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 another weekly chat with Justice Minister Andrew Little, Mary-Margaret asks about restoration of voting rights for prisoner’s serving sentences of three years or less, and Labour’s response to National’s calls for the development of a 'strike force raptor' unit
Justin’s reports on protests in Haiti for International Desk
James talks to Rod Oram about Aramco, the Saudi Arabian oil reserve
And in Neighbourhood Watch, Zoe tells us about the decriminalisation of sex work in Northern Territory
The National party has rolled a series of new proposals aimed at dealing with violent gangs, if they were to win the 2020 election. They’ve said they want to take a much stronger stance than the current government, promising new laws ranging from banning gang patches to revoking parole for those associated with gangs to the setting up of a new task force, modelled after a prolific New South Wales unit called “Strike Force Raptor”. This is apparently only the beginning of a broader “gang action plan” that National has promised to release by next year. Meanwhile Corrections minister Kelvin Davis called the document a "mishmash of reheated ideas", stating that the focus should be on anyone who breaks the law rather than specific groups. University of Auckland Criminologist Dr Ron Kramer said the proposals were "transparently pathetic", "overblown propaganda", and that they provide no substantive impact on crime. William Boyd spoke with Manukau ward councillor Efeso Collins, who has been outspoken in the past about opening up conversation with gangs as opposed to cracking down on them. William started off by asking him for his input on the new proposals.
The NZ First party has been in the news recently following reports on the New Zealand First Foundation that has allegedly channelled donations through to the political party. Party Leader Winston Peters has maintained the legality of the process, however Andrew Geddis, law professor at Otago University, says whether that is legal or not - there needs to be a discuss about whether it should be legal. Andrew studied in the US and during that time became interested in the relationship between money and politics. When he returned to Aotearoa he made that one of his central areas of research, looking at electoral law generally, and how those laws govern how money can be used to influence elections. Lillian Hanly wanted to speak to Andrew about what is happening with NZ First, but started by touching on money and politics in the US and whether NZ is heading the same way.
While many of us were enjoying a sunday sleep-in, a group of Greenpeace protestors occupied an OMV exploration vessel in protest of ocean drilling. The last of the protestors were removed by police on Tuesday morning, after 50 hours onboard. This is the most recent in a string of protests against the Austrian Oil and Gas company OMV. Felix Walton spoke with Greenpeace NZ's lead climate campaigner Amanda Larsson.
In this interview, 95bFM reporter Dhan-nun(@FreedomOfCommon) spoke with Waterfront 2029's Spokeperson Michael Goldwater. They're an organisation campaigning for the moving of Auckland’s container and used car Port to Whangarei. Waterfront2029 grew out of Stop Stealing our harbour which successfully prevented port expansion in the past like wharf extensions to Devonport and concrete bases for the america’s cup. I started off asking about Waterfront2029, their history and what their current activities are.
First up on the show today we have a piece from Dhannun Ahmed on the port of Auckland move, he speaks to Michael Goldwater from Waterfron 2029.
Deb Rawson is covering the changes to prisoner voting rights, she speaks to Law Professor Edward Willis, and Arthur Taylor, a former prisoner who first sued the government for the right to vote.
Mitchell Fuller has Green Desk and this week we hear from those protesting the felling of trees on Owairaka maunga.
A few days ago Justice Minister Andrew Little announced plans to change the law on prisoner voting rights in time for the 2020 election, to allow prisoners serving sentences of three years or under to vote.
Deb Rawson discusses this shift in policy with law Professor Edward Willis from the University of Auckland, and then later with Arthur Taylor, a former prisoner who sued the Attorney-General for the right of prisoners to vote.
A few days ago Justice Minister Andrew Little announced plans to change the law on prisoner voting rights in time for the 2020 election, to allow prisoners serving sentences of three years or under to vote.
This comes after a landmark decision by the Supreme Court in 2018 in Taylor v Attorney-General, where Arthur Taylor, a high profile prisoner, sued the Attorney General, arguing the ban went against prisoner's voting rights under New Zealand’s Bill Of Rights.
The Supreme Court agreed, issuing a declaration saying the law was inconsistent with the Bill of Rights. Parliament has now finally announced they will act to change the law.
Deb Rawson discusses this change to prisoner voting rights with Arthur Taylor, and also with law Professor Edward Willis.
The link to the interview with Dr Willis can be found here:
Protestors have occupied Owairaka maunga for nearly two weeks now, halting the integrated management plan by Tupuna Maunga Authority. This plan has been in place and publicly available since 2016, indicating the intention of restoring the maunga with native trees. That process would include the felling of 345 exotic trees. The group who have named themselves Honour the Maunga say they were unaware of the plan, and that consultation shoud have occured. They are against the felling and are concerned about the environment, that it is 'madness' to cut down mature trees in the time of a climate emergency. The Green Desk's Mitchell Fuller spoke with representative Anna Redford asking about their claims of lack of consultation and whether they understand the Tangata Tiriti responsibility that is possible here.
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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