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.
Tuwhenuaroa spoke to the head of the Mental Health Foundation Shaun Robinson about the most recent chief coroner’s report regarding NZ’s high suicide rates.
TRIGGER WARNING: This piece discusses suicide attempts and depression at length
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we talk deforestation in Brazil as the Amazon fires continue, harnessing solar energy and optimism and life expectancy
We have Fletcher Tabuteau, deputy leader of the NZ First party this week talking about National’s economic policy document, the commerce commission's report on fuel prices and the forthcoming Infrastructure Commission
William Boyd is joining us as a Wire producer on Wednesdays and his first piece is speaking to councillor Efeso Collins about the need for youth workers in South Auckland
Finally, Tuwhenuaroa spoke to the head of the Mental Health Foundation Shaun Robinson about the most recent chief coroner’s report regarding NZ’s high suicide rates
95bFM reporter Oscar Perress was lucky enough to talk to The Green Party's Chlöe Swarbrick this morning about the expansion of the Piki mental health pilot programme. He started by asking to bring us up to speed on what Piki is and what form it currently takes.
Justin talked to Hamilton Mayor Andrew King about a new rail service from Hamilton to Auckland, which the government has announced last week that it has approved funding. The rail service will start mid-2020.
Justin talks about the fires at the Amazon, as the fallout from it could permenantly change the local ecosystem and accelerate global climate change. Even though local politics did not start the fire themselves, they played a huge part in why the fire is getting worse.
DeRay Mckesson is one of the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement. He is also known for his work to end police violence, founding the Campaign Zero police reform movement. Recently, he wrote a book called, On the Other Side of Freedom and is in New Zealand at the moment for events with TEDx Christchurch, Word Christchurch & Verb Wellington. Lillian Hanly got to speak with him before these events and they had a conversation about the power of naming or defining, the commercialisation of activism and hope. Lillian starts by asking DeRay to introduce himself.
Andreas Harsano reports on Indonesia for the Human Rights watch, and is one of the leading figures in press freedom and training of journalists in Indonesia. Sherry talks to Andreas on Indonesia’s history of violence and mass killings, the rise independent journalism post dictator post-suharto era, and what’s next for West Papua.
Andreas recently published his book: Race, Islam and Power on Ethnic and Religious violence, so Sherry begins by asking him to summarise his research.
The last national government brought in changes to the youth court system, bringing seventeen year olds under its jurisdiction. The changes haven’t been in efect for long but there is already a problem that has resulted in a dual court process for some offenders. Under the changes, some offences were marked schedule 1A and required to be heard outside of the youth court. For those charged with these offences in combination with lesser ones they have to appear in front of both the youth court and potentially the high court. Lachlan spoke with Tania Sawicki Mead from JustSpeak bout the changes.
This week on the Monday Wire, Sherry speaks to Andreas Harsano from the Human Rights Watch about West Papua, Indonesia and mass violence. Southern Cross is back with the latest in Pacific news. Jemima talks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about about Australia's failure to commit to Pacific climate action and the police conduct report on the 2014 Nicky Hager raid. Lachlan wraps it up with a conversation with Tania Sawicki Mead from Just Speak about changes to the youth justice system.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
With the rise of fast fashion outlets like Shein and Temu alongside the wider mainstream options available that contribute substantial amounts of clothing waste to landfill, experts are calling for an urgent response on a governance, business, and individual level.
Wire Host Sara spoke to Mindful Fashion Chief Executive Jacinta Fitzgerald about the problem, and the industry response to sustainability, as well as University of Auckland Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the importance of ethical consumption.for individuals.
First, is the interview with Fitzgerald, where she begins by talking about the organisation Mindful Fashion.
Following this, Sara spoke to Marketing Professor Mike Lee about the research he has undertaken around consumerism.
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
The government has recently rejected all of the Climate Change Commission’s recommendations regarding strengthening the country’s methane targets recommendations.
The commission’s recommendations include strengthening the county’s 2050 methane emission targets, continuing lowering emissions after 2050, and that international shipping and aviation, which represents 9% of the county’s total emissions, should be included within targets.
Despite the commission saying that there would be upfront costs, many of the changes would result in cost savings over time, however, the government rejected this claim.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about the government rejecting these recommendations.
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