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.
The government has announced over the weekend it will spend more than 200 million dollars to fund 600 Learning Support Coordinator positions in 2020. Justin spoke to Lynda Stuart, President of the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Rui Roa, about the plan. First he asked what is the current teaching situation for children with special needs.
Sam Brooks is the playwright behind a number of acclaimed Kiwi plays. Just this year he brought us the fascinating political thriller Burn Her, and is responsible for other works such as the critically acclaimed LGBT piece, Riding in Cars with (Mostly Straight) Boys.
As his day job, he’s the television and games editor at The Spinoff. Now, he’s back with yet another political piece - his play Jacinda opens at the Basement Theatre in a couple of weeks time, presented by the Actors Program Class of 2018.
Stewart Sowman-Lund spoke with Sam about his career and what to expect from his latest production.
Jacinda runs from the 14th to the 24th of November at the Basement Theatre in Auckland, and you can get your tickets right now from here or at iticket.co.nz.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford announced yesterday the banning of letting fees. It was a seemingly welcome move, however some organisations have criticised it arguing there is economic reasoning for the fee. Jenn spoke to Angela Maynard, Coordinator of the Tenants’ Protection Association Auckland, on what letting fees are, why they were introduced and the effects on tenants and property management. She first asked; What is the association's stance on the ban?
First up, Laura Kvigstad speaks with Te Roopu Nahinara, National Party Member Paul Goldsmith on the research and development tax incentive and discusses the recent report from the law commission that is intended to 'modernise abortion legislation.
Afterwards, Jennifer Rose Tamati speaks to Angela Maynard, Coordinator of the Tenants’ Protection Association about the recent ban on letting fees.
Following that, we catch up all the Australian news with Samantha Smith in Neighbourhood Watch. We talk about refuge children from Nauru quietly behind settled in New Zealand and another alt right speaker, Gavin McInnes, plans to tour in Australia
And finally, Stewart Sowman-Lund talks with playwright and Spinoff journalist Sam Brooks about his new play, ‘Jacinda'. They discuss the cross over between politics and art for this upcoming show.
First up on the Wire, Kate from PAPA speaks with Oscar about the protests against the defence industry forum, or weapons expo, going on in Palmerston North. Then we discuss Judith Collins’ alleged cyber-bullying of a couple who purchased a kiwibuild home. Andrew Little joins Lachlan for our regular chat, discussing the law commission’s recommendations for removing abortion form the Crimes Act. Oscar then brings us community garden, speaking with Cameron Stewart from DIPLY . Finally, This Day in History looks at the Maastricht treaty coming into force.
Oscar Perress spoke to Kate McIntyre, from People against Prisons Aotearoa, about The Defence, Industry and National Security Forum in Palmerston North, and the presence of both the police force and protest in the face of the closed doors of defence development.
On the show today, Dear Science talks about alkaline water, age ratings in films being determined by chemistry in the air, and wrongful criminal drug conviction cases, and we have a special giveaway!
Jenny Marcroft from NZ First talks us through her thoughts around abortion law reform.
Lisa Boudet speaks with oral historian Caren Wilton about her book My Body My Business, which aims to destigmatize sex work.
Ella Christensen talks with Niven Winchester from MOTU economic research institute about NZ’s commitment to zero carbon emissions following the IPCC report earlier this month.
Producer Ella Christensen talks with Niven Winchester from MOTU Economic Research Institute about New Zealand’s commitment to zero carbon emissions, following the IPCC report earlier this month.
Oral historian Caren Wilton introduces her new book My Body My Business, a collection of eleven stories told by sex workers from all walks of life. They recount their early years, first encounter with sex work, years in activity. They share intimate stories about their families, partners, dreams and regrets. They also tell tales of tight community feeling and of a world about to disappear - the streets, the clubs, the language.
Producer Lisa Boudet has a chat with Caren, and overquotes the book. This is the almost full length version - for a shorter one, you can listen to the edited version which played on air during the show.
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
95bFM 
