The Wire with Jessica

Yesterday on Valentine’s Day there were protests and renewed calls in the media about dating impacting the amount people can receive in benefits. For our weekly catch-up with Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni, Caeden asks about these renewed calls to review this status quo. 

They also ask about the situation in Tāmaki Makaurau just over a year since the Auckland Anniversary weekend flooding. 

Climate Justice Taranaki has announced they are working with other climate groups to take a joint case to the Waitangi tribunal.

Their case would target the Crown, and their lack of focus on targeting big polluters at the expense of vulnerable New Zealanders.

This comes following Mike Smith’s win at the Supreme Court where it was found New Zealanders have a right to take big polluters like Fonterra to court for not meeting climate and environmental targets.

This week for Global Issues, 95bFM’s new segment focusing on human rights issues, Caeden spoke to Climate Justice Taranaki spokesperson Tuhi-Ao Bailey (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Ngati Mutunga) about the case. 

Queer musicians have a unique relationship with pop music, especially here in Aotearoa, where the queer pop music scene is thriving. 

Musician Jason Parker, who has just released his first EP, "How To Be Lonely", is producing the "Little Gay In" , a live showcase to celebrate queer music and build the community. Olivia talked to Jason about his personal experience with pop music, the history of queer pop music, and the importance of queer music events.

For our regular catch-up with the Green Party, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to co-leader, James Shaw, about the government’s plans to increase benefit sanctions and Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah.

She talked to Local Government New Zealand President and Selwyn District Council Mayor, Sam Broughton, about the government re-introducing referendums on Māori wards.

And she spoke to Medical Oncologist, Dr George Laking, about an initiative taking cancer services into marae and other community settings.

News teamer Faith spoke to Tertiary Education Union organiser, Drew Mayhem, about union members at Yoobee College of Creative Innovation striking yesterday.

Producer Olivia spoke to musician Jason Parker about the relationship between pop music and queerness in Aotearoa, and his event, the “Little Gay In”.

And for Get Action! this week, she spoke to Fairer Future spokesperson, Vanessa Cole, about our welfare system’s restrictive relationship regulations.