Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Jessica Hopkins, Castor Chacko, Nicholas Lindstrom, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
The UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, recorded that 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2023 due to conflict, violence, or climate-related disasters - a record number.
In light of World Refugee Day last week, Dr Ritesh Shah, a senior lecturer of comparative and international education in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland, says that the global refugee crisis is a symptom of a failed global system.
Host Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Ritesh about the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which provides the internationally recognized definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive, as well as the global refugee crisis more generally.
Last week United States bank Wells Fargo made headlines for firing a dozen employees who were caught faking working from home.
Wells Fargo has started monitoring employees' computers which showed software being used to establish fake activity from employees’ computers.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to the University of Auckland’s Dr Emmy van Esch about this Wells Fargo example and the ethics of monitoring employees' computers more generally.
New Zealand recognises the threat of climate change to Pacific nations but this is not reflected in our immigration policies.
As environmental disasters increasingly impact the pacific, many are calling for these laws to be reviewed to make migration more accessible.
Wire Host Caeden spoke about this issue with World Vision’s Dr Olivia Yates. They started by asking why there is a need to introduce new immigration policy relating to climate change in the Pacific.
New Caledonia has been dominating headlines recently for ongoing riots and indigenous opposition against an attempt from France to tighten their political control over the territory.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to indigenous Kanak youth co-ordinator Viro Xulue about recent developments in their fight against French rule on this issue and more generally.
We also spoke about his comments that New Zealanders, especially Māori, should be standing in solidarity with the Kanak people.
He encourages everyone to write to their MPs in support of New Caledonian independence from France and to also organise and attend rallies for this cause.
They started by asking what the current situation is.
The rising cost of living in Aotearoa is pushing many families out of cities and bringing them to smaller rural communities and towns.
The influx of new residents and housing developments in these areas is having a massive impact on the schools and teachers within those communities, reshaping the identity of the schools and the way they structure themselves.
Oto spoke to Dr Jennifer Tatebe, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland, to discuss the impacts of urbanisation on rural schools.
The current coalition government has decided not to implement Labour’s plans to do mandatory reporting for pay gaps with companies that have more than 250 employees.
Instead they will introduce a voluntary tool for companies to use in order to determine Gender pay gaps.
Rawan spoke with Senior human rights advisor Oliver Christeller from the Human rights commission about what this tool is and what the benefits could be.
They also talked about the Commissioners' call to include ethnicity pay gap into the conversation. They discussed the current state of the ethnicity pay gap and why there needs to be an increased focus on this now more than ever.
For our regular catch-up, temporary Wire host Caeden speaks to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about scrutiny week and the high number of people leaving Aotearoa.
They also speak to SAFE’s Emma Brodie about the Government’s delay on banning Greyhound racing.
Producer Rawan spoke with Dr Laura Revell from the University of Canterbury about a new international study showing the harmful impacts of old satellites on the ozone layer.
She also spoke with Senior human rights advisor Oliver Christeller from the Human rights commission about the importance of including the ethnicity pay gap in the conversation.
For this Week’s Get Action! Producer Oto spoke to Alex Johnston from Common Grace Aotearoa, to talk about a petition of his calling for the government to end carbon offset subsidies to polluting industries.
This week is scrutiny week in Parliament. This is a chance for the opposition to question relevant Ministers about the budget in select committees, and for the public to see the inner workings of government questioned in an accessible way.
Some of the headlines to have come out of this week include discussions of New Zealand failing to uphold climate commitments, supporting media, and what makes this country liveable in light of the high numbers of New Zealanders moving overseas.
For our weekly catch-up with Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March Wire host Caeden asks about all these topics.
They started by asking about what scrutiny week means.
Yesterday the Abuse in Care Inquiry was released to the public. It came with a set of formal recommendations, including a suggestion for a formal apology from the government, compensation, and new legislation to do with mandatory reporting.
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also acknowledged Labour’s role in beginning the inquiry and their response to the 2021 interim report, stating, “We didn't do enough and the ball now falls to you and your government.” He added that “this must be bigger than politics.”
And Data released last week showed the number of benefit sanctions being issued by the government is up 50% compared to this time last year. This has been met with criticism but the Minister for Social Development says the sanctions are because the government is serious about getting people into work.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asks about both of these topics, as well as a bill that was dumped yesterday because the Minister failed to turn up to its first reading.
They started by asking about the number of benefit sanctions.
As Auckland Council plans to review its operating model for pool and leisure services, the Public Service Association has criticised moves to privatise management without public consultation.
Additionally, Auckland Transport has introduced a $50 fare cap for buses, ferries, and trains.
Producer Sofia spoke to counsellor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.
Last week Associate Minister of Health, David Seymour, laid out his expectations for Pharmac for the upcoming year.
Some of what was in his letter of expectations has caused much public discourse - particularly the point in which Seymour says Te Tiriti o Waitangi shouldn’t be considered in decision making at Pharmac.
Te Pāti Māori has called for Seymour to step down from his role as Associate Minister of Health, and one of Pharmac’s directors, Anthony Jordan, has resigned from his role, saying the removal of Treaty principles from Pharmac did not align with his own morals and ethics.
Given the overwhelming evidence of poorer health outcomes for Māori, producer Evie spoke to the ACT party’s Simon Court about the reasoning behind these expectations, and the party’s feelings about the backlash.
The government’s controversial “boot camps” for youth offenders begin on the 29th of July. These boot camps have been the subject of recent news due to their huge cost and military component.
The arrival of boot camps comes as funding has been slashed at Oranga Tamariki, causing the organisation to abruptly cancel hundreds of contracts. These contracts included organisations who say the work they do is “frontline” despite the Government stating their funding cuts won’t impact frontline workers.
Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour Spokesperson for Children and Youth, Willow-Jean Prime about both of these topics.
A petition was recently started by members of Students for Justice in Palestine Pōneke calling for Victoria University of Wellington to Divest its funding from the state of Israel, Implement a Boycott, Divest, Sanctions policy, and establish scholarships and fellowships for Palestinian students and academics.
Since the petition was launched last week, it’s received almost 200 signatures from Victoria university students, faculty and members of the public.
For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Ayah Kayed from Students for Justice in Palestine Pōneke to discuss the petition and it’s calls to Victoria university.
Last week the Government released its five point climate action plan. This follows recent decisions from the government such as a reversal on the oil and gas exploration ban, and the removal of the clean car discount, both of which have been met with backlash from many environmental groups.
For our weekly catch up I spoke to the ACT party’s Simon Court about this climate action plan. We also talk about renewed calls from the party to abolish the Human rights commission. As well as a new member's bills that would prohibit regional councils from considering climate change in their decisions.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced a new climate strategy. The strategy is based on five core pillars, including:
Infrastructure is resilient and communities are well prepared
Credible markets support the climate transition
Clean energy is abundant and affordable
World-leading climate innovation boosts the economy
And nature-based solutions address climate change.
This strategy has been met with controversy, with Greenpeace describing it as being “as useful as teats on a bull.”
Wire Host Caeden asked Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about this new climate strategy as well as about the recent controversy surrounding former Green MP Darleen Tana.
They started by asking for her thoughts on the government’s new Climate strategy.
The National-led government has proposed increasing speed limits across Aotearoa.
They’ve also opted not to go ahead with any of the recommendations of the 2023 Local Government Review, which aimed to improve Local Government and Local Government elections.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shane Henderson from Auckland Council about increasing speed limits in Auckland and the improvements Local Government still needs.
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