Listen back to features and interviews from 95bFM's daily news and current affairs show. Castor Chacko, Alex Fox, Emmanuel Orange, and Caeden Tipler focus on the issues of Tāmaki Makaurau and elsewhere in independent-thinking bFM style. Monday-Thursday 12-1pm on 95bFM.
For our weekly catch up with Te Pāti Māori, News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to Tākuta Ferris, about the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced to Parliament two weeks early than previously planned, and the Toitū te Tiriti hīkoi.
For our weekly catch up Producer Evie speaks to the ACT Party's Simon Court about the introduction of the Treaty Principals Bill being moved forward, the nationwide Hikoi kicking off today in opposition to the bill, and David Seymour stating he doesn’t support a ban on Nazi symbols.
Joel speaks to Senior Research Fellow in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, Dr Samantha Marsh, about Australia announcing a law to ban under 16 year olds from social media, and her calls for similar legislation to be implemented here in Aotearoa.
Evie speaks to geopolitical analyst at the University of Otago, Geoffrey Miller, about Donald Trump’s potential impact on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine as he takes on the role of US President early next year.
Joel speaks to the National Coordinator of the Public Transport Users Association New Zealand, Jon Reeves, on Transport Minister Simeon Brown’s announcement that Tāmaki Makaurau’s rail network will be closed for 96 days next year.
And Evie speaks Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations, Dr Stephen Winter, about the government’s apology to abuse in state care survivors which is set to occur on the 12th of November.
Last week, Transport Minister, Simeon Brown, announced that Auckland’s rail network will close for 96 days, with an additional 53 days where operations will be reduced.
Brown cites multiple reasons for these closures, which are to develop and upgrade Auckland’s rail network.
News and Editorial Director, and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the National Coordinator of the Public Transport Users Association New Zealand, Jon Reeves, about this announcement, what the association’s thoughts are regarding the matter, and what this will mean for public transport users.
Last week Donald Trump won the US election, securing his second term as President, and is now set to take office in January of next year.
This now leaves many questions of what his second term as president will look like.
In contrast to his 2016 presidency, there’s now an ongoing war in Gaza, in which the US has had much influence. Many have been dissatisfied with the response to this by the Biden/Harris administration, and now wait to see what action Trump will take on the issue.
There are also questions on what stance Trump will take on the ongoing war in Ukraine, in which the US has largely supported Ukraine. However Trump undoubtedly has his own relationship with Russia.
Producer Evie spoke to Geopolitical analyst at the University of Otago, Geoffrey Miller about these questions, and what we can expect to see under Trump's administration this time around.
The Government will issue its apology to survivors of abuse in state care and faith based institutions tomorrow.
The apology has been a long time coming and is set to be a monumental day for survivors. The apology is taking place in Parliament, and with spaces being limited, a huge number of survivors won’t be able to watch it in person, instead entering a lottery to gain a space in Parliament.
The remaining survivors will be watching via livestream in multiple locations.
Beyond the apology the government is also yet to layout what its redress and compensation plans will include despite recommendations being made in the royal commission of inquiry into abuse in state care report.
Producer Evie spoke to the University of Auckland’s Stephen Winter about the apology and what to expect from the government next.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire Host Caeden speaks to Willow-Jean Prime about the Treaty Principles Bill, Labour calling for a pause in Gumboot Friday’s funding, and a leaked document showing force will be allowed against young people in the Government’s bootcamps for youth offenders.
And for State of the States, following Trump’s win yesterday, they speak to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News, political commentator Tom Unger, and University of Auckland’s Professor of Law Scott Optican.
For City Counselling this week, Sofia speaks to Councillor Julie Fairey about Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s ‘Happy Guide’ as well as Council’s decision to move the Western Springs speedway
She also speaks to the University of Auckland’s Professor Margaret Mutu about the Treaty Principles Bill being introduced today - over a week earlier than its original date.
She also speaks to lecturer at the University of Auckland and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi, about the nationwide hīkoi planned for the week the Bill was originally meant to be introduced.
Last night Republican Donald Trump won the United States election, sweeping battleground states and taking more than the 270 electoral college votes required to win.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Andre Fa’aoso from the Yale Daily News about who voted for Trump yesterday and students’ reactions to the election outcome.
They then spoke to political commentator and former political show host at Radioactive Tom Unger, who is on the ground in New Jersey, about the reaction from both campaigns and the general public to Trump’s win.
And they spoke to Associate Professor in Law Scott Optican from the University of Auckland about the ramifications of Trump winning as a convicted felon, as well as the potential impacts of a Trump presidency in Aotearoa.
Earlier this week the Government announced that it would introduce the controversial Treaty Principles Bill today, over a week earlier than its original date for introduction on November 18th.
The Bill has received much criticism, with a nationwide hīkoi in protest planned for next week to coincide with its introduction.
Producer Sofia spoke to Te Tiriti o Waitangi expert, Professor Margaret Mutu (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua), from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts, as well as lecturer at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Law and spokesperson for and organiser of Toitū te Tiriti, Eru Kapa Kingi (Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi, Waikato-Tainui, and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui), about the Bill and the nationwide hīkoi that coincides with it.
For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about proposed cuts to Aotearoa’s long term child poverty reduction goals by Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, Louise Upston, as well Todd McClay’s new charter for recreational hunting and fishing and the Green party’s calls to ban bottom trawling.
He spoke to Sarita Divis from the child poverty action group for an expert opinion on the Louise Upston’s decision to reduce child poverty reduction targets.
For this week’s Get Action! He speak to Rachel Jaboon from the Victoria African Diaspora Student Association to discuss a petition of hers calling for the Wellington government to make the CBD safer for Rangatahi and students.
And He spoke to Dr Timothy Fadgen from the University of Auckland to talk about how Donald Trump might raise allegations of voter fraud if he loses the upcoming U.S elections, as American voters head to the polls today.
Sasha spoke to Professor Simon Thrush, from the institute of Marine Science about the past week’s commonwealth ocean declaration
And he spoke to Emily Hall from the SAFE organisation calling for changes to New Zealand’s animal welfare and banning rodeo events.
The new rodeo season commenced this past Sunday the 3rd of November, and animal rights organisation SAFE is calling for a ban on this sport.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall spoke to Sasha about these rodeo events, stating that they breach the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act. There are many other issues with the rodeo sport industry, as for example it is not necessary for the organisations to report deaths or injuries unless requested.
Commonwealth countries have recently adopted the Apia Ocean Declaration for One Resilient Common Future, which calls for an importance to restore and preserve all amenities of the ocean for future generations.
The declaration was signed last week in Samoa, and includes fifty-six independent sovereign states. Addressing the ocean through a declaration is inherently important, but due to the wide scope and similar previous declarations, experts question whether it will lead to real action.
Sasha spoke to Professor of the Marine Institute from the University of Auckland, Simon Thrush, about the recent commonwealth ocean declaration and potential implications.
Last week, NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft put forward a bill that would seek to define the terms “man” and “woman” in law. The bill has been supported by coalition parties through its first reading. Its primary supporters in parliament, ACT and NZ First, say the bill is about prioritising biology over ideology, or about maintaining common sense.
Its opponents, however, say the bill is unnecessary, and that the ideology pushed by its supporters does not align with evidence. Te Kāhui Tika Tangata, the human rights commission, says that the bill is “not necessary”, and “risks harm to communities who continue to experience discrimination on the basis of their gender identity”.
Disability Rights Commissioner and Rainbow rights spokesperson at the Human Rights Commission, Prudence Walker, sez the bill will not only “trample on the mana of trans and intersex people”, but it also “attempts to completely erase non-binary people”.
Despite the strong opposition, the government is pushing for the bill to be considered in select committee.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the bill and why the government is bringing it about.
DISCLAIMER: this interview covers multiple anti-trans talking points, and briefly discusses sexual violence.
A survey of Automobile Association members' views on time-of-use charging has been presented to the Auckland Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Delivery Committee.
The survey found that members were open to congestion charging if it worked, even if they thought it was unfair.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins gave a ‘State of Auckland’ speech last week, focusing on the need for cross-party collaboration on infrastructure projects.
Wire Host Caeden spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.
Crypto investment schemes are spreading across the Pacific, often through trusted family, church, and community networks. While they are promoted as offering financial freedom and fast returns, regulators have warned that some schemes carry serious risks and limited protections for investors.
Producer Pranuja spoke with Associate Dean Pacific Sione Taufa about how trust can be exploited in Pacific communities, why endorsement matters, and what people should know before investing.
The Government is heading into Budget week with plans to cut the core public service, and RNZ reports public servants' fears that their jobs are once again on the line. At the same time, questions have been raised over MFAT being spared from cuts, and the Government has unveiled major changes to secondary education through its proposed NCEA replacement.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about public service cuts, Budget priorities, and what the education overhaul could mean for students and teachers.
This week has seen discussions on New Zealand Firsts announcement that if they win the election they plan to buy BNZ and nationalise it into kiwibank, a plan some estimate to cost $30,000,000,000 and has been completely ruled out by their coalition partner in the National Party. Despite this, it’s sparked conversations around how we should be engaging with our banking sector, the vast majority of it dominated by Australian owned banks.
And critics fear that National party changes to the accommodation supplement is going to hit poor working families at a time they’re already doing it rough, nullifying other support that they are offering the rest of the country more broadly, repeating a pattern of policies that hurt poorer communities worse than the rich.
So for our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March on what impact he thinks will come from restrictions to the accommodation supplement, particularly for the poor, they then discussed New Zealand Firsts policy to buy BNZ bank, and whether minor parties tend to over promise if they are constrained by the major parties who they will inevitably have to work with if they make into parliament.
Last week, National MP Catherine Wedd’s members bill for an Under-16s social media ban was paused. Instead, Education Minister Erica Stanford has pledged to, before this years election, bring a wider and more robust proposal for a ban in a larger bill.
Last week also saw Prime Minister Christopher Luxon make comments about the National Party’s stance on immigration, amidst criticised changes to compliance officer powers, and previous spats and comments over immigration policy between government coalition partners.
And with the budget expected next week, promises have begun to be made by the government for where funding can be expected, particularly within education.
Host Alex spoke with National MP Ryan Hamilton about these topics, starting with the Social Media ban.
Since 1986, the Ministry for the Environment has been the central policy advising entity in New Zealand for environmental issues. The government has recently proposed the Environment Amendment Bill, which seeks to disestablish the Ministry for the Environment, which would be amalgamated into a larger Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
For Green World this week, Wire producer Liam spoke with Professor Nicolas Lewis, of the University of Auckland’s School of Environment, about these proposed changes, how they fit in with the government's current priorities around the environment, and the impact this may have on New Zealand in the short-term and long-term.
Recent weeks have seen the government adopting a series of policies targeted at immigration. Some of these policies are set to be introduced immediately, while others are proposals for the upcoming election. What all of these policies have in common is that they aim to respond to an idea that there is a subset of immigrants who are making society in New Zealand worse.
This is a narrative that we’ve seen dominate conversations about immigration overseas, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. It often leads to gross displays of racism, with mass riots and crackdowns on people who have done nothing wrong. With these recent policies and media attention towards the anti-immigrant rhetoric in Aotearoa this month, concerns have been raised over whether those overseas developments could be seen here.
For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor planned to ask about both immigration and the move-on orders for rough sleepers, though we ran out of time to discuss both. They began by asking Simon about the government’s recent stance on immigration.
95bFM 
