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.
First up, The National Party’s, Denise Lee, joins us to discuss National being told to take their 'attack ads' down by speaker, Trevor Mallard and the recent criticism from National around governments recent steps to implement a bottle depot.
Next, following along with our local election coverage, mayoral candidates Tricia Cheel and Genevieve Forde join us for a brief insight into their policies.
After that, Bronnie Wilde gives a quick report on the climate emergency strike in Auckland before we live cross down to Queen street where she gives some insight on to what the strike was like.
Finally, for neutral corner, Benjamin J Goldson covers the protests over in Egypt which has seen nearly 2,000 activists detained.
Disclaimer: Genevive Forde's views are not representative of the view of 95bFM. In the interest of democracy for this local election, we have given every candidate the opportunity to be heard.
Following our local election coverage, mayoral candidate, Genevieve Forde, joins to discuss her vision for a sustainable and environmentally friendly Tāmaki Makaurau.
Forde's key ideas are around reducing the pollution created by transport. She’s looking to transition our buses to electric buses, incentivise the use of public transportation by making it free and, potentially increase rates in order to pay for the transition towards a more sustainable Auckland.
She gives a quick introduction before diving into her policy ideas.
Disclaimer: Tricia Cheel's views are not representative of the views of 95bFM. In the interest of democracy for this local election we have given every candidate the opportunity to be heard.
Following our local election coverage, mayoral candidate, Tricia Cheel joins to discuss some of the plolicies she'd implement if she were elected.
Some of Tricia Cheel’s policies are as follows: defluoridate the water, ban 1080, have the civil defense force respond to homelessness and have the reserve bank give interest-free loans for public infrastructure.
She starts off by introducing herself and tells us a little bit about what she's all about.
The Wire producer Bronwyn Wilde attended the School Strike for Climate NZ strike at Aotea Square today at 12pm. The third school strike organised by New Zealand students, today's action comes at the end of the international Climate Change week. Unlike previous school strikes, this time the organisers encouraged parents and grandparents to also get involved. We live cross to Bronwyn to see what the turn out was.
As part of 95bFM's ongoing mayoral series, we're speaking to as many candidates running for the top job as possible. Today, current mayor Phil Goff tells Stewart Sowman-Lund why he's running for a second term and what he'd like to achieve over the next three years.
*NOTE* This is the full version of the interview. An abridged version played on The Wire.
As part of 95bFM's ongoing mayoral series, we're speaking to as many candidates running for the top job as possible. Today, Susanna Kruger tells Stewart Sowman-Lund why she's running for a second time, and what her grassroots approach to politics would mean.
*NOTE* This is the full version of the interview. An abridged version played on The Wire.
It's another packed Thursday Wire this week with host Stewart Sowman-Lund and producer Justin.
On the show today:
Our mayoral series continues, talking to as many of the candidates running for the top job as possible. Today a triple header: Peter Vaughan, Susanna Kruger and Phil Goff.
After that, Andrew Little’s back for another political catch-up. Today, he's talking to Stewart about Jacinda Ardern in the UN.
Then, Justin’s here for the international desk talking Canada.
And finally, how do we stop social isolation in retirees? Stewart talks to Cheryll Martin, General Manager at Volunteering Auckland about their new Ambassador Programme.
All that plus a super speedy Poll Position, listener texts and more (of course). It's The Thursday Wire!
Social isolation is an issue facing people once they retire. A recent study from the AUT Centre of Active Ageing reports that loneliness in men over 60 impacts their health and well-being.
Volunteering Auckland is tackling this issue by launching the Ambassador Programme - it’s a world first retirement transition programme that assists retirees in continuing with a purpose by contributing to their community
Thursday Wire host Stewart Sowman-Lund spoke to Volunteering Auckland General Manager Cheryll Martin and started by asking her about the programme ahead of next week’s launch.
Mahuru Māori is coming to an end. This is the month long initiative for Te Reo Māori where you commit to what you can for the entire month. Paraone Gloyne, a Māori language advocate, said at the beginning of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this year that we should be thiking of the month rather than the just the week and putting more resources ino the month. Lillian Hanly spoke with him about this wero and, as it was Mahuru, he couldn't speak in English so we have translations being read by Tuwhenuaroa.
Trigger warning: this next piece contains discussion around suicide and sexual violence.
On Tuesday a report on the health of trans and non-binary New Zealanders revealed some alarming statistics on psychological distress, discrimination and ongoing barriers to health services. The report titled “Counting Ourselves” is a comprehensive study claiming to be the first of its kind in this country, including a survey of one thousand one hundred and seventy eight trans and non-binary participants aged between fourteen and eighty three. The report is stated to be a resource for helping bring about long overdue change, calling for various improvements to laws, policies and training as well as the provision of clear pathways to gender affirming healthcare. William Boyd spoke with Dr Jaime Veale, the study’s Principal Investigator and Senior Lecturer in psychology at the University of Waikato. Will started off by asking Dr Veale to give a brief summary of the report and its aims.
Where to get help -
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Victim Support: 0800 842 846
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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