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.
The exit poll for the UK's general election shows a Tory majority of 86, while Labour falls to its worst result since the 1930s. This result reshaped Westminster, the British left and energize for another attempt for Scottish independence from the Union.
It’s the final regular Thursday Wire for 2019 - and things went overtime.
On today’s show:
Minister Andrew Little is here for his final interview of the year. He talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about a major criminal justice announcement this morning. Plus, his thoughts on a potential merger between NZME and Stuff.
After that, Justin previews the UK election coming up tonight New Zealand-time. Are the Conservatives going to regain a majority?
Then, Mary-Margaret speaks to the Tupuna Maunga Authority and Generation Zero about developments at Owairaka.
And lastly, the final Neighbourhood Watch for 2019. Australia’s burning both literally and metaphorically… Our correspondent Zoe tells brings us the latest.
All that plus a super speedy Poll Position, regular texter Peter’s angry about the EU, and someone wants cat stories. It’s The Thursday Wire and it’s gone crazy.
Justin talks to the University of Edinburgh's Dr Alan Convery about the political parties' potential performances in Britain's general election, how could results in Scotland and Wales turn out and the possibility of another referendum on Scottish independence in the future.
On the 18th December, the final reading of Te Pire kia Unuhia te Hara kai Runga i a Rua Kēnana The Rua Kēnana Pardon Bill will take place at Parliament. Following that, there will be a gathering at Maungapōhatu of the Crown and the descendants of Rua Kēnana himself. Lillian Hanly had the opportunity to visit Maungapōhatu late last month. There, she took part in a working bee being held in preparation of the gathering and was able to talk to those present about what they thought of the Bill, and what they hoped the future would look like.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff outlined the annual budget for 2020/2021 yesterday. Most significant is his plan to reduce the council's emissions by 20% by moving to electric vehicles and sustainable energy. The budget also includes preparations for a number of international events to be hosted in Auckland in 2021, including the America's Cup. Felix Walton spoke to Phil Goff about the budget, as well as asking him about the ongoing bus lockout and Jacinda Ardern's decision to move the port.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we are talking about modern societies and early humans.
Felix spoke to Mayor Phil Goff about the most recent Auckland Council annual budget and how they plan to cut their emissions by 20%, he also talked about the ongoing bus lockout in and the Prime Minister’s decision to move Auckland’s port.
Lillian visited Te Urewera recently in the leadup to the statutory pardon from the government to Rua Kēnana and his descendants, she spoke to a number of his mokopuna about their thoughts on the pardon and the future.
Sam Denne talks to Jeni Cartwright from Child Poverty Action Group about the Child Poverty Monitor, childhood poverty in Aotearoa and the recommendations put forth to the government by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
Sam Denne talks to Jeni Cartwright from Child Poverty Action Group about the Child Poverty Monitor, childhood poverty in Aotearoa and the recommendations put forth to the government by the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
Earlier this year on Green Desk, Mitchell Fuller spoke to Hugh Wilson from the Hinewai reserve. In July this year there was a film made about the reserve and about Hugh Wilson, the Manager. The Fools and Dreamers film made by Happen Film can be found on YouTube.
We thought we would revisit this story from earlier this year. Mitchell and Hugh discuss the carbon credits system available at Hinewai which has become increasingly popular with large businesses allowing them to offset unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. The system has allowed the reserve to expand and encompass a significant area on the peninsula which has rejuvenated naturally without planting and minimal pest control. Mitchell begins by asking Hugh a little bit about the history of the Reserve and how its arrived at where its at today.
We were also joined by Erin Maloney of Tiny Nation to discuss the release of He taonga te Tamaiti: Every child a taonga: The Early Learning Action Plan 2019-2029, a foundational plan from the Coalition government to create long-lasting changes to early learning.
We were joined by Erin Maloney of Tiny Nation to discuss the release of He taonga te Tamaiti: Every child a taonga: The Early Learning Action Plan 2019-2029, a foundational plan from the Coalition government to create long-lasting changes to early learning.
A big thank you to Tiny Nation for speaking to us this morning.
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
95bFM 
