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 latest unemployment figures were released last week, and now stand at 5.1% - this is the highest since September of 2020, and a number that has been steadily rising since 2022.
Economist and Policy Director at The New Zealand Council of Trade Union’s Craig Renney says that there are much more complex and worrying numbers behind this number of 5%.
Producer Evie spoke to Renney about why our unemployment numbers continue to rise, how the government can help people get back into work and whether we’re going to see an ease in these numbers anytime soon.
For their weekly catch up with the Green Party Oto spoke to Ricardo Menendez March to Shane Jones’s new mining strategy and critical minerals list, as well as his and NZ First leader Winston Peter’s comments in Parliament about migrants and the Kāinga ora Turnaround plan introduced by Chris Bishop.
He spoke to Dulani Jayasuriya - A senior lecturer in the accounting and finance Department at the University of Auckland, about the Deepseek AI model developed in China and how it might impact businesses here in Aotearoa.
And he spoke to Antje Fielder, Senior Lecturer in Management and International Business at the University of Auckland, to discuss US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China and how they will impact exporters.
Sasha spoke to the Professor of Law and Business at The University of Auckland, Alexandra Andhov, about the idea of the Trump Crypto Launch.
And he spoke to Justin O’ Sullivan from the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, about the government lifting the ban on genetic research.
95bFM producer Castor spoke with President of the Post Primary Teachers Association, Chris Abercrombie, the effectiveness of the charter school model and what more the government could do for existing public schools.
Gene technology in the medical sector has been banned in New Zealand for nearly thirty years, however as of 2 months ago, a new bill lifting the ban has passed the first reading within parliament.
The legislation is based on Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000. Similarly, a regulator will be established and will be supported by an office, a technical advisory committee and a Māori advisory committee. This regulator is to manage potential risks to human health and the environment.
Professor Justin O’ Sullivan from the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, welcomes the new changes. Sasha spoke to him about potential breakthroughs in cancer research, rare diseases, and a wider conversation of ethics.
Donald Trump, inaugurated nearly two weeks ago, launched his own meme coin, a cryptocurrency that originates from a personality or internet culture. The coin was launched on January 17th, two days before his entering into office, and has now accumulated close to 100 million in trading fees over this time.
The coin reached 14.5 billion dollars overall market value, now falling by two-thirds its original value. Questions have been raised about conflicts of interest, and intersection of business and government.
Sasha spoke to Professor of Law and Business at The University of Auckland, Alexandra Andhov, about the Trump Crypto Launch and the wider influence of meme coins and cryptocurrency.
For Dear Science this week, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin, chatted with us about applications of quantum technology in computing, communication, and sensing.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tim Costley about the new charter school program and the Dunedin hospital rebuild
Producer Athena spoke to Economist and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Dr Susan St John, about how cuts to social services will deepen inequality.
They also spoke to Brian Coote chair in private law and Professor at the University of Auckland, Jodi Gardner, about research into frameworks for addressing institutional child abuse.
Proper compensation for survivours of institutional child sexual abuse has long been a difficult issue to navigate, as current frameworks across commonwealth jurisdictions leave many questions regarding financial redress unanswered.
In light of New Zealand's recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, as well as Australia’s 2017 Royal Commission, and a 2022 independent inquiry from England and Wales, a team of legal experts from New Zealand, Australia, and the UK will be investigating, and comparing each jurisdiction to develop appropriate frameworks for addressing institutional abuse.
Producer Athena spoke to Brian Coote Chair in Private Law, and Professor at the University of Auckland, Dr Jodi Gardner, about the importance of this research, and what the team hopes to develop.
Following a year of Government Budget cuts in response to the current recession, economists and social service workers have expressed concern about the effects current fiscal policies will have on New Zealanders.
In December 2024, Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, revealed that the government's plans to reduce social service spending could lead to 3900 jobs being cut. Around the same time, Auckland City Mission CEO, Helen Robinson, warned that food banks face closures in 2025.
Producer Athena spoke to Economist, and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, Dr Susan St John, about how the recession, and cuts to social services will affect New Zealanders.
The government has announced the reversal of blanket speed limit restrictions in 38 sections of New Zealand’s road network with new Transport Minister, Chris Bishop, announcing a further 49 sections will be set to be reviewed during public consultation in the coming months.
This would increase the speed limits in multiple areas, from the Northland region to the top of the South Island.
These developments have faced mixed reactions, with many local leaders deeming this move “reckless”.
There are concerns that in certain regions, the reversal of speed limits would be on stretches of roads that have schools, a shared pathway, and communities.
On Friday, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Transport Planner for Movement; an alliance of national organisations advocating for safe and accessible active transport in Aotearoa that had previously placed an application for judicial review into the decision, Bevan Woodward, about the government changes to speed limit restrictions, and the group’s concerns regarding this.
They started off by asking if there was adequate reasoning for the reversal of speed limits in these sections.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to him about issues with the government’s ‘revamped’ school lunches programme, oral submissions on the Treaty Principals Bill, and ‘xenophobic’ comments made by NZ First MPs in Parliament.
Joel also spoke to the Transport Planner for Movement; an alliance of national organisations advocating for safe and accessible active transport in Aotearoa, Bevan Woodward, about the government changes to speed limit restrictions.
Producer Evie spoke to Massey University's Professor of Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation, Ralph Sims, about the government’s second climate target for 2035.
Joel spoke to the President of Renters United, Zac Thomas, about the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill coming into effect as of Thursday last week, which would grant landlords the right for no-cause evictions.
And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio to discuss AI.
Last week the government announced their second climate target, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
The target outlines how much emissions need to be cut by 2035. The government has chosen a target of getting emissions down by 51 - 55% compared to 2005 levels. This is only 1% higher than their previous target.
The announcement has been slated as unambitious, particularly in relation to comparable nations, as well as developing countries.
However, with the proposed climate policies from the government, many of which aren’t even in place yet, Aotearoa isn’t forecasted to reach this goal.
On Friday, Producer Evie spoke to Massey University's Professor of Sustainable Energy and Climate Mitigation, Ralph Sims about the target and how realistic it really is.
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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