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.
In this report, Trixie Miranda investigated why it was important not to “forget your roots” and to maintain cultural identity. Trixie spoke to Migrant Zine Collective’s Helen Yeung and Jasmin Singh who aim to inspire and encourage migrant-identifying youths to express themselves and their experiences in New Zealand through the arts and media.
Andrew Little is here for his weekly catch-up. Lillian Hanly talks with the Minister about internet privacy, the new Race Relations Commissioner, and they also touch on abortion law reform.
On July the first, a group of protestors against Hong Kong’s now on-hold extradition Bill stormed the parliamentary building. This follows a series of protests, of more than a million people, against the controversial Bill which would allow suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. Sherry Zhang talks to a Hong Kong protester who assisted in the storming of the parliamentary building. The protester asked to remain anonymous for safety and to be able to talk freely. Sherry begins by asking for an update on the situation so far.
The Auckland Women’s Centre is an organisation working in the area of primary prevention for sexual assault, as well as family and sexual violence. This means community education and support groups to enhance women’s self esteem, coordinating a group of preventing violence agencies, and making submissions to government. Recently, the Family Violence laws have been reformed, something that Green Party MP Jan Logie, the Under-Secretary to the Minister of Justice for domestic and sexual violence issues has been working on for a while. The law expands the definition of family violence to include coercive and controlling behaviour, but proving that could be challenging. Under the wider definition, police will consider more factors when issuing a protection order such as the abuse of pets, withholding care and dowry abuse. Sherry Zhang spoke with Auckland Women’s Centre Manager Leonie Morris about the changes.
CW: The interview discusses sexual and family violence and assault, as well as court processes that are known to re-traumatise survivors of such violence. And if you or anyone you know needs to speak to someone regarding sexual or domestic violence, you can call HELP which is a 24/7 helpline on 09 623 1700 or Safe To Talk, also a 24/7 helpline on 0800 044 334, or Shine between 9am and 11pm 7 days a week on 0508 744 633.
A Cambridge University team of researchers examined the relationship between trends in physical activity levels over time and mortality risk among adults in middle age and older. Many Kiwis will be shocked to learn that New Zealand is the 13th worst in the world for physical inactivity and the worst in the developed world. Tuwhenuaroa spoke to ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie about these findings, which he has appalling.
On today's Wire, we cover a range of topics, from Mangrove Mitch's Green Desk about methane emissions by living organisms. to Rahul's interview of Leo Koziol, curator of the Maoei and Pasifika short film program of the NZIFF. We also discuss short-term loan alleged bad practices, and International Desk takes us to Greece, where a new Prime Minister has been elected.
The Commerce Commission is taking Moola, a short-term lender, to the High Court, on allegation of breach of responsible lending practices between 2015 and 2017. Like many others, Moola offers from $100 to $5000 as loans very quickly, but with rates that can go up to 625%. And while none of this is illegale, the lending companies are supposed to research their clients' ability to repay such loans before granting them.
The Commerce Commission was alerted by a referral made by Fincap, and organisation that provides budget advice. Lisa spoke with its CEO, Tim Barnett.
She also had a chat with Robert Choy, of Ngā Tāngata Microfinance, a charitable trust that offers loans free of interest and fees, to help out those who got trapped in the vicious circle of debt.
On Sunday, Greeks were invited to the polling booths for the fourth time in five years, to re-elect their members of parliament. The left leaning Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, a once popular politician who based his entire persona around fighting austerity, was beaten by a centre-right party. Lisa Boudet tells you how and why this happened.
The government is facing criticism over its inaction in bringin in specific protections for those with diverse gender identities. The Human Rights Commission called for changes to the Human Rights Act to include protections for the trans community in their 2008 transgender inquiry, and these have been reinfoced by a recent Universal Periodic Review by the UN Human Rights Council. Despite this, no changes have been made, and the Government has signalled it is low on their list of priorities, preferring to instead focus on some of the other 194 recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission. Lachlan spoke with Vanisa Dhiru from Gender Equal NZ about the periodic review.
Yesterday the Government announced it would make considerable changes to the way family carers are treated in New Zealand. These include adding partenrs and parents to the group of people eho are paid for care, as well as an increase in payment form the minimum wage. The government indicated it will also repeal Part 4A of the Health and Disability act which barrs family carers from pursuing claims of discrimination in the courts. While groups are pleased with these changes, they are also disappointed the assessment process around who gets paid, and how much, is not changing. Lachlan spoke with Laurie Hilsgen, Chief Executive of Carers NZ about the changes.
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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