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.
Last night Republican Donald Trump won the United States election, sweeping battleground states and taking more than the 270 electoral college votes required to win.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about who voted for Trump yesterday and students’ reactions to the election outcome.
They then spoke to political commentator and former political show host at Radioactive Tom Unger, who is on the ground in New Jersey, about the reaction from both campaigns and the general public to Trump’s win.
And they spoke to Associate Professor in Law Scott Optican from the University of Auckland about the ramifications of Trump winning as a convicted felon, as well as the potential impacts of a Trump presidency in Aotearoa.
Earlier this week the Government announced that it would introduce the controversial Treaty Principles Bill today, over a week earlier than its original date for introduction on November 18th.
The Bill has received much criticism, with a nationwide hīkoi in protest planned for next week to coincide with its introduction.
Producer Sofia spoke to Te Tiriti o Waitangi expert, Professor Margaret Mutu (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua), from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts, as well as lecturer at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Waikato-Tainui, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), about the Bill and the nationwide hīkoi that coincides with it.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire Host Caeden speaks to Willow-Jean Prime about the Treaty Principles Bill, Labour calling for a pause in Gumboot Friday’s funding, and a leaked document showing force will be allowed against young people in the Government’s bootcamps for youth offenders.
And for State of the States, following Trump’s win yesterday, they speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News, political commentator Tom Unger, and University of Auckland’s Professor of Law Scott Optican.
For City Counselling this week, Sofia speaks to Councillor Julie Fairey about Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s ‘Happy Guide’ as well as Council’s decision to move the Western Springs speedway
She also speaks to the University of Auckland’s Professor Margaret Mutu about the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced today - over a week earlier than its original date.
She also speaks to lecturer at the University of Auckland and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi, about the nationwide hīkoi planned for the week the Bill was originally meant to be introduced.
For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about proposed cuts to Aotearoa’s long term child poverty reduction goals by Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, Louise Upston, as well Todd McClay’s new charter for recreational hunting and fishing and the Green party’s calls to ban bottom trawling.
He spoke to Sarita Divis from the child poverty action group for an expert opinion on the Louise Upston’s decision to reduce child poverty reduction targets.
For this week’s Get Action! He speak to Rachel Jaboon from the Victoria African Diaspora Student Association to discuss a petition of hers calling for the Wellington government to make the CBD safer for Rangatahi and students.
And He spoke to Dr Timothy Fadgen from the University of Auckland to talk about how Donald Trump might raise allegations of voter fraud if he loses the upcoming U.S elections, as American voters head to the polls today.
Sasha spoke to Professor Simon Thrush, from the institute of Marine Science about the past week’s commonwealth ocean declaration
And he spoke to Emily Hall from the SAFE organisation calling for changes to New Zealand’s animal welfare and banning rodeo events.
Commonwealth countries have recently adopted the Apia Ocean Declaration for One Resilient Common Future, which calls for an importance to restore and preserve all amenities of the ocean for future generations.
The declaration was signed last week in Samoa, and includes fifty-six independent sovereign states. Addressing the ocean through a declaration is inherently important, but due to the wide scope and similar previous declarations, experts question whether it will lead to real action.
Sasha spoke to Professor of the Marine Institute from the University of Auckland, Simon Thrush, about the recent commonwealth ocean declaration and potential implications.
The new rodeo season commenced this past Sunday the 3rd of November, and animal rights organisation SAFE is calling for a ban on this sport.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall spoke to Sasha about these rodeo events, stating that they breach the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act. There are many other issues with the rodeo sport industry, as for example it is not necessary for the organisations to report deaths or injuries unless requested.
Oto reached out to Sarita Divis from the Child Poverty Action Group for her organisation’s take on the proposed changes to Child Poverty Reduction goals by Minister Louise Upston.
This comes after Louise Upston, called for a statutory review of New Zealand’s current 10-year child poverty reduction targets, and subsequent reduction of them, in a recently revealed document.
The Child Poverty Action Group have officially criticised the review, saying that the current goals were important for reducing child poverty and have called upon National to retain them.
The United States General Elections are officially being held today, and thousands of American citizens are rushing to polling stations to cast their vote for the next leader of the world’s largest superpower.
The two prospective candidates, Donald J. Trump of the Republican party, and Kamala Harris of the Democrats, are expected to be neck and neck in the polls, with the final outcome of the election to be won only by a slim margin.
However, a number of experts have purported that, in the possible event of his election loss, Donald Trump may denounce the results and accuse the US electoral college of fraud, a call that may lead to widespread uproar from his devoted supporters.
Oto spoke to Dr Timothy Fadgen, a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland on Donald Trump’s possible reaction to the results of the US General Elections in the event that he loses, and the potential of him decrying the US electoral college.
Several protests are taking place on the 5th of November and the rest of the week outside branches of the bank ASB across the country.
These protests are being organised as part of Justice for Palestine’s ‘Don’t Bank on Apartheid’ campaign who oppose the companies investment practices which, they say, are financing Israel’s actions in the Westbank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
The campaign is calling for ASB to end their investments in the communications company Motorola Solutions Incorporated and say that if ASB does not divest from Motorola Solutions, then a number of their customers will switch banks.
Producer Josef spoke to Nadia Abu-Shanab, a member of Justice for Palestine and a Campaign Organiser for 'Don’t Bank on Apartheid,' about the protests, boycotting, and why ASB specifically is being targeted by the protests.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Dr Mike Lee, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Auckland Business School on the sustainability issues associated with Halloween and growing anti-consumerism movements.
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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