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.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour spokesperson for Auckland and Rainbow issues Shanan Halbert about the new Federal Street Police Station in the Auckland CBD, a potential 70% surge in Public Transport pricing, and an evidence brief on Puberty Blockers from the Ministry of Health.
For State of the States this week they speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about new targeted tariffs proposed by Trump, the case against Trump for election interference being dropped, and the new Attorney-General Nominee.
For City Counselling this week, Sofia speaks to Councillor Shane Henderson about the new police station on Federal Street in Auckland CBD which was announced earlier this week.
She also speaks to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, Mark Henaghan, about calls to reform children’s housing rights.
And she speaks to Researcher at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Dr Olga Pantos, who is on the ground in Busan, Korea for the final International Plastics Treaty negotiations.
What does the future hold for the world’s children? Twenty-fifty is now twenty-six years away, and a recent report made by UNICEF makes predictions based off of three megatrends they have developed.
By the twenty-fifties, the global child population is expected to stabilise at 2.3 billion, the most substantial areas of growth being in South Asia and most of the African continent. These areas already struggle to meet children’s basic needs, which are also now affected by a rapidly changing climate and a lack of adequate digital infrastructure.
Half of the world’s children today - 1 billion - live in countries where there is a greater risk of climate and environmental hazards. Adding on to this is the gradual increase of urbanisation, the development of compact city living. Without adequate infrastructure to support this influx, these factors will jeopardise the future development of children.
The future is ours to shape, and to continue down a ‘business as usual’ is the easiest path, but will create a worse reality. To understand these ideas in full, Sasha spoke to UNICEF Aotearoa Director of Communications, Tania Sawicki Mead about the recent report and its implications for the future of global childhood.
For our weekly catch up with the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March, News and Editorial Director, Joel, speaks to him about the gang patch ban coming into effect last week, as well as New Zealand's fall in ranking on the Climate Change Performance Index and The Ministry of Health's evidence brief and position statement on puberty blockers.
Wire Host Oto speaks to a representative of the student led-advocacy group - We Are the University, Java Grant, and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work and member of the Tertiary Education Union, Sean Sturn, about a recent protest led by students and lecturers outside the University of Auckland’s new Recreation centre.
Producer Sasha speaks to UNICEF Aotearoa Director of Communications, Tania Sawicki Mead about the recent State of the World’s Children Report and its implications for the future of childhood.
Oto speaks to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, Treasa Dunworth, about the arrest issued by the International Criminal Court towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister - Yoav Gallant
And Oto also speaks to Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, Bronwyn Hayward, on the recent COP29 summit in Azerbaijan and whether or not it effectively addressed climate change.
On the 25th of November, the University of Auckland’s new recreation and wellness centre officially opened for students and staff members.
The recreation centre boasts a 26,000 square metre facility equipped with amenities such as an 8-lane swimming pool, two sports halls and a large gym.
However, around the time of the centre’s opening, a protest was held outside the building by students, lecturers, university staff and members of the Tertiary education union in opposition to the rec centres opening and the expenditure that went into it.
According to the protestors in attendance, the $320 million expenditure that went into the rec centre’s development could not be justified, while staff were still fighting for fair pay agreements with university management and while numerous courses are facing cuts.
Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to Java Grant - A Representative of the student led-advocacy group - We Are the University, and Sean Sturn - an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Member of the Tertiary Education Union, to discuss why the protest outside the new rec centre was held, and the concerns that staff and students had with UoA management.
The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP29, concluded in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku last week.
This year’s climate change conference was particularly controversial, with the host - Azerbaijan, being a major oil producer, with almost 2,000 lobbyists from the oil and gas industry attending and with many small island nation states in attendance objecting to the conference’s $300 billion financial agreement to help them address the impacts of extreme weather events.
Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to Bronwyn Hayward a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, to discuss the outcomes of the COP29 conference and the New Quantified Goal in Climate Finance that came from it.
Last week, Judges at the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister - Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence minister - Yoav Gallant and the military commander of Hamas - Mohammad Deif.
As a result of the warrants, any countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court would be required to arrest those charged and hand them over to the court in the Hague.
The move is considered to be particularly significant, as it’s the first incident in which the leaders of a western-allied country are receiving warrants from the court.
Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to Treasa Dunworth - An Associate Professor in the Faculty of :aw at the University of Auckland, to discuss the warrants, their significance and efficacy.
A team of scientists at the University of Auckland have recently received a $1 million grant to investigate the link between babies having low weight at birth, and developing heart problems later in life. The team will be using virtual models of the heart and placenta.
Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, at the University of Auckland, Alys Clark, who will co-lead the study alongside fellow academic, Jo James, about how the study will be conducted, and what the team hopes to achieve with its findings.
A recent report by Age Concern has revealed 59% of people aged 65 or older experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation, of which 30% experienced those feelings often or always. These results indicate what is being called a “loneliness epidemic”.
Producer Athena spoke to Joyce Cook Chair in Aging Well, and Professor at the University of Auckland, Ngaire Kerse, about how the loneliness epidemic among older people arose, the effects of loneliness and isolation, and potential ways to address the issue.
For Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about amphibian fossils in Wyoming and squirting cucumbers.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about last week’s gang patch ban and Aotearoa’s emissions targets in light of COP29.
They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Information and Technology in Monash University in Melbourne, Jathan Sadowski about Artificial Intelligence and work.
Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s Bioengineering Institute, Alys Clark, about research into the link between the placenta and the heart using virtual models.
They also spoke to Joyce Cook Chair in Aging Well and Professor at the University of Auckland, Ngaire Kerse, about the loneliness epidemic among older people.
New technologies have always been announced and marketed as ways to advance society and push humanity forward. This past couple of years the hot new technology seems to be generative AI, which from its inception now sees use across almost every sector. From digital marketing to google to facebook, no part of the internet seems exempt from artificial intelligence.
The mass use of artificial intelligence has, however, raised alarm bells for some, who say its use and spread may disproportionately affect some groups of people. Wire host Castor spoke to Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Information and Technology in Monash University in Melbourne, Jathan Sadowski, about how new technology, particularly AI, seems to always benefit those on top.
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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