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.
Sunday, March 31st, marked international transgender day of visibility, a day meant to highlight the achievements of transgender individuals and communities around the world and highlight the many legal struggles still affecting them.
Wire host Castor talked to James about what the government has to offer our trans rangatahi, especially given policies promoted by New Zealand First Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters before the election. They also spoke about the Fast Track Approvals Bill and the possible environmental consequences.
For Dear Science, Professor Allan Blackman spoke to us about 100 year old preserved milk, climate change affecting the earth's rotation, and song lyrics becoming simpler over time.
In our weekly catchup with the National Party's James Meager, Wire host Castor spoke to him about transgender issues in light of transgender day of visibility, as well as the Fast Track Approvals Bill.
He also spoke to the University of Auckland's Professor Liz Beddoe about poor working conditions for social work students.
He also spoke to Professor Missy Morton about the government's "One size fits all" approach to education inequities.
Producer Sofia spoke to Doctor Julie Douglas from the Tertiary Education Union about the importance of safe spaces for tauira with regards to discourse surrounding a study space for Māori and Pasifika students at the University of Auckland.
She also spoke to Sophora from Fridays for Future Tāmaki Makaurau about the climate strike on Friday the 5th of April.
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.
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.
The coalition government has made changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, including allowing landlords to charge an additional bond of up to two weeks rent on top of the standard bond of up to four weeks, if a tenant wishes to have a pet on the property.
No-cause evictions have also been reintroduced, allowing landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, provided they give them 90 days notice.
For our weekly interview with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to MP Simon Court about these changes.
Disability communities have been rallying against a surprise change in purchasing rules in the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha. Communities have said the changes will have massive impact, despite no consultation on these changes or a formal announcement.
The Department of Conversation also recently proposed staffing cuts to meet funding demands. DoC controls a third of Aotearoa’s landmass which is all conservation land. It remains uncertain how job losses in the Ministry could impact conservation land management.
For weekly catch-up with the Labour party Wire Host Caeden spoke to Labour spokesperson for Disability Issues and Conservation Priyanca Rahdakrishnan about both of these issues.
For our weekly interview with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to MP Simon Court about the government’s proposal to increase student attendance rates and his post on X last week, in which he stated he stands with Israel.
A proposal to merge the Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local boards has been met with criticism, with consultation opening at the end of next month.
A new report has also been released on the quality of living in Tāmaki Makaurau with our city receiving mixed results by scoring high on some areas (the environment), and lower on others (education).
Wire Host Caeden speaks to Counsellor Lotu Fuli about both these topics for City Counselling.
The Ministry of Social Development is not immune to job cuts seen in other public service departments, with MSD calling for voluntary redundancies after cost-saving efforts failed to meet Government targets. For our weekly catch-up with Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni Wire Host Caeden asks her about the impact of cuts at MSD, especially amongst other Government policies disadvantaging beneficiaries.
They also ask about the Samoan Citizenship Bill led by Teanau Tuiono, and the impact of losing independent media giants such as Newshub for democracy.
For this week's Get Action! Sofia spoke to petitioner Abdul Safi and his campaign to place sanctions on Israel amidst genocidal acts that are widely considered war crimes.
If you want to sign this petition, you can find it here:
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