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.
Under a new government, Christopher Luxon has committed to getting rid of the offshore oil and gas exploration ban, which had been in place since 2018. This decision has caused widespread opposition and cries for a commitment toward clean energy, and the International Energy Agency has released a report condemning the plan, which they call “non-sensical” and “foolish”. Greenpeace Aotearoa has condemned Luxon’s plan, and has launched an open petition to the oil and gas industry which has gained more than 8,000 signatures.
Rosetta spoke to Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson about the policy and it’s environmental and economic impacts. She started by asking Amanda to explain what this policy would look like and how scrapping the ban would come into place.
Massey University has proposed cutting courses from the Albany science campus after the University reported a financial downturn.
These cuts would affect more than 100 jobs and cause issues for students pursuing their masters and doctorates.
Nicholas spoke to the Professor of Ecology at Massey University Dr Dianne Brunton about the University's proposed cuts to the Science Campus at Albany.
Nicholas started by asking what the cuts would mean for the science programs
The preliminary election results mean that the National Party would only have one MP of Pacific Island heritage in Parliament.
Angee Nicholas is currently ahead by just 30 votes in the Te Atatu electorate, with special votes still to be counted, it is possible that the result may change.
Nicholas spoke to the Lecturer of Language and Culture at the Auckland University of Technology Richard Pamatatau about the potential lack of Pacific representation in the National Party Caucus as well as reasons why the National Party appeals to some members of the Pacific Island community.
Nicholas started by asking Professor Pamatatau about what he thinks of the current makeup of National Caucus.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to academic and Palestinian New Zealander Dr Rand Hazou about New Zealand’s response to what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza.
Producer Nicholas spoke to Lecturer of Language and Culture at the Auckland University of Technology Richard Pamatatau about the potential lack of Pacific representation in the National Party Caucus.
He also spoke to Professor of Ecology at Massey University Dr Dianne Brunton about the University's proposed cuts to the Albany Science campus.
Outgoing Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has shown support for a humanitarian pause in Gaza and establishing humanitarian corridors to protect civilians.
But advocates say this response is not enough, with more than 60 community organisations and individuals signing an open letter to the caretaker Prime Minister and incoming Prime Minister, calling for New Zealand to take a strong stand appealing for a ceasefire and for Palestinians in Gaza to come under United Nations protection.
Approximately 2.3 million Palestinians have experienced severe shortages of water, food, electricity, medicine, and essential healthcare services, and persistent Israeli attacks for more than two weeks.
The death toll for Palestinians in Gaza is now over 5000, including 2000 children.
News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to academic and Palestinian New Zealander Dr Rand Hazou about New Zealand’s response to what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza.
She started off the interview asking Dr Hazou about his connection to Palestine.
For their post-election catch-up, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins asked Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw about his thoughts on the election result, what the new government could mean for climate action in Aotearoa, and ACT's call for a referendum on te tiriti.
Statistics New Zealand regularly conducts food price surveys, which includes supermarket groceries, takeaways and restaurants. The information is sorted by food groups. Recent data shows that the price of fruit and vegetables may finally be stabilising relative to inflation, although the price is still higher than this time last year.
To find out more, Arno spoke to James Mitchell, manager of Consumer Price Delivery at Stats NZ. Arno started our interview by asking what range of time the data collected covered.
Next, Arno spoke to Jeremy Neeve, who works at the Wellington City Mission, particularly the social supermarket; a new project aimed at replacing the traditional food bank model. Arno started our interview by asking him what they do.
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand has been operating for over a hundred years. They make sure beaches are safe to swim at. They recently issued tips on how to stay safe this summer, which is predicted to be long and hot: perfect swimming weather.
To start our interview, Arno asked CEO Steve Fisher to tell us a bit more about Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.
For their regular catch-up, News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Green Party Co-Leader James Shaw about the election result, what the new government could mean for the climate, and ACT's calls for a referendum on te tiriti.
Oto spoke to Matthew from Students for Fair Rent, a student-led organisation campaigning to lower accommodation costs at the University of Auckland.
Arno reported on recent food price data released by Stats NZ and spoke to Manager of Consumer Price Delivery at Stats NZ James Mitchell and Project Manager at the Wellington City Mission Jeremy Neeve.
And Arno spoke to Surf Lifesaving NZ CEO Steve Fisher about how to stay safe at the beach this summer.
This week is Intersex awareness week, and tomorrow is Intersex awareness day in Aotearoa.
News and Editorial Director spoke to Communications and Community Manager for Intersex Aotearoa, Jelly O'Shea, about what it can mean to be Intersex and what they are doing to celebrate and raise awareness about variations in sex characteristics.
She started off their interview, asking O'Shea, about the origins of Intersex awareness week.
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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