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.
This week on the Monday Wire, Lillian speaks to Tina Ngata, an indigeous rights activist, about the relationship between Ihumātao and Oranga Tamariki. Southern Cross is back with the latest on West Papuan and Australian media freedom. Rahul speaks to Adele Gautier from the Breast Cancer Foundation about the National Party's recently announced National Cancer Agency. Finally, Jemima speaks to Green Party co-leader James Shaw about Ihumātao, the Resource Management Act and Climate Leaders Coalition.
Maya Newell is an Australian director visiting NZ as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival. Her film, In My Blood it Runs follows the story of a young aboriginal boy Dujuan - a child-healer, a good hunter and fluent in three languages. And yet, at school, the teachers say he is failing as his strength and talents go unnoticed. He is also facing increasing scrutiny from welfare and police in a climate that saw proof of torture occurring in a youth detention facility in Don Dale. The film is made in collaboration with Dujuan's family as he navigates an education system that is set up for him to fail. Lillian Hanly spoke with director Maya Newell and started by asking her to describe the film.
Damon Gameau is a father and filmmaker. He is the director of film 2040 which is playing in the film festival. The film looks into possible ways of reducing carbon emissions, amongst other environmentally friendly initiatives, that exist right now as a means of making the world a better place in 2040 for future generations. Lillian Hanly speaks to him at length about the issues the film speaks to. Lillian starts by asking why he made the film.
The protection of Ihumatao continues against police eviction his week, with protectors in high spirit, participating in the strong actions at the whenua. The kaupapa of rongo, peace, has been upheld through the entirety of the campaign, and remains today.
On Tuesday evening, Pania Newton, the activist who has been devoted to this cause along with her cousins & whanau, delivered this news to those who stood in pride. Louis went along yesterday afternoon to talk with those campaigning along with the SOUL movement.
This week, the Broadcasting Standards Authority released new research looking into the impact sex and nudity on our TV screens, have on children. The review found some studies found nudity on screen that is educational can provide a positive context for sexuality education. But, it also found that a large number of studies concluded that exposure to such media impacts on the attitudes and behaviours of children and young people.
Stewart Sowman-Lund spoke to BSA Chief Executive, Belinda Moffat - and started by asking her what the research tells us.
For years now, the development of Ihumātao has been a contentious topic for everyone involved. In 2014 Auckland City, using the Special Housing Areas Act, designated 32 hectares adjacent to the Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve as a 'Special Housing Area'. This decision has since divided both iwi and public opinion. Here are a few segments dedicated to this, firstly the history of Ihumātao, then the Prime Minister commenting on the issue, an excerpt from a speech made by organiser Pania Newton, and some live coverage and discussion around what was happening at the site on the morning of the 24th July - the day after Fletcher officials and NZ Police moved onto the site to serve an eviction notice.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we talk about permanent liquid magnets, storing data in music, and new research showing a possible link between spicy food and dementia.
Tuwhenuaroa was at Ihumātao this morning so he will give us some background info and an update as to what has been happening there after Fletcher officials and police moved onto the land yesterday morning.
And we have Fletcher Tabuteau back for NZ First talking about gun law reform and Ihumātao
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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