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.
National has announced the fruits of the childcare policy they campaigned on, which is a rebate paid out once every three months. This is after they campaigned on fortnightly payments, and will disadvantage parents who cannot afford childcare up front.
They’ve also announced they are continuing Labour’s policy of free period product in schools and kura, although whether or not this includes primary as well as intermediate and high schools is uncertain.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire host Caeden asked Labour spokesperson for Education and Women Jan Tinetti about both of these announcements.
Last month saw the release of an independent review examining the emergency management of Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay last year. Insights revealed the key role marae, iwi and hāpu played in disaster response, heralding calls for strategies more inclusive of te ao Māori.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke with Dr. Shaun Awatere, of Ngāti Porou, who is Kaihautū Māori Research Impact Leader and Manaaki Whenua at Landcare Research. He discussed the ways in which national and local bureaucracies can be more formally inclusive of te Ao Māori and mana whenua approaches.
Jasmine also spoke with Professor Christine Kenney, of Te Ātiawa ki Kāpati, Ngāi Tahu, and Ngāti Toarangatira. Amongst an impressive array of interdisciplinary roles in this area, Christine is the Chair of Disaster Risk Reduction at Massey University, and she provided us more insight about what the report’s findings mean for Aotearoa’s wider emergency management frameworks.
This week Castor filled in for Thursday Wire's usual host, Caeden.
For our weekly catchup with the Labour Party’s Jan Tinetti, Caeden discussed the outcomes of National’s childcare policy and the continuation of Labour’s free menstrual products policy.
They also spoke to Counsellor Lotu Fuli about the vandalisation of the rainbow crossing on Karangahape Road this morning and the end of Auckland Transport’s half price fares.
Producer Jasmine spoke with Dr. Shaun Awatere and Professor Christine Kenney about the role of te ao Māori in disaster management following the independent review released last month on the Hawke’s Bay emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Fast Track approval legislation would enable the Ministers of transport, Infrastructure and Regional Development to approve consents for projects without going through the current considerations around communities and local and regional government, existing legislation regarding Te Tiriti and community participation.
Environmental activists have criticised the legislation as a potential avenue to undermine environmental considerations.
Nicholas spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March about his Party’s stance on the legislation.
They also spoke about the International Monetary Funds’ recommendations regarding reform in our tax system.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a UN organisation that evaluates and monitors the economic politics and financial situations of member states.
The IMF’s recent evaluation of New Zealand led to several recommendations.
Tax reform featured heavily in the recommendations, with the IMF suggesting New Zealand imposes a Capital Gains Tax as well as a Land Value Tax.
Nicholas spoke to Professor of tax law Craig Elliffe about the IMF’s recommendations.
Nicholas spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Fast Track Approval Legislation and the IMF’s recommendations regarding New Zealand’s tax system.
He also spoke to Professor Craig Elliffe about the IMF’s recommendations regarding reform in our tax system.
Oto spoke to Letitia Harding, the chief executive of the Asthma and Respiratory foundation, New Zealand, to talk about the government’s recent ban on disposable vapes.
He also spoke to Dr Susan Maiava, the Co Founder of the ethical directory “Fair and Good” to talk about a petition her organisation made to the government to re-introduce modern slavery legislation.
To end the show, Sofia spoke to Professor Moana Theodore on the world leading Dunedin Study: How Will You Age?
The infamous Dunedin Study is preparing for its next phase of life.
The study, which has followed over 1000 babies since 1973 is now entering it’s ‘mid-life’ period as members reach the ripe age of 52.
Producer Sofia Kent spoke with Auckland Uni Alumni and Study Director Professor Moana Theodore about the longitudinal study and what mid-life might show us.
Last week, on Monday 18th March, Whaikaha - the Ministry for Disabled People announced that it was making changes to its Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services.
These changes mean that people can no longer use disability funding for expenses that provide respite, self-care services for carers and whānau, gifts for volunteers providing support, and overseas and domestic travel costs.
The changes came into effect the same day they were announced.
Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to Labour MP and Spokesperson for Disability Issues, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, about these changes and the implications they will have for disabled communities and whānau.
World Endometriosis Day is coming up this week on the 28th of March.
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing severe pain in the pelvis.
Endometriosis is hard to diagnose and there is currently no cure.
However, international studies have shown that CBD oil is a promising natural treatment for endometriosis pain relief.
Producer Sofia Roger Williams spoke to the CEO of the Green Leaf Group and Co-founder of the Cannabis Clinic, Dr. Waseem Alzaher, about the effectiveness of existing treatments and the use of cannabis to relieve pain.
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced a batch of legislation aimed at reducing the prevalence of vaping amongst young people. These changes include a ban on disposable vapes and increased fines for those selling vapes to underaged buyers.
Additionally, recent changes around disability funding eligibility have been criticised by many for removing access to essential services or leisure activities.
Wire host Castor spoke to James Meager about the new vaping legislation and the possible consequences for young people, along with the funding criteria changes and how they might affect disabled people and their carers.
For City Counselling this week, Wire host Caeden spoke with Counsellor Lotu Fuli about the early morning vandalisation of the Rainbow Crossing on Karangahape Road.
They also ask about the end of half-price fares for under 25s, and the relationship Wayne Brown, as well as Auckland Council more generally, has with Auckland Transport.
It is estimated that 50 million people worldwide are currently involved in some form of slavery. Many of those who have been enslaved for their labour, and work as child labourers, produce goods that we import and consume on a regular basis here in Aotearoa.
Currently, there is no existing legislation in Aotearoa that requires companies to disclose the source of their goods, or to ensure that their products are being ethically produced; giving them free rein to indulge in modern slavery in order to cut their production costs.
Producer Oto spoke to Dr Susan Maiava, Co-Founder of the ethical directory Fair & Good who have created a petition and open letter urging the government to introduce modern slavery legislation.
For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about the government’s new measures aimed at reducing youth vaping, significant cuts to the Ministries for Primary Industries and Health as directed by the government, and calls from more than 30 organisations, including World Vision, Save the Children, and Greenpeace, for the government to create a special humanitarian visa for Palestinians in Gaza with family connections to New Zealand.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Caeden spoke to Labour Party spokesperson for Education and Women Jan Tinetti. They asked about Winston Peter’s comments comparing co-governance with Nazi Germany, the response to the Freyberg High School students performing a haka against David Seymour, and Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech yesterday.
Yesterday the Western line was closed for some stops including between New Market and Britomart, while two Britomart stations remained closed due to KiwiRail maintenance issues. This won’t surprise commuters in Tāmaki Makaurau who are far too used to trains not running or turning up.
Caeden spoke to West Auckland based counsellor Shane Henderson about our public transport woes and the success of the cost-cutting budget. Here is that interview.
This week on Dear Science, Wire host Castor spoke to Professor Alan Blackman about how daylight savings impacts car crashes, how handwriting notes can improve memory, and a strange defense tactic used by Spanish ladybugs.
Homeowners across the motu are facing an average rates rise of 15 percent in the next year.
Councils say they need to balance the need for investment with affordable rates increases, but that budgetary pressures have reached a “tipping point”.
For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about their party’s stance on investing in local infrastructure, amid the government reducing funding for public transport.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Caeden speaks to Labour’s Jan Tinneti about the backlash from educators towards a Government proposal to cut free lunches in schools.
They also ask about last weeks International Women’s Day, and what more needs to be down for women in Aotearoa and overseas.
For Get Action!, Ngāti Kahu o Torongare joins producer Sofia Kent to talk about their current petition that stands against a series of land injustices.
Wāhi tapu of Whangārei, Te Kamo is battling an approved consent that will see 93 homes built upon sacred Onoke Pā.
Though having been legally recognised as wāhi tapu (sacred land), the council has chosen to ignore significant cultural importance in lieu of urban development.
Nicki Wakefield begins by explaining the significance of Onoke Pā.