Earlier this week, the government revealed a list of 149 projects that had been selected for fast tracking.
Among the listed fast-tracked projects are 43 infrastructure projects, 22 renewable energy projects, and 11 mining projects.
While the bill, Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop says it’s likely some of the projects will be accepted by next year.
Both the recently announced list and the fast track approvals bill preceding it have faced intense scrutiny and criticism from environmental activists, who say that it would allow developers for mining projects and other developments posing risks to the landscape, to bypass environmental protections and democratic scrutiny.
For their weekly catchup, Oto spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the recently announced fast track list, and the environmental impacts of the projects included in it.
They also had a chat about a leaked document revealing a number of cuts to public services, and The Finance and Expenditure Committee’s inquiry into climate adaptation.
One of the projects included in the government's recently announced fast track list is a construction project that would increase the capacity of Paremoremo, Auckland Prison.
The project would add a series of new rooms, floors and beds to the prison, which would double the prison’s inmate capacity from 600 to 1200.
The announcement has been criticised and denounced by prison reform activists in Aotearoa, with one of their concerns being that, without adequate staffing to accommodate an increase in prisoners, the upgrades would lead to chaos and more antisocial behaviour in the prison.
Oto spoke to Emmy Rākete, a Lecturer in Social Sciences at the University of Auckland and founder of People against prisons Aotearoa, to discuss the announcement of fast tracked upgrades to Auckland prison.
Amidst a cost of living crisis and subsequent drops in consumer spending, it’s no surprise that small businesses in Aotearoa are going through tough times.
Data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has shown that company liquidations were up by 40% in the first eight months of 2024 compared to figures from last year, and the economic climate in Aotearoa has been compared, by many experts, to the 2008 financial crisis.
Oto spoke to Antje Fiedler, a Senior lecturer at the University of Auckland and director of the small enterprise association of Australia and New Zealand, to discuss the impacts small businesses have been experiencing amidst the cost of living crisis and current economic climate.
Functional Neurological Disorder is a fast growing condition in Aotearoa that impacts almost 2000 adults a year.
Symptoms range from fainting, to seizures, paralysis, pain and immobility.
However, awareness of the condition, and subsequent treatment, is scarce in Aotearoa, and many of those dealing with it report being misdiagnosed with conditions like epilepsy and facing stigma while receiving treatment.
For this week’s Get Action! Oto spoke to Keremia Tairua, Cofounder of FND aware New Zealand, about a petition she started aiming to raise awareness towards the condition amongst health practitioners.
If you'd like to sign the petition, you can find it here:
Featuring a whole bunch of awesome goodness, firstly that we're heading to MOTAT for their 60th Birthday. Hooray! Join us for 95bFM at MOTAT's 60th Birthday on Sunday 20 October 2024 - Aneeka and Nicholas will be broadcasting live from 9AM to 12PM. Plus an interview with Amy Mansfield about her new play, H.R. The Musical, and Ready Steady Learn thanks to the smart folks at Waipapa Taumata Rau - University of Auckland.
Playlist
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Panic In Babylon
Georgia Ruth - Driving Dreams
Westerman - Kathy's Song
Sonic Youth - Stones
Abstract Crimewave - The Longest Night (feat. Chrissie Hynde)
BlueMoonDisco - Twinkle Toes
O & THE MO - Make Way For The Sun
Mildlife - How Long Does It Take (Baldelli & Dionigi Malba Mix)
Mokotron - ŌHĀKĪ
Frank Booker - El Salvador (Vocal Mix)
Soaked Oats - The Way It Works
Propellorheads - History Repeating
JJ Grey & Mofro - Top Of The World
Nathan Haines - Squire For Hire feat. Marlena Shaw
Propellorheads - HistoryRepeating
CHAII - Safar
Liz Cooper - Motorcycle
Whyte Horses - Want You To Know
Jim Nothing - Wildflowers
POOLCLVB & Woodes - Till The End (AROHA remix)
H R the Musical - Mansplain it to me
Wiri Donna - Being Alone
Placebo - Every You Every Me
The Leonard Simpson Duo - Nobody
The Soundcarriers - There Only Once
Night Lunch - Dog Show
Jon Toogood - Lost in my hometown
Alice In Chains - Would?
Salmonella Dub - Searching for the Sungle [Harry Bretherton Mix]
NIISA - Come Away from the House of Death
Manudigital - Don't Call Me Local (feat. Queen Omega)
Jarod McTaggart is a Masters student at the School of Biological Sciences. Jarod is studying towards a Masters in Science, Biosecuirty and Conservation. Jarord and Jonny chat about pekapeka/bats, echolocation and the co-evolution between pekapeka and moths.
Sof plays some old and new favourites... many of which appear on some killer compliations she's had on repeat. If you wanna deep dive into those, check out:
On Thursday the 19th September, the Ministry of Justice opened consultation on changing jury trials to improve flexibility and increase thresholds for when individuals can opt to use a jury trial.
The proposed changes would allow individuals to opt for jury trials up to and until their case review hearing, and increase the required seriousness for offences before a jury trial can be used.
Producer Josef spoke to Associate Professor of Evidence and Criminal Procedure at the University of Auckland, Scott Optican, about jury trials, and the balancing of interests that comes with setting jury trial procedures.
95bFM 
