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.
Elder Abuse is misunderstood, and difficult to spot, with many common forms often going unnoticed. These include psychological and financial abuse, as well as the more talked about physical elder abuse.
Olivia talked to Age Concern New Zealand’s Educator of Elder Abuse and Neglect, Hanny Naus about this issue. Hanny discussed the means of identifying possible abuse, and what people can do if they do suspect it.
Earlier this week the new National ACT and NZ First government announced that in order to fund Nationals promised tax cuts they will be making changes to the Smoke free Legislation.
This includes revoking the ban on the sale of cigarettes to future generations, reducing nicotine levels and limiting the number of tobacco retailers.
Many organisations have come forward to express their concern about this change including the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand.
This morning Rawan spoke with the foundation’s CEO, Letitia Harding about the negative health impacts of this change, National’s claim that the legislation would lead to a growth in the black market and what we need to do to protect Aotearoa’s youth from lung and heart disease.
This Week on Get Action!, Olivia spoke with Hinauri Apa-Fepulea’i, about her team’s Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty, which calls for the Government to phase out fossil fuel usage and production, as well as preventing new coal, oil, and gas developments.
Hinauri discussed why this treaty is important, the three pillars of the treaty, and where people can go to learn more, and support this cause.
For our weekly catch up with the Green Party Rawan spoke with Party Co-Leader James Shaw about some of the issues they have recently voiced concerns about.
First off Rawan asked about their push for progress on protection around the Hauraki Gulf. Earlier this week the green party wrote to the incoming government, to call for the progression without delay of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill. James also spoke about the importance of this bill and the need for ocean protection in the Hauraki gulf.
They then discussed the party’s recent petition to save the oil and gas ban, which the new government plans to lift. James spoke about the pressing need for banning oil and gas exploration and what the alternative options are.
Finally Rawan asked about the party’s stance on the new government's changes to the smoke free legislations and what this could mean for New Zealanders.
This morning, a convoy of eight trucks crossed Harbour Bridge to provide 100 kilometres of fencing to be donated to farmers affected by the cyclones. This was part of a Farmers Community Connect event, organised by Rapid Relief Team New Zealand, to provide assistance and advice to farmers.
Olivia talked to Director at Rapid Relief Team New Zealand, Danny Blampied, about this initiative, and the support Rapid Relief Team provides more generally.
This week for our catchup with Dr Reti, the discussion centred around the National Party’s commitment to repeal Labour’s smokefree 2025 plan.
As a part of their coalition agreement the National Party agreed to scrap legislation that would have reportedly saved thousands of lives as well as saving the New Zealand healthcare system 1.3 billion dollars over 20 years.
The discussion began with questions regarding Dr Reti’s new ministerial appointments including his appointment as the minister for pacific peoples.
Nicholas began by asking him what his top priorities are in that portfolio.
Feral and unashamed, pigeons are the hallmark of any great city.
But the line between urban legend and rat with wings is blurred, leaving the pigeon an animal of mystery and intrigue.
Once domesticated pets, pigeons now roam the streets as one of the biggest birds on the block.
It is estimated that there are between 250 to 400 million feral pigeons globally, raising the question: are there too many?
Sofia spoke to bird connoisseur and Auckland Regional Representative for Birds New Zealand, Ian Mclean, for insight into the complex existence of feral pigeons.
For our weekly segment, Nicholas caught up with the National Party’s Dr Shane Reti. We spoke about the National’s plan to repeal the previous Labour Governments’ smokefree 2025 plan.
Nicholas also conducted a special report on the objectives outlined in Labour’s smokefree 2025 plan.
Producer Beth speaks to Founder and Director of Green Bottle NZ Neil Pollett about Drink Different an initiative Founder and Director of Green Bottle NZ Neil Pollett about Drink Different
Producer Lou Sue Garland, Donor Coordinator for Organ Donation New Zealand about organ donation thank you day.
Spike reports on protesters blockading the Ports of Auckland entrance to stop the entry of an Israeli-owned shipping vessel and its goods last week.
Sofia spoke to Auckland Regional representative for Birds Aotearoa, Ian Mclean, about the complex history of the feral city pigeon.
Last year alone, SIXTY THREE deceased organ donors, with support from whānau, donated organs following death, providing lifesaving kidney, liver, lung, heart or pancreas transplants for ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR kiwis.
On Thursday, 30th November, Organ Donation New Zealand and organ donation recipients across the country will come together to say thanks to everyone involved in making organ donation possible.
Lou talked to Sue Garland, Donor Coordinator for Organ Donation New Zealand about this day further.
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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