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.
600 psychologists will be voting next week on a new offer to settle negotiations. This is the third month of partial strikes, with DHB psychologists not taking new clients nor working overtime. Sherry spoke to DHB psychologist Chris Murray on the strikes and union demands, the workplace crisis with low retention rate/burnout and the lack of respect given to psychologsts in comparison to other medical professionals. Sherry begins by asking Chris why DHB psychologists are striking.
This week on the Monday Wire, Lachlan speaks with Emmy Rakete from People Against Prisons Aotearoa about the trial of armed police units across New Zealand. Jemima talks to Richard Wagstaff from Council of Trade Unions about the government's discussion paper on fair pay agreements. Sherry speaks with DHB psychologist Chris Murray about upcoming strike action. Southern Cross is back with the latest in Pacific news. Jemima wraps it up with the regular segment with Green Party co-leader James Shaw about legalising drug testing for festivals and the most recent environment update report.
Last week the Governmen released a discussion paper, "Designing a Fair Pay Agreements System", about what a proposed law on Fair Pay Agreements could include. Jemima spoke to New Zealand Council of Trade Unions President, Richard Wagstaff, about the paper and what it might mean for New Zealand workers.
Neutral corner for this week looks at media coverage of the ongoing debate about impeaching US President Donald Trump for allegedly leaning on the Ukrainian government for damaging information about possible Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Denise Lee joins Laura Kvigstad for their weekly chat. This week they discuss the Terrorism Suppression Bill and the National Party's controversial amendments to the bill that were rejected quickly by government. After that, they touch on Simon Bridges questions being slashed by Speak of The House, Trevor Mallard. This follows the National Party's refusal to remove ads that have been deemed misleading to the public. The Labour Party has also been argued this has breached the 1993 Electoral Act's section 3A, as parties are not permitted to use parliamentary video for election advertisements. Laura and Denise finish up by discussing the recent case of a repeat drunk driving offender being granted residency. The National Party expressed concerns around the decision however it was National MP Michael Woodhouse who granted the individual protected person status back in 2012. Denise says a repeat offender shouldn't have been granted residency as the individual poses a threat to the public's safety.
With calls for Kiwisaver to be extended to investment properties, Interim Retirement Commissioner Peter Cordtz speaks to Jack about what they think of the idea.
The National Party’s, Denise Lee, joins Laura Kvigstad where they discuss the Terrorism Suppression Bill and the National Party's controversial amendments to the bill that were rejected quickly by government. Then, they chat about Simon Bridges questions being slashed for question time by Speak of The House, Trevor Mallard. They finish off by discussing the recent case of a repeat drunk driving offender being granted residency. The National Party expressed concerns around the decision however it was National MP Michael Woodhouse who granted the individual protected person status back in 2012.
After that, The Mental Health Foundation’s Shaun Robinson joins Laura to discuss the recent decision to implement a new mental health facility in the Waikato by the government.
Then, Jack Marshal speaks to Peter Courts, the Interim Retirement Commissioner about the proposal to allow KiwiSaver withdrawals for investment property
Then, Rachel Simpson speaks to Disability Minister Carmel Sepuloni talking about increased funding for people with disabilities.
And Finally, in the latest segment of Neutral Corner, Benjamin J Goldson takes a look at the media coverage around the most recent claims of an impending impeachment of US President, Donald Trump.
On Thursday the 17th of October, the government announced a new mental health facility in the Waikato. The $100 million project is set to replace the aging Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre which David Clark says is no longer fit for purpose. The Mental Health Foundations Chief Executive, Shaun Robinson joins Laura Kvigstad to discuss why placing funding on infrastructure is important in addressing Aotearoa's mental health crisis.
Stewart's back and it's a Wire for the history books, with two producers in studio at the same time! Mary-Margaret and Justin are back this week.
On the show:
With the news that Mediaworks has made some pretty major cuts to comedy and reality TV shows, Stewart Sowman-Lund speaks to journalist Philip Matthews. He’s the co-author of Funny As, a book about the history of Kiwi Comedy. Stewart gets his thoughts on what the cuts and cancellations to comedy programming might mean for the future of the industry.
Then, Labour Party MP and Justice Minister Andrew Little is here. Today, he talks about last week’s polling and a new counter terrorism bill
After that, Mary-Margaret learns about zero waste packaging with K Rd vintage shop, Crushes, who have just installed their latest initiative
Plus, producer Sherry asks Education Minister Chris Hipkins about amendments made to Pastoral Care laws for students in Halls of Residences
Then, International Desk is back - Justin delves into some history on the Turkey offensive into Syria.
All that plus a chaotic Poll Position and some texts from our listeners. It's The Thursday Wire and it's wired as.
Mediaworks, the owners of TV Three, confirmed yesterday they’ve cancelled Guy Williams’ new comedy show New Zealand Today, and made major cutbacks to long-running panel show 7 Days. It’s also expected we’ve seen the end of Married at First Sight - meaning there’s not a lot of new programming expected for Three in the new year. So what happens now? Stewart Sowman-Lund spoke to journalist Philip Matthews, co-author of the book Funny As, and started by asking him if these cutbacks were a surprise.
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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