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.
Skycity Chairman Rob Cambell is currently attending a “Wellbeing at Work” conference to talk with heads of business about the importance of fair and transparent practices for pay, performance management and promotion. Meanwhile outside the conference, Skycity workers will be picketing his talk over unfair wages for long and unsociable hours. Workers have gone on strike for the past month over not receiving time and a half pay for working late and on weekends. SEA-Unite Skycity Union Convenor Joe Carolan highlighted the two and a half thousand dollar entry fee to the conference, stating that “it's pretty safe to say there won’t be any low paid workers views expressed inside.” William Boyd spoke with Joe about the protest and workers pay troubles. Will started off by asking him why workers were picketing the conference.
Tuwhenuaroa talks to Tau Henare about his appointment to the Independent Māori Statutory Board, and some changes he’d like to see in Local government.
Will talks to SkyCity Union Convenor Joe Carolan over fair pay strikes by SkyCity workers
Lillian continues her investigation into phosphate imports from Western Sahara, today she hears from a spokesperson at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, one of the NZ companies that import that phosphate.
Phosphate. Fertiliser. Farming. Western Sahara. Morocco. And New Zealand. What is it that brings these things together?
Last week we played an interview with Saharawi resistance spokesperson Tecber Ahmed Saleh. Tecber was in New Zealand the past two weeks touring the country to try and educate people on her country’s situation. Tecber was born in one of the longest-standing refugee camps in the Western Sahara, formed after Tecber's country was occupied by Morocco in the 1970s and the Saharawi people were forced into the desert. Currently, the issue of governance is going through the United Nations - but this has taken years and is not yet resolved. Since 1991, there has been a UN-administered ceasefire that stopped the fighting between the Algerian-backed Polisario Front and the Moroccan government over who should govern the area known as Western Sahara. There is a referendum pending here that the Sahrawis people are waiting on. In fact, the NZ Council of Trade Unions called on the United Nations on Tuesday this week to organise, without further delays, a self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara. Furthermore, it called on New Zealand companies to “halt imports of phosphates from the occupied areas of Western Sahara until the legal status of the Territory is determined and the Saharawi people are allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and Peace Plan of 1991.”
While in New Zealand, Tecber spoke with Lillian Hanly about the desperate situation in the refugee camps in the mean time and the link to the New Zealand companies who import phosphate partly extracted from the Western Sahara, through Morocco. If you want to hear this full interview check it out in the bCasts. But back to phosphate.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Ravensdown are two companies in New Zealand that provide fertiliser to the country’s farmers. Part of the ingredients required to make the fertiliser Ballance-Agri Nutrients and Ravensdown provide is phosphate. Tecber indicated that these two companies are two of the last companies, and therefore New Zealand is the last country external to Morocco that continue to trade with Morocco despite the governing dispute. After having spoken to Tecber Lillian contacted both Ravensdown and Ballance Agri-Nutrients to find out more.
Ravendsown responded with a written statement and more information, Lillian is following up with them on whether they can do an interview and that information will be covered next week. Their position is ultimately that they are in compliance with the UN framework around dealing with non-self governing territories, they say they are acting legally.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients also responded and Lillian conducted an interview with them. Warwick Catto is the Science Strategy Manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, a farmer owned cooperative that alongside Ravensdown provide fertiliser products. Part of Warwick’s role as Science Strategy Manager means he is involved in discussions around the Zero Carbon Bill and freshwater policies in order to ensure the company itself is complying with these new legislations, as well as looking to the future and innovative ways of reducing their carbon footprint for example. Warwick told Lillian that phosphate is one of 14 essential elements that living things use, calcium phosphate for example helps to make bones and teeth. Fertiliser products are necessary in any kind of farming to replace the nutrients and minerals (or the phosphate and sulphur) that are essentially eaten or consumed by animals and plants. Particularly in New Zealand Warwick said, these nutrients are lacking in the soil, and thus the importation of these nutrients and the replacement of the nutrients in soil is necessary. Here, a product called SuperPhosphate is used because the plants need phosphate and sulfur. Lillian had quite a lengthy conversation with Warwick about the situation in Western Sahara, but also New Zealand’s pastoral farming system, which is fairly distinctive in regards to the rest of the world, they also spoke about different methods of farming as well as finite resources and the obligation of finding alternatives - especially given phosphate is one of those finite resources. If you are interested in this you can find the full chat online here. For the show today though, Lillian focused on Ballance Agri-Nutrients' relationship to the Western Sahara.
NOTE: The same day as this was broadcasted, Radio NZ published a piece on the issue as well. A government official for Western Sahara stated they are close to initiating court action against New Zealand. Kamal Fadel is the Australia and New Zealand representative for Polisario, the United Nations-recognised independence movement for Western Sahara. Fadel says the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara was internationally disagreed with and New Zealand's purchase of phosphate from them, was at odds with this. "At the moment New Zealand companies are part of the problem, not the solution, because their involvement provides money to the Moroccans to buy arms and tools to oppress our people. It gives them moral support that they have a right to be in Western Sahara which they don't have ... It's a de facto recognition of Morocco's involvement."
Lillian will speak to Kamal Fadel for next week's show.
This is Part II in a series, you can listen to the others here:
Phosphate. Fertiliser. Farming. Western Sahara. Morocco. And New Zealand. What is it that brings these things together?
Last week we played an interview with Saharawi resistance spokesperson Tecber Ahmed Saleh. Tecber was in New Zealand the past two weeks touring the country to try and educate people on her country’s situation. Tecber was born in one of the longest-standing refugee camps in the Western Sahara, formed after Tecber's country was occupied by Morocco in the 1970s and the Saharawi people were forced into the desert. Currently, the issue of governance is going through the United Nations - but this has taken years and is not yet resolved. Since 1991, there has been a UN-administered ceasefire that stopped the fighting between the Algerian-backed Polisario Front and the Moroccan government over who should govern the area known as Western Sahara. There is a referendum pending here that the Sahrawis people are waiting on. In fact, the NZ Council of Trade Unions called on the United Nations on Tuesday this week to organise, without further delays, a self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara. Furthermore, it called on New Zealand companies to “halt imports of phosphates from the occupied areas of Western Sahara until the legal status of the Territory is determined and the Saharawi people are allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and Peace Plan of 1991.”
While in New Zealand, Tecber spoke with Lillian Hanly about the desperate situation in the refugee camps in the mean time and the link to the New Zealand companies who import phosphate partly extracted from the Western Sahara, through Morocco. If you want to hear this full interview check it out in the bCasts. But back to phosphate.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Ravensdown are two companies in New Zealand that provide fertiliser to the country’s farmers. Part of the ingredients required to make the fertiliser Ballance-Agri Nutrients and Ravensdown provide is phosphate. Tecber indicated that these two companies are two of the last companies, and therefore New Zealand is the last country external to Morocco that continue to trade with Morocco despite the governing dispute. After having spoken to Tecber Lillian contacted both Ravensdown and Ballance Agri-Nutrients to find out more.
Ravendsown responded with a written statement and more information, Lillian is following up with them on whether they can do an interview and that information will be covered next week. Their position is ultimately that they are in compliance with the UN framework around dealing with non-self governing territories, they say they are acting legally.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients also responded and Lillian conducted an interview with them. Warwick Catto is the Science Strategy Manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, a farmer owned cooperative that alongside Ravensdown provide fertiliser products. Part of Warwick’s role as Science Strategy Manager means he is involved in discussions around the Zero Carbon Bill and freshwater policies in order to ensure the company itself is complying with these new legislations, as well as looking to the future and innovative ways of reducing their carbon footprint for example. Warwick told Lillian that phosphate is one of 14 essential elements that living things use, calcium phosphate for example helps to make bones and teeth. Fertiliser products are necessary in any kind of farming to replace the nutrients and minerals (or the phosphate and sulphur) that are essentially eaten or consumed by animals and plants. Particularly in New Zealand Warwick said, these nutrients are lacking in the soil, and thus the importation of these nutrients and the replacement of the nutrients in soil is necessary. Here, a product called SuperPhosphate is used because the plants need phosphate and sulfur. Lillian had quite a lengthy conversation with Warwick about the situation in Western Sahara, but they also spoke about phosphate, New Zealand’s pastoral farming system, which is fairly distinctive in regards to the rest of the world, and about different methods of farming as well as finite resources and the obligation of finding alternatives - especially given phosphate is one of those finite resources. This is the full interview.
Oscar Perress returns to the helm with his imperfect maths to actually put together a full Wire, despite many unfulfiled promises of Minister Hipkins.
All (Bar Board Games) the regular segments return along with a rushed discussion about the DHB and a wonderful piece about the flawed internet rhetoric of the white supremacist stickers on UoA Campus.
Dr Sereana Naepi is currently the Associate Director of All My Relations, an indigenous research centre in Canada. In about a week, Dr Naepi will be returning to the University of Auckland where she helped run the Tuakana programme for 10 years to take up a lectureship position in the Sociology department. Recently, the university has been subject to posters and stickers advertising white supremacist ideology and recruiting for a particular group. The Vice Chancellor's response has been deemed inadequate by students and staff, who have organised a picket and a sit in, and signed an open letter respectively. Dr Naepi wrote a response to these happenings, and took the opportunity to break down the rhetoric used by the University in their response, as well as the university's policy regarding equity and academic speech. Lillian Hanly spoke to her about the article and started by asking what her understanding was of the current situation regarding the presence of white supremacy on campus.
Women’s refuge is calling for primary school education on healthy relationships and deconstructing harmful gender roles to combat domestic violence. Sherry speaks to Chief Executive, Dr Ang Jury on the changes she’d like to see and why it’s so important to start these conversations young.
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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