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.
World Endometriosis Day is coming up this week on the 28th of March.
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing severe pain in the pelvis.
Endometriosis is hard to diagnose and there is currently no cure.
However, international studies have shown that CBD oil is a promising natural treatment for endometriosis pain relief.
Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to the CEO of the Green Leaf Group and Co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Waseem Alzaher, about the effectiveness of existing treatments and the use of cannabis to relieve pain.
Long COVID is a condition that continues to affect people after they contract COVID 19 with a wide range of symptoms. A new Public Health Expert meeting has called for urgent preventative action against long COVID, suggesting it will have long term financial and human costs.
Wire host Castor spoke to the University of Otago’s Professor Michael Baker about Long COVID and how we can respond to it.
For Dear Science this week, Doctor Cushla McGoverin spoke to Wire host Castor about newly identified marine species, preservation of brain tissue, and genetically modified cow’s milk.
Castor also spoke to the National Party’s James Meager about the proposed vaping legislation and the changes to disability funding eligibility.
He also spoke to the University of Otago’s Professor Michael Baker about long COVID and its implications.
Producer Sofia spoke to the Co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Waseem Alzaher, about endometriosis treatments and using cannabis as pain relief in light of World Endometriosis Day this week.
She also spoke to Labour Party MP and Spokesperson for Disability Issues, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, about the Whaikaha, Ministry for Disabled People, funding changes and the implications they will have for disabled communities and whānau.
Last week, the government announced a complete ban on disposable vapes and higher fines for vape retailers and individuals caught selling to under-18-year-olds, as part of its ‘crackdown’ on youth vaping.
News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Co-Founder of Vape-Free Kids NZ, Marnie Wilton, about how effective she believes these measures will be in stopping youth vaping.
She also asked Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Kelly Burrowes, for her thoughts on the government’s crackdown.
She started off the interview asking what impact Burrowes thinks the recently announced measures will have on reducing vaping among young people?
For their regular catch-up News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about youth vaping, public sector cuts, and calls for the government to create a special humanitarian visa for Palestinians in Gaza with family connections to New Zealand.
She also spoke to Co-Founder of Vape-Free Kids NZ, Marnie Wilton, and Associate Professor at the University of Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Kelly Burrowes, about how effective they believe the government’s new measures to reduce youth vaping will be.
Producer Ezra spoke to Pharmacy Lecturer Dr Jay Gong, and Clinical Pharmacist, Hoda Fahmy, from the University of Auckland, about a rise in opioid misuse among older adult and post-surgery patients.
Research from the University of Auckland highlights a rise in the prescription and use of opioids in New Zealand, particularly among post-surgery and older adult patients.
Producer Ezra spoke to Pharmacy Lecturer Dr Jay Gong, and Clinical Pharmacist, Hoda Fahmy, from the University of Auckland, about the research and its implications on older adult and post-surgery patients.
More international research has emerged evidencing the connection between hunger and school achievement both internationally and in Aotearoa, ahead of the proposed funding cuts for free school lunch programme, Ka Ora, Ka Ako.
Producer Jasmine Gray speaks with public health researcher, Dr. Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau, about the lacking evaluation processes of Aotearoa’s government bodies ahead of cuts, and the positive impact of our free school lunch programmes that has been evidenced through community research.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Caeden spoke to Labour Party spokesperson for Education and Women Jan Tinetti. They asked about Winston Peter’s comments comparing co-governance with Nazi Germany, the response to the Freyberg High School students performing a haka against David Seymour, and Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech yesterday.
Yesterday the Western line was closed for some stops including between New Market and Britomart, while two Britomart stations remained closed due to KiwiRail maintenance issues. This won’t surprise commuters in Tāmaki Makaurau who are far too used to trains not running or turning up.
Caeden spoke to West Auckland based counsellor Shane Henderson about our public transport woes and the success of the cost-cutting budget. Here is that interview.
Producer Jasmine Gray speaks with Professor of Māori Studies Margaret Mutu of Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, and Ngāti Whātua. As chairperson of Matike Mai Aotearoa and of Te Rūnanga-a-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu, Margaret shares with us the path to securing indigenous rights in Aotearoa in light of the upcoming hui on this kaupapa hosted at Waipapa Taumata Rau in April.
The Healthcare exec Brian Thompson was shot dead by a masked assailant last week.
The crime has gained significant controversy and attention online, with many using it to restart the debate on the inequities of the United States healthcare system.
And this week Yale University was the latest college to commit to divesting from weapons manufacturing after a student vote.
For State of the States this week Wire Host Caeden speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about both of these topics.
The government as announced their plan for the Cook Strait ferry a year after they scrapped Labour’s plan, including cancelling the ferries the Labour government had ordered.
And a new report from the Ministry of Social Development has revealed nearly a quarter of beneficiaries are not receiving their correct entitlements.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.
For City Counselling this week, producer Sofia caught up with Councillor Shane Henderson about proposed time-of-use charging to solve congestion problems in Tāmaki and Council selling their remaining Auckland Airport shares last week.
The Green party recently released He Ara Anamata - the Green party’s emissions reduction plan.
The document covers more than 10 areas of the economy and energy Sector that a Greens-led government would be looking to adapt to minimise carbon emissions and protect the natural landscapes of Aotearoa.
It also comes 5 months after the government released their own draft emissions plan. Numerous experts pointed out that the government is behind on their own plan’s targets to meet the crucial emissions budget for 2031-2035.
For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menendez-March to discuss the party’s new emissions reduction plan and how they would address climate and the economy in a greens-led government.
Last election, one of the National Party’s main campaign promises was to be ‘tough on crime’, promising to increase police coverage and penalties for crimes. A target was set to increase the number of police officers by 500 by November 2025, however some police leaders today say this goal is unrealistic.
The government also announced this week some shakeups to insulation standards, which they say should make houses more affordable.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party’s Tom Rutherford, Wire host Castor spoke to him about police staffing targets and new insulation standards.
This week on Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about what latrines teach us about people, climate variation affecting Chinese dynasties, and invasive species becoming threatened.
Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow!
Last week it was revealed that two of the ten participants in the government's pilot bootcamp programme were on the run.
The youth were two months into the community rehabilitation phase of the programme, following the three month youth justice residence phase. Both teens were found in the weekend, but had allegedly reoffended, and are now set to come before the court.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, who have been heavily advocating for this programme, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about this incident.
She also talks to him about proposed changes to employment law which would give employers the power to dismiss workers earning over $180,000 without the employee refuting the decision.
And finally, she talks to him about David Seymour’s incumbent run as Deputy Prime Minister, which is set to begin in May of next year.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Sofia spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey about changes to Auckland Transport’s responsibilities, nationwide bus and train fare hikes, and concerns over the opening of the City Rail Link.
For State of the States this week, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Andre Fa'aoso from the Yale Daily News about President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, who was due to be sentenced next week for three felony charges.
They also discuss Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, who is the latest in a long list of unorthodox picks for government positions from Trump
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