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.
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.
This week for our catchup with Dr. Reti, the discussion centered around the National Party’s proposed Foreign Buyers Tax.
Nicholas also asked Dr. Reti about his party’s wider tax policy, including their Party leaders' promise to deliver tax relief for low and middle-income New Zealanders.
Nicholas began by asking Dr. Reti about the criticisms aimed at the credibility of the foreign buyer's tax.
On the 5th of November in 1881, the settlement of Parihaka, where many Māori from the Taranaki region had found refuge as a result of the Land Wars, was invaded and several peaceful resistors were arrested without trial. Cultivations and livestock in the settlement were destroyed and much of the land seized. Today, Māori in Parihaka are still fighting for their rights. Climate Justice Tāranaki marked the anniversary of the event last week by implementing a peaceful blockade on The Whareroa Fonterra Dairy factory, the Kapuni Ballance fertiliser factory and the Todd Energy gas plant. Rosetta spoke to Tuhi-Ao Bailey, member of Climate Justice Tāranaki, about the relevance of climate activism today to Parihaka day. They also spoke about many pro-palestinian advocates and Te Pāti Māori’s leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer who have stated the relevance of Parihaka to the oppression of Palestinians in Gaza today.
Thanks for tuning in! E whai akei nei, on the show today…
Rosetta spoke to Nick Henry, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa, about their call for New Zealand and Australian governments to endorse the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific
She also spoke to Speaking to Susan St John, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland's Business School about The future of child poverty under a National Government and their goal to halve child poverty by 2028
Rosetta also spoke to Climate Justice Taranaki's Tuhi-Ao Bailey about the blockades of major dairy, gas, and fertiliser companies on the anniversary of the invasion of Parihaka on 5 November 1881 last week.
For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, Lou spoke with ACT MP Simon Court about any updates towards the coalition between National, ACT, and NZ First, as well as ACTs response to Chlöe Swarbick’s use of the Chant “From the River to the Sea” when calling for Palestinian liberation.
Lou also spoke with Jane Alsweiler, associate professor and neo-natal paediatrician at the University of Auckland in regards to RSV drug funding.
The National Party has promised to halve child poverty by 2028, and has committed to stick to the targets outlined in the Child Poverty Reduction Act, however many are worrying that not enough policy has been outlined in order to achieve this. The party’s policy of the Independent Earner Tax Credit will start in April next year and targets the “squeezed middle”, but will provide little relief for families who rely on welfare to survive.
Susan St John is an associate professor at the University of Auckland Business School, and has recently published an opinion piece in The Conversation, titled “If NZ’s new government wants a simple fix to improve child poverty, here’s what it should do” urging the party to do more to reduce child poverty. Rosetta spoke to her about how she believes the tax credit system needs to be altered in order to support low income families more.
In March, Ministers from six Pacific states issued the Port Vila call for a global, just and equitable phase out of coal, oil and gas, asking fellow Pacific leaders to show their support in a Leaders Declaration at the Pacific Island Forum. Social change organisation Oxfam Aotearoa has joined in support of the call, and is urging New Zealand and Australia to support a movement towards a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific.
Rosetta spoke to Nick Henry, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa about the phase out of fossil fuels, and whether or not this is a realistic movement under a National government.
On a very health-focused Wire for Rāapa Wednesday.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to NZ Drug Foundation Principal Science Advisor, Emily Hughes, about synthetic opioids being sold as other substances.
She also spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director, Sarah Dalton, about how the incoming governments proposed tax cuts could impact investment in the health sector.
And she spoke to senior research fellow at the University of Otago, Dr Julie Bennett, about World Ventil8 Day.
Arno spoke to Assistant National Secretary of the Public Services Association, Melissa Woolley, and care and support worker, Monique Behan-Kitto, about their pay equity settlement that has been delayed by Te Whatu Ora.
And he spoke to Bioengineer at the University of Auckland Dr Kelly Burrowes about new research on how vaping affects the lungs.
Today is World Ventil8 Day, which aims to highlight the importance of good ventilation for health and wellbeing.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Senior Research Fellow at the University of Otago, Dr Julie Bennett, who says New Zealand is lagging behind when it comes to indoor ventilation standards.
She started off the interview by asking Bennett about the purpose of World Ventil8 Day.
Vaping is still shrouded in a cloud of mystery, and the effects it has on our health is largely unknown. With record numbers of Kiwis turning to vapes, a lot of interest has been placed in finding out how bad they really are.
Last time Arno spoke with Dr Kelly Burrowes, bioengineering PhD at the University of Auckland, they were calling for tighter regulations on vaping. Many of these regulations are now imminent.
Dr Burrowes recently obtained two research grants that will together span a total of five years, looking into the effects of vaping on the lungs. Arno started our interview by asking about these grants.
Care and support workers are currently in the midst of a pay equity agreement, with all three major unions undertaking work to make sure workers are paid equitably.
The workers, predominantly women, last received a pay rise in 2017, and their wages have simply not matched the cost of living. In some cases workers, who often use their own cars to drive to clients, have to stay beyond their paid hours just to make sure the people they are caring for receive the appropriate care.
Te Whatu Ora has delayed the pay equity settlement, despite not being directly involved in the relationship between employees and employers. This has got some union members and representatives riled up.
Following international Care And Support day, Arno spoke to the Public Service Association assistant secretary Melissa Woolley. Arno started our interview by asking what the PSA is and what it does.
Next, Arno spoke to a Care And Support worker named Monique Behan-Kitto. They have unique insight into the struggles faced by workers and the struggle for pay equity. Arno started our interview by asking about Monique’s role as a care and support worker.
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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