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.
For our regular catch-up with the Labour Party, Caeden spoke to Deputy Leader, Carmel Sepuloni, about the 2023 Pacific Islands Forum.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker, about his concerns that Aotearoa is entering a ‘fifth wave’ of Covid-19.
Producer Beth spoke to Counsellor for Waitakere, Shane Henderson, about the Council’s consultation on government direction and improvement to Tāmaki Makaurau’s freshwater and community involvement in freshwater management
She spoke to Professor of Law at the University of Auckland Claire Charters about the relationship between co-governance, te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, and how our co-governance arrangement could better reflect te Tiriti and the rights of indigenous peoples
She also spoke to Volunteer at the Better NZ Trust Rob Birnie about national support for the Clean Car Discount and the National Party’s plan to scrap the policy
Producer Castor spoke to Professor of Environment at the University of Auckland, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves across Aotearoa and its negative consequences for the environment.
In the past week, Te Whatu Ora have reported more than FIVE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED active cases of Covid-19 and more than TWO HUNDRED hospitalisations, the highest hospitalisation figure in six months.
But those under 30 are still not eligible for a second booster and preventative antiviral medication is not easily accessible.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker about why he believes Aotearoa is experiencing a ‘fifth wave’ of Covid-19, what may have caused it, and what we can do to avoid spreading the virus.
Councils across Aotearoa have been removing mangroves for various reasons including for aesthetics, beach access, and reduced muddiness.
However, mangroves actually reduce muddiness on their own, as well as supporting local ecosystems and minimising flood risk.
Producer Castor spoke to University of Auckland Professor of Environment, Giovanni Coco, about the removal of mangroves and how this can harm New Zealand’s wetlands and estuaries.
Activists continue to work towards achieving climate justice. Many have emphasised that climate change is not just an environmental issue, but also a social and economic issue that affects every part of our lives.
For Get Action! This week, our segment where we talk to people campaigning for different causes, Olivia spoke to ActionStation's Climate Justice Campaigner, Pania Rei, about the importance of indigenous perspectives in achieving climate justice, and about her work in this area.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand has released a patient handbook, which includes information about patient conditions, and recommendations for COPD treatments and managements.
Olivia spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ’s Education and Development Manager, Joanna Turner, about what COPD is, and steps people can take to prevent and mitigate it.
For our weekly catch up with the Green Party Rawan spoke with Green MP Ricardo Menendez March.
They spoke about the Greens record election results and what this will mean moving forward.
They also spoke about the Waiheke ferry services and the party’s campaign for subsidised transport especially with the new ferry service Island direct launching this week.
Rawan then asked about the Green Party’s support of Palestine and their involvement with recent Pro-Palestine marches.
Antony Lowenstein is a Jewish-Australian Journalist and Author who has reported on Palestine for many years and at the beginning of this year published a book titled the Palestine Laboratory.
The book looked at how Israel has been, for many years, testing military and surveillance equipment on Palestinians.
Rawan spoke to him months ago about the book and today they discussed the current Israel and Palestine conflict.
Rawan started off by asking him about his time living in occupied Palestine from 2016 to 2020 and what Palestine was like before October 7th.
They then discussed the content of his book and the way it links to the United States’ support of Israel.
They then talked about Western mainstream media coverage of the issue as well as his view on pro-Palestine marches as someone who is part of the jewish community.
Yesterday was World diabetes day, a day to raise awareness about diabetes and battle some of the stigma around the disease.
This morning Rawan spoke with Dr Anna Serlachius, senior lecturer of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, about a new research project looking at stigma and discrimination amongst those with diabetes.
Rawan asked her about the importance of world diabetes day, what her research found about diabetes stigma and what we and the health system can do to make it easier for those with diabetes.
Host Rawan spoke to Green Party MP, Ricardo Menendez March, about election results, Waiheke ferry services, and their attendance at pro Palestine marches.
She also spoke with author and journalist, Antony Loewenstein, about Palestine before the current war and Israel’s connections with the west.
And she chatted to Senior Lecturer in Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, Dr Anna Serlachius, about discrimination against diabetes patients.
Producer Olivia spoke to ActionStation’s climate spokesperson, Pania Rei (Ngāti Toa Rangatira), about climate justice and the importance of including indigenous perspectives.
She also spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Education and Development Manager, Joanna Turner, about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Forrest and Birds’ Bird of the Century campaign went viral after British Comedian John Oliver rallied in support of the Pūteketeke.
However, behind the viral clips and passionate campaigns there is a a more serious element to the campaign that is aimed at increasing awareness about conservation efforts.
Nicholas spoke to Ellen Rykers from Forest and Bird New Zealand about how this years campaign has gone and ways that the public can help contribute to conservation efforts.
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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