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.
Laura fills in this week while Kelly's away. We kick off the show with Producer, Jean Bell, who speaks with Labour MP, Phil Twyford about the terms of eligibility for a kiwi build home.Then Jennifer-Rose Tamati, furthers the Kiwibuild conversation speaking with Claire Szabo, from Habitat for Humanity. Afterwards, we speak with Te Roopu Nahinara National Party Member Andrew Falloon. Following that, we cross the ditch to Rachel McDonald to find out what is happening over in Australia. After that, Stewart Sowman-Lund has a chat with Kevin Hackwell of Forest and Bird about how the Ministry for Primary Industries has been promoting illegal pest weeds as part of its Billion Trees Programme. And finally, I speak with Housing First Auckland project Manager, Fiona Hamilton about criticism of the homelessness count that is being conducted.
Laura Kvigstad, speaks with Housing First Auckland project Manager, Fiona Hamilton about criticism of the homelessness count that is being conducted. Last week we discussed concerns of stereotyping, sectioning and a violation of people's dignity. Hamilton took this chance to respond.
First up on today’s Wire, Harry speaks with Dr Jason Myers about the drop in HIV rates. Neutral corner looks at the decline in American patriotism. Andrew Little joins Lachlan for their regular chat, this week discussing youth justice and the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Claims Settlement Bill and. Lachlan speaks with Shaun Robinson Chief Executive of the Mental Health foundation about the rise in suicide related callouts made by police. This Day in History returns, looking at the founding of the NHS in the United Kingdom
The number of suicide attempt and threat related calls has increased by 50% over the past 5 years. Many feel police are ill equipped to de dealing with these situations, but that extra training will do little to help. Lachlan spoke with Shaun Robinson from the Mental Health Foundation about the rise in suicide related call-outs and why this is a worrying trend.
Rawinia Higgins is the Deputy Vice Chancellor Maori at Victoria University and the newly appointed Chair of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Maori - the Maori language commission. Jennifer-Rose Tamati spoke to her about the state of Te Reo in the country and what role the commission has in 2018. She first asked how she was feeling about her new role.
Will fills in hosting duties on todays show as Lillian heads off to Europe. Despite the lack of mature leadership the show still continues on with AUT's Allan Blackman joining us for Dear Science. We talk flouride, smart New Caledonian crows and scorching hot nights. Jennifer-Rose talks to the newly appointed chair of the Maori Language Commission about the future of Te Reo. Darashpreet talks to Louise Green from the New Zealand Educational Institute about planned primary school teacher strikes. And finally, Lisa talks to Barrister Catriona MacLennan about MSD debt recovery.
The High Court ruled against the Ministry of Social Development in a case of wrongful debt recovery.
The MSD was asking a solo mother of two to repay more than a $100,000 of perceived benefit, after finding out the mom had contracted loans and used a credit card.
The High Court's jugement, which should have lasting effects, reminded the MSD that loans, which constitute debt, cannot be classified as income.
Our producer Lisa Boudet speaks with barrister Catriona MacLennan about the implications of this ruling and the current mind frame of the MSD.
Music and politics have always had a strong relationship going back to the days of the Civil Rights Movement, the anti-war movement, and campaigns to combat racism. These days, artists such as Childish Gambino are pushing the boundaries visually and musically when it comes to using their art as a political vehicle. Sam Smith spoke with Patrycja Rozbickya about the intersection between music and politics.
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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