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.
The population of Aotearoa is growing rapidly, increasing by more than 100,000 people annually, with the largest recent growth happening in the years after COVID-19. In order to accommodate for this increase, Aotearoa needs to ensure that there is robust investment going into its public infrastructure so that the growing population has adequate access to services such as medical care and public transport.
Currently, the coalition government seems to be ensuring the opposite of that, cutting around $2.4 billion in expenditure across the public sector to fund tax cuts as part of their commitment to what they call “fiscal responsibility”. As a result, it is speculated that already limited and struggling public services in Aotearoa will become more scarce and inaccessible to both Kiwis and the growing population.
Oto spoke to Craig Renney, the economist and director of policy at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, who wrote a report titled “Investing in a growing population” that specifically details the problem and impacts of public spending cuts on the growing population here in Aotearoa.
Bike Auckland is an organisation that promotes and supports cyclists across Auckland with various events and campaigns. The organisation also looks at road usage from a climate standpoint, promoting cycling as a low emission alternative to driving.
Last week the government unveiled its new transport policy, which included minimal support for cyclists or the environment. Wire host Castor spoke to chair of Bike Auckland Karen Hormann about both the organisation and the policy announcement.
Last week, the Fast Track Approvals Bill received its first reading under urgency.
The bill proposes to fast-track the resource consent process for major infrastructure projects by giving ministers decision making powers.
Forest & Bird, among other environmental groups, have expressed concerns that the bill will override or bypass existing environmental laws and protection.
Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to group manager for conservation advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie, about the bill and its impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment and democracy.
Last week, three unions representing care and support workers delivered an open letter with over 9,100 signatures to Te Whatu Ora demanding urgent action on their pay equity claim.
Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Public Service Association Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox, about the current situation for care and support workers in Aotearoa and the significance of the letter being delivered on International Women’s Day.
In our weekly interview with National’s James Meager, wire host Castor talked about the government’s mortgage tax deduction policy and fuel excise tax. The mortgage tax reduction policy allows landlords to claim tax deductions on interest from mortgages on their properties.
Notably, these tax deductions can increase to up to 100% of the mortgage interest rate, and will not apply to those who own one home.
Additionally, a week before this interview, Transport Minister Simeon Brown unveiled the government’s transport policy. While not technically introducing a fuel tax, the government does plan to increase the excise tax on fuel, which in practical terms does mean you will be taxed more on the fuel you buy. The policy has been met with controversy, especially given promises during the election campaign to not introduce a fuel tax. Castor discussed this issue with James Meager and how the decision may be seen as hypocritical.
For Dear Science this week, Dr Cushla McGoverin chatted about a weird use for barnacles, sleep improving vaccination effectiveness, and collagen in the human body.
Wire host Castor spoke to National’s James Meager about the mortgage tax deductions policy and increases to the fuel excise tax.
He also spoke to Bike Auckland’s chair Karen Hormann about the organisation and National’s new transport policy.
Producer Sofia spoke to Group Manager for Conservation Advocacy at Forest & Bird, Richard Capie, about the government’s proposed Fast Track Approvals Bill.
She also spoke to Public Service Association Delegate and Mental Health Support Worker, Christie Cox, about an open letter from care and support workers to Te Whatu Ora on International Women’s Day last week.
A new report from World Vision looking at food prices in 67 countries has found the average cost of basic food items in Aotearoa increased by 56% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This is compared to a 29% decrease in cost in Australia.
Jessica spoke to World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, about these findings.
They started off the interview by discussing what basic food items the report looked at.
Last month, the government announced Te Aka Whai Ora, or the Māori Health Authority, would be dis-established, just 18 months after it launched.
News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Auckland and Director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Marama Muru-Lanning (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua), and Senior Research Fellow at the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Dr Hilary Lapsley, about the government dis-establishing Te Aka Whai Ora and its impact on kaumatua.
For our regular catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Simon Court about the government’s proposal to fast-track the resource consent process for significant regional and national projects.
She also spoke to Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki Chairperson and former Green MP Catherine Delahunty and Climate Justice Taranaki Spokesperson Urs Signer about the government’s new fast-track consenting proposal.
She had a kōrero with Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Auckland and Director of the James Henare Māori Research Centre, Marama Muru-Lanning (Waikato, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whātua) and Senior Research Fellow Dr Hilary Lapsley about the government dis-establishing Te Whai Aka Ora, the Māori Health Authority.
And a black market for vapes has emerged in New Zealand schools, according to a report by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. Producer Ezra spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Māori Community Liaison Sharon Pihema about this.
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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