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.
Mobile Phone’s are an essential part of modern life. Everything from interacting with friends, sending money overseas and accessing the vast information vaults of the internet are all accessible through one’s mobile phone. Almost everyone has one, whether they be top of the line or bottom of the bargain barrel. This reliance on our collective connectivity have made the companies who manufacture these products a lot of money. However, like anything, the precious materials used to make a mobile are finite. So what happens if we run out? What is the environmental impact of this mass production? Tuwhenuaroa speaks to RE:Mobile’s Francis Barrett, and started off by asking what RE:Mobile is, and they’re goals are for the future.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we talk about tracking phone use in an attempt to anticipate and stop suicide attempts, Machu Pichu and the helium shortage.
Counting Ourselves is a landmark study on the discrimination faced by transgender and non-binary people in Aotearoa, Will speaks to the lead investigator Dr Jaime Veale.
Tu looks into the recycling of mobile phones, and how you can sustainably get rid of your old tech.
Mahuru Māori is wrapping up and Lillian speaks to Paraone Gloyne about why we should be moving from Te Wiki o te Reo Māori to a month long initiative.
Our Local Body Election coverage continues! Ted Johnston is a criminal lawyer from Otara, where he grew up. Johnstone is one of the candidates running for Mayor. Laura went into more detail about some of the policies and ideas Johnston has put out so far, but she started by asking what is important for the role of the Mayor, and why he would be the right person for it.
This week on Green Desk Mangrove Mitch koreros with Shark Scientist Riley Elliot about the global decline in shark populations. Riley and Mitch discuss the recent decision made by New Zealand to vote no against the protection or Mako Sharks at CITES and the change in behaviour that he has seen in sharks as a result of human impacts on their environment. To begin, Mitchell asks Riley about the role sharks play as apex predators and how important they are to our global ecosystems.
Many women are arriving at retirement with less savings than men and inequity issues like these require new, forward thinking solutions. Care credits are just one of the many ideas the Commission for Financial Capability is exploring in its three-yearly Review of Retirement Income Policies to help improve the wellbeing of people on their road to retirement. To find out more about care credits and the review in general, Olivia Holdsworth spoke to Interim Retirement Commissioner Peter Cordtz and began by asking what exactly is the Review of Retirement Income Policies.
First up Olivia Holdsworth talks to the Interim Retirement Commissioner Peter Cordtz about a ‘care credit’ to address equity issues when women arrive at retirement.
Next, Laura Kvigstad speaks to Mayoral Candidate Ted Johnston as part of our local election coverage
After that, on Green Desk, Mitch Fuller speaks to Shark Scientist Riley Elliot about the declining number of sharks occurring globally.
And finally Rachel Simpson talks to the Executive Officer of Child Poverty Action Group Georgie Craw about how the benefits system has failed New Zealand mothers.
The current benefits system is from a different time, harking back to times of World Wars and the Great Depression. The most common recipient of the benefit is no longer a male Pākehā war hero, but rather solo mothers, and disproportionately mothers who are Māori, Pasifika or have disabilities. These women are subjected to intrusive investigations, probing questions, regulations that keep them from seeking work, and policies that keep them from pursuing meaningful relationships.
95bFM reporter Rachel Simpson spoke to Georgie Craw, executive officer of Child Poverty Action Group. The group recently released a briefing paper calling for the government to take urgent action on the benefits system, which was delivered to the Prime Minister’s electoral office, along with a petition signed by 8,000 people.
Sherry speaks with National co-ordinator of School Strike 4 Climate, Sophie Handford, ahead of their third protest on the 27th of September. She asks Sophie on the movement’s demands, and changes after criticisms following the last protest for alienating pacifika voices due to the timing with polyfest. Sophie also discusses the implications on local body elections with the increased awareness of the climate crisis. Sherry begin by asking Sophie to outline what’s new with the upcoming protest.
On the Wire today: Professor Jim Mann joins us to discuss food advertising and whether the government needs to bring in more regulations. Southern Cross is back discussing all the news across the Pacific. Sherry chats with Sophie Handford, national convenor for School Strike for Climate. Finally, Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw has his regular chat with Jemima, this week discussing emissions from business and the climate crisis risk assessment.
New Zealand has one of the higest rates of obesity in the world - but how much does advertising have to do with it? A health expert is calling for greater government regulations around how food is advertised, especially to children. Lachlan spoke with Professor Jim Mann from the University of Otago about advertising, the difficulty around food and social media and what the government can do to help people make more informed decisions around their diet.
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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