;
Discussion on cannabis law reform; and
A quickfire look at the top international stories of the year.
All that plus some thrilling talkback, almond banter, and an analysis of Summer vs Winter Christmases.
Today on the wire we go through the best of 2019, snatching some interviews with big impact from throughout the year.
First up we have Lillian Hanly talking to Akala about race, class and division in the modern world you can listen to that on its own here
Then we have Tuwherenoa's report on Ihumatao early this year as police involvement in the protests increased
Sherry Zhang looks into waste management issues in New Zealand and finds context overseas
And finally, Felix discusses workers rights with activist Chloe Ann-King
This is The Wire for Rātū Tuesday the 17th of December Hakihea.
Tune in for a wonderful recap of our year;
In the Community Garden, we return to Rāhina Hauora (Part. I and Part II) to discuss the use of the Maramataka and Mātauranga Māori to heal the wounds of raupatu in Aotearoa. And to Wilde Projects about the intersections of colonisation, public form and queer ecologies.
At Green Desk, we return to;
Kauri Dieback with an interview done in March with Dr Mels Barton. Shark Scientist Riley Elliot about the global decline in shark populations and the demonization of sharks in media that has become common place in our discourse about oceans. As well as the largest scientific exploration incorporating mātauranga Māori within the discourse on climate change with Dr Huhana Smith.
and finally, although not present in the later wires of 2019, we return International Desk. Lisa brought us a huge amount of content and we return to stories of European Parliamentary ongoings and the international inability to commemorate the Tamil genocide.
Thank you all for tuning in and sending us your words of wisdom and feedback all year round.
A big thank you to all those who spoke with us for the show this year:
A huge thank you to our regular contributors; Pippa Coom and Tracy Mulholland and those other who played board games with us this year.
Lisa and Mitchell, and Olivia as well for your production and hosting this year. Not to forget those who have also contributed to making this show happen.
Lillian, Laura and all the rest of the station who put up with us and support us in making the rātū wire.
Current Monday Producers Deb and Louis look back on their favourite pieces: Louis speaking to Economist Shamubeel Eaqub, who explained the 2019 Government Budget, and Deb chatting with former prisoner (and 'jailhouse lawyer') Arthur Taylor about prisoner voting rights.
Rachel Simpson unpacks the current situation at the UN's highest judicial organ, the International Court of Justice. Myanmar is on trial for genocide of its Rohingya people, and State Chancellor Aung San Suu Kyi is defending her country.
Although Aung San Suu Kyi was once fêted as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and a champion of democracy, Myanmar could possibly be the first country to be found guilty of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Rachel explains how the trial works, and walks us through the complexities of international law.
The National Party’s, Agnes Loheni, joins Laura Kvigstad to discuss the terrorism suppression bill coming into law, governments' infrastructure spending potentially reviving former National Party road projects and National's Health Discussion Document, and why the National Party wants to ax DHB local elections.
Next, Producer Rachel Simpson conducts a report on Aung San Suu Kyi defending Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.
After that, Laura speaks with Denise Wilson about a recent report giving us insights into the systemic barriers of Maori Women accessing services around domestic violence.
Then, Justin Wong joins us for an international segment, where he gives us an update on the United Kingdom election.
And Finally, in another segment of neutral corner, Benjamin J Goldson looks at the media treatment of the New Zealand Bus lockout.
A recent report suggests that agencies designed to aid Maori women in unsafe relationships can actually contribute to further entrapment as Maori women report often feeling alienated and discriminated against while trying to access care.
In New Zealand, partner violence is estimated to affect one in three women while for Maori Women the prevalence could be as high as 80 percent.
Director of the Taupua Waiora Centre for Māori Health Research, Denise Wilson conducted a report studying the processes and strategies Maori women use to keep themselves safe in unsafe partner relationships.
She spoke with 28 wahine Maori hearing about their personal experiences surviving domestic violence and reaching out to systems that are intended to help them find some level of safety.
Laura Kvigstad speaks with Denise Wilson on her research, delving into what the barriers are for Maori Women in accessing the services they need to get out of unsafe relationships.
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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