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.
Research from the University of Auckland has found reducing meat and dairy consumption within families could also reduce that family’s greenhouse gas emissions.
I spoke to one of the study’s lead authors and honours student at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Eli Kliejunas, about the research and how changing our eating habits could help us meet our climate targets.
A new poll by Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the Human Rights Commission, has revealed a majority of the New Zealand public support partnership between Māori and non-Māori surrounding Te Tiriti.
The poll investigated a range of public opinions surrounding Te Tiriti, including attitudes towards its role in politics and education.
Castor spoke to Human Rights Commission Senior Communications Advisor Aaron Packard about how the poll results reflect public opinion and how this could influence the incoming government.
With the mental health system not being able to support many New Zealanders’ mental health needs, experts have proposed alternatives to expensive treatments. One such alternative is group therapy, which experts have said has many benefits, including an increased sense of community between participants, and decreased costs for treatment.
Olivia spoke to public health physician and Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Dr Kaaren Mathias, about the importance of group therapy, and where the public can go to access these services.
Since October, the Gaza Strip has been experiencing one of the largest escalations of violence it has seen in years, with the death toll of civilians killed by Israeli airstrikes surpassing 13,000 as of 22 November.
UNICEF have described the conflict as a humanitarian crisis that will cause lifelong psychological trauma for Gaza's children.
Senior Lecturer in Comparative and International Education at the University of Auckland, Dr Ritesh Shah, published a report in January in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council, detailing the impacts of the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East-Jerusalem on the optimism and mental health of Palestinian children, prior to 7 October, with a particular focus on the role of education and the impact of COVID-19 and home-based learning on their wellbeing.
Oto spoke to Dr Shah about his research in the occupied Palestinian territories, the state of Palestinian children's mental health, and measures introduced by NGOs and the UN to create safer learning and working environments for Palestinian students and teachers.
Wellington city councillor, Nikau wi neera, has been involved with the Palestinian cause even before the start of the current conflict.
Not only has he been a speaker at more recent Palestine Solidarity marches he also helped lead the start of a sister city partnership with Ramallah, a city in Palestine region.
Rawan spoke to him this morning about his involvement with Pro Palestine marches and the significance of indigenous support from Aotearoa, from both iwi and political parties.
They then discussed the sister city partnership with Ramallah, looking at how it started and how the current conflict will impact the process.
Big food and alcohol company lobbying is prevalent in New Zealand. Corporations influence research and policy regarding food and alcohol, which can be disadvantageous for people’s health.
Experts have criticised this influence, and our lack of lobbying regulations. Olivia spoke to Co-Chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa and Professor at the University of Auckland, Boyd Swinburn, about this issue, and what action he wants the incoming Government to take.
Some businesses have proposed the need for tougher laws on people who are homeless, including trespassing people for anti-social behaviour. Organisations have criticised this approach, saying that harsh punishments are not the answer.
Olivia spoke to Lifewise Chief Executive Officer, Haehaetu Barrett, about these proposed laws, and possible alternatives for mitigating homelessness.
A survey of Pharmacists from around Aotearoa on the impact of fees free prescriptions found that a majority of respondents recognised significant benefits from the removal of copay prescriptions.
The survey found that 92% of pharmacists that responded were able to have longer conversations with patients, and 94% agreed that patients no longer had to choose which medications to leave behind.
A collective of pharmacists who responded to the survey are calling on the National Party to rethink their policy to reintroduce the previous copay system.
Nicholas spoke to Sir Collin Tukuitonga about the National Party’s plan to reinstate prescription fees.
He began by asking him how the previous system worked.
This week Allan joined the crew to discuss allegations of manipulated data that supported a major stroke trial and important Alzheimer’s research, new research into the factors that influence decisions made by chess players and a new intravenous needle that softens once in the body.
Nicholas caught up with the National Party's Dr Shane Reti about the National Party's plan to reinstate prescription fees and Labour leader Chris Hipkins calling for a ceasefire.
Nicholas also spoke to Sir Collin Tukuitonga about the benefits of not having prescription fees on medicine.
Nicholas also spoke to John Middleton, a linguist who is working to revive the language of the Moriori people.
Producer Sofia talked to Michelle Le Long from PD Pet Insurance about pet diabetes in Aotearoa
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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