Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Joel Armstrong, Castor Chacko, Oto Sequeira, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
In the wake of the Christchurch terror attack, New Zealand is looking to make rapid changes to its gun laws. Today we take a look at how our laws currently stand and how gun laws are only one aspect to preventing an atrocity like this happening again. Olivia Holdsworth spoke to Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago Kevin Clement and began by asking about historical pushes for gun law reform and why these suggestions were never ratified.
Harry sat down for a chat with artist Areez Katki about the Persian new year Nowruz, the history and tradtitions of the celebration and the countries that fall under the once Persian Empire. They then talk discrimination of minorities in New Zealand following the Christchurch terror attacks
Harry chats to European correspondant Justin Wong from Paris on this week's developments on the extension of Article 50 Brexit and European Leader's reaction to the Christchurch terror attack.
Sherry Zhang talks to Haya Khan, president of the South Asia Law students Assocation, on a temporary prayer space set up at Auckland university campus. Haya explains the importance of Jumu’ah or friday prayers for people who are unfamiliar with Islam. Sherry started by asking if Haya had anything she wanted to say about the Christshurch terrorist attacks and the past days, or how she’s feeling.
Iqra Khan is also a member of the Executive team in the South East Asian Law Students Association. Iqra reached out to Sherry specifically to talk about calling out hate speech. When Sherry asked why she specifically chose this topic, you can hear Sherry's shock when Iqra said she was one of the Muslim sisters who were racially abused at Mount Albert train station just days after the Christchurch terrorist shooting. She and her sister were very shaken after a drunk man approached them and started yelling abuse at them. Iqra told the Herald that her sister and her considered not wearing their headscarves in public, and wanted to yell back but was afraid of triggering him given the events in Christchurch. Today, Iqra spoke of the legislative changes she wants to see in protecting minorities from hate speech, and on education about diversity in schools. Both Iqra and Haya believe Hate speech directly contributes to acts of extreme violence in Christchurch. They also messaged just before the show to add that there are parallels with the Islamophobic memes we see today to caricatures of Jewish people before the Holocaust in they way they dehumanise people and reinforce harmful ideologies. Iqra says ”Hate speech contributes to dehumanisation, and ends with our murder being only reported in a number.”
Anis Rifhan is an international student at the University of Auckland Law school. Anis reached out to Sherry Zhang to speak on the best way to support the Muslim community at this time, and her views on the media portrayal of the Christchurch terrorist attack in New Zealand and overseas. NOTE: Sherry and Anis have been friends since they debated together last year, and half way through the interview they got a little off topic on making plans to check in with each other. Anis encourages everyone to have more conversations, and to support each other.
"As you will be very aware, a terror attack was carried out on Friday last week in Christchurch by a self proclaimed white supremacist. Mass shootings occurred at two mosques within five kilometres of each other. First, 42 people were killed at Masjid Al Noor. 7 more were killed at the Linwood Islamic centre. The death toll was raised to 50 as one person who was injured died later in Christchurch Hospital. 50 people were injured and 36 of those remain in hospital, some in critical conditions. The Prime Minister called this one of our darkest days. The Muslim community is in mourning, many too are angry that their voices weren’t heard when they said, many times, that threats against them existed, that they were indeed increasing. The government has declared NZ’s gun laws will change. Investigations are underway, an inquiry has been called for. The accused is in custody with one charge of murder, more will follow. NZ is grappling with just how to deal with what has happened. Funerals, delayed due to protocols around murder investigations, are finally underway today.
Preparing for work on Monday morning this week meant I had to indicate to the news team just how we would be covering the attacks this week and in ongoing weeks. What we set out to do is create a space where Muslim voices are heard at this time to express any thoughts or feelings being had. And a reflection is had on why those Muslim voices weren’t platformed as they should be. If you are from this community, or know someone who is and wants to speak to us, please get in touch and let us know.
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A couple of things before we finish, firstly if you need to speak to someone remember there is the text or call line available anytime on 1737. Also, we had Jonno ring in asking whether we should start a petition to get NZ troops out of the Middle East. Something else to think about. Also mosques around Auckland are opening their doors this Friday night for people of all faiths together in remembrance for the lives lost in the shootings. Auckland Council is working with the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ and New Zealand Muslim Association to promote these events. So the Ponsonby Masjid, Ranui Mosque, North Shore Islamic Centre and Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq in Pakuranga will be opened on Friday. There is also a vigil being held by the Migrants Against Racism and Xenophobia group in the Auckland Domain from 6pm. And Love Aotearoa Hate Racism are holding an anti-racist protest on Sunday at 2pm in Aotea Square.
Please remember we are in a time of mourning, that time is now. Soon, the time will be to take action. Please think about your actions this week and how they impact on others. How our actions as a country collectively contributed to this attack. Or, perhaps how our lack of action was the real issue. Think about the people around you. Think about the people who aren’t immediately around you. The different communities, the different peoples that make up the world around you, who you may have no interaction with. Think about reaching out. Try saying, kia ora, or malo, or nihao, or namaste. Or salaam at this time." - Lillian Hanly
On the show today,
On Dear Science today with AUT’s Allan Blackman we have a new neighbour in space, missing a meteor explosion over earth, and apparently we may have a subconscious magnetic sense.
Haya Khan, president of the South Asian Law Students Association, tells us about a temporary prayer space set up at law school, and also walks us through the Islamic relationship to the mosque and the importance of Friday prayer.
Anis Rifhan is a Muslim student here at uni and spoke to us about what people can do to support the community right now.
Iqra Khan spoke to us about hate speech and what needs to happen to end it.
Pippa Coom again joined me, last week before I believe we both headed down to the climate strike down in Aotea Square. We talked about the upcoming elections among other things. Coom has been selected to stand as Councillor for the Waitemata & Gulf ward, so I started by asking what this role is, what does the councillor do and what the difference between that and her current role is.
This month, a number of council body reforms have come into effect in the Auckland Council, fulfilling Mayor Wayne Brown’s promise to address issues and implement community feedback into the council’s format.
The three new divisions in the Auckland Council to improve organisation include the Auckland Urban Development Office, the Property Department, and an Economic Development Office, each of which are intended to make decision making more effective and accessible to the public.
As well, with the persisting cold temperatures and rainy weather hitting Auckland this Winter, I wanted to discuss the topic of homelessness in Auckland’s city centre, and to what extent the council is working to support those rough sleeping in the CBD
Public hearings as part of phase two of the Royal Commission into COVID-19 took place in Auckland this week.
The second phase of the inquiry has a stronger focus on lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and the impact of the Covid-19 response on business and the economy.
And yesterday, an independent reference group set up by the Ministry of Environment shared their recommendations for climate adaptation legislation.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Arena Williams about both of these topics.
Recently, a study was conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton which uncovered a shift in the circulation of the Southern Ocean.
The study showed that the shift would draw up more salt water from the deep ocean, subsequently accelerating the loss of ice in the Antarctic and leading to an increase of sea levels and global heating.
The week before, the government allowed the terrorist designation given to the far-right ‘Proud Boys’ group to expire, effectively decriminalising the act of funding or openly supporting the group here in Aotearoa.
And, just yesterday Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed a number of changes to Family Boost which she said would help families with the cost of living.
For our weekly catchup with the Green Party, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez March to get the party’s take on all of these issues.
The Southerner was a passenger express train in the South Island running between Christchurch and Invercargill from 1970 to 2002.
The train was eventually closed due a decline in passenger numbers and subsidies, although it was briefly revived in May this year for four days as part of a tourist experience.
Recently, a group of campaigners from Save our Trains launched a petition calling on the government to restore the Southerner train route as a more accessible form of travel for South Islanders.
Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke with Dave Macpherson from Save Our Train - Southern, to discuss his petition and why the Southerner should be restored.
Hearings on the regulatory standards bill are currently underway, with around 23,000 total submissions both written and oral. Early analysis of the submissions estimated 88% percent are in opposition, while only 0.3% are in support.
The bill has been pushed by Minister for Regulation and ACT Party leader David Seymour, who says it should support the government to reduce regulation and ensure the protection of individual rights and private property. The bill has been criticised for not including clauses around Te Tiriti o Waitangi or environmental protections. It has also been criticised for potentially undemocratic elements, placing large amounts of control in the hands of the unelected Ministry for Regulation.
In our weekly catch-up with the National party, Wire host Castor asked Tom Rutherford about the regulatory standards bill in light of the select committee hearings and new criticisms.
Recently, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mayors of Auckland, Otago, and Western Bay of Plenty Councils over the government’s expectations of City and Regional Deals. These deals aim to tighten the partnership between central and local governments.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to MP Cameron Luxton about what to expect heading forward regarding the relationship between local, regional, and central government.
They also discussed last week's Youth Parliament.
Youth Parliament provides the opportunity for 143 rangatahi aged 16-to-24 as Youth MPs, representing MPs across the political spectrum, and Youth Press Gallery members, to understand the country’s political processes, understand how government works, and replicate the Parliamentary process.
Youth MPs had previously accused event organisers of ‘censoring’ their speeches. This follows the MPs being asked to remove elements of their speeches that were critical of government policies, such as the Treaty Principles Bill and pay equity.
However, The Ministry of Youth Development has come out saying the way they communicated their wishes with Youth MPs could have been clearer and more concise. The general manager of the Ministry, John Robertson, says reviewing speeches and suggesting changes was a part of the process, but these recommendations are not enforced.
They also spoke to Luxton about these accusations, and whether they are tantamount to censorship.
Finally, they discussed calls by over half of the Youth MPs represented in this year's Youth Parliament, from across the political spectrum, renewing calls for the voting age to be lowered, to allow 16-to-17-year-olds the right to vote.
5 ACT Youth MPs, including the Youth MP representing Cameron Luxton, Fletcher Brown, had signed a letter calling for the voting age to be reduced.
This follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that found the current voting age is unjustified age discrimination and goes against the Human Rights Act 1993.
They also discussed these renewed calls to lower the voting age.
As the youth parliament is set to take place this week, a number of youth MPs have spoken out claiming they have been asked to change or remove elements of their speeches which criticise certain political figures or current topics like environmental action, pay equity and the treaty principles bill.
Youth Organisation Gen Z Aotearoa founder Nate Wilbourne was asked to edit parts of his speech calling out Ministers Shane Jones, Tama Potaka and Penny Simmonds on their role in environmental destruction.
He said “When your voices are edited to remove criticism, when ministers are shielded from being named, when we're told that our lived experiences are too political, that is not neutrality – that is protection of the status quo.”
As well this week, on July 1st a number of changes came into effect including the government’s Kiwisaver contributions and eligibility, the rate in payments for sole parents and through ACC, Healthy Homes standards, and procedures for receiving the job seeker benefit.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Sara asked Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics
Following Israel and the US’ large-scale attacks on Iran, and Israel’s continued war on Gaza, this has raised the question on the future of international order.
News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to the Executive Director of the Britain Palestine Project, Dr Brian Brivati, about this turning point in international order, and what we should expect heading forward.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has suggested to the local government forum that regional councils may be abolished, stating that
"After the upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act, I doubt that there's going to be a compelling case for regional government to continue to exist.“
Regional councils across Aotearoa are responsible for matters relating to natural resource management, flood control, and biosecurity.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said effectiveness between different councils is varied, and that councils generate too much bureaucracy and are “too focussed on vanity projects”.
As well, in order to make the most of local and central investment into Auckland’s growing city, the government is asking Auckland Council to increase the housing development allowance around key Central Rail Link stations in the lead up to the project’s completion.
Seeking to amend the resource management act, the government hopes to increase housing height and density around Mount Albert and Baldwin Avenue stations, allowing upzoning of ten stories around these areas, in addition to allowing upzoning of fifteen stories around Maungawhau, Morningside and Kingsland.
Producer Sara spoke with Councillor Julie Fairey about both of these topics, starting with the proposal to scrap regional councils.
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