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 catchup w/ the Green Party, Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the war in Iran and Pay equity.
We then spoke to Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith from the Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare, about the crisis in primary care and what can be done to support GP’s.
And after that, we’ll share with you part of a series of interviews we did with festival organisers looking to understand why so many were struggling at this current time and how the government overlooked these grassroots local event organisers.
Despite being at the backbone of our health system, primary care in Aotearoa is facing unprecedented struggles.That's according to a recent study looking at six wealthy countries healthcare systems, including New Zealand's.
An Increasing shortage of GP's, with the marjority of the workforce planning to retire in the next 10 years, an ageing population of patients, along with outdated and disconnected degital systems hampering the streamline transfer of patients between health organisations is putting unprecedented strain on the system, increasing wait times, and worsining outcomes.
To discuss their study and dig into their solutions I spoke to one of the study's researchers, Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith from the Department of General Practice and Primary Healthcare.
Over the weekend, the US and Israel launched supposedly pre-emptive strikes against Iran. Their goal was, initially, to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and bring about regime change. In the days since, however, criticisms have been levied over the way that these claims have been wielded. Additionally, the western world, and the rules-based liberal order, have had to adjust further to the US’ chaotic behaviour on the world stage, with countries variably either standing behind the US, or casting criticism.
Tuesday Wire Host Alex spoke with Associate Professor in Politics at the University of Otago, Nicholas Khoo, about the role Nuclear Proliferation has played in these strikes, how the strikes have evolved, and how the liberal order has reacted.
For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman, chats with us about the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Squeaky Rubber Shoes, and Plastic made from Milk.
For our weekly catchup with the National Party, Tuesday Wire Host Alex spoke to National MP Ryan Hamlilton about the government's shares in Air New Zealand, their Teacher Training Boosts, and the results of the New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey.
He also spoke with Associate Professor in Politics at the University of Otago, Nicholas Khoo, about The US and Israeli strikes on Iran, nuclear proliferation, and what it means for the existing rules based liberal order.
This past weekend saw tensions in the Middle East rising, with Israel and the United States launching strikes on Iran yesterday, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching strikes on Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
The conflict follows tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which in turn followed protests across Iran earlier this year. As the situation develops, the internal and external politics of Iran are precarious, as all parties remain interested in who could take power.
To discuss how the events came about and will affect domestic politics in Iran, News Director Castor spoke to political scientist and activist, Samira Ghoreishi.
Ghoreishi spoke to 95bFM in an independent capacity.
Last week, Te Hiringa Mahara the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released a series of data summaries on the state of youth mental health in Aotearoa. One of the key findings of the study was that despite an increase in stress levels, fewer young people are accessing specialist mental health and addiction support services.
To discuss the causes of the issue and how it can be addressed at multiple levels across society, News Director Castor spoke to Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara, Karen Orsborn.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about the Middle East, Air New Zealand shares, and move-on orders for rough sleepers.
They spoke to Iranian political scientist and activist, Samira Ghoreishi, about the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
They also spoke to Chief Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara, Karen Orsborn, about youth struggles to access mental health support services in Aotearoa.
And they spoke to President of Living Streets Aotearoa, Tim Jones, about a set of new transport proposals, particularly as they affect pedestrians and cyclists.
The government recently announced five proposals to change transport rules in Aotearoa. The proposals include changes that would see e-scooters permitted in bike lanes, and one that would allow cyclists aged twelve and below to use footpaths.
While four of the changes have been celebrated by Living Streets Aotearoa, the first, around allowing more bikes on footpaths, has been criticised. The organisation sez that this change could open a gateway to more bikes being permitted in pedestrian spaces, increasing risk especially for the elderly and the disabled.
To discuss their stance on the issue, News Director Castor spoke to president of Living Streets Aotearoa, Tim Jones.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about Labour Leader Chris Hipkins ‘State of the Nation’ speech and the Government’s ‘move on’ orders for people who are homeless.
And they spoke to Matt Raskovic, International Business Professor at AUT, about Aotearoa New Zealand’s ranking in the global Corruption Perception Index, and the number of high performers who are backsliding.
For City Counselling this week, Producer Jasmine spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about move-on orders, the possibility of a measles outbreak, and the Chinese Lantern Festival.
She spoke to Oliver Christeller, Senior human rights advisor at Te Kāhui Tika Tangata / Human Rights Commission, as well as Rachel Mackintosh, National Secretary at E Tū Worker’s Union, about how the 2025 amendments to the Equal Pay Act undermine human rights to pay equity
She also spoke to Hilton Freund, Global CEO of the Twinning Project, about the debut of the football rehabilitation programme for near-release prisoners in Aotearoa
Central government has granted new police powers to issue move-on orders for rough sleepers around the motu, with failure to comply resulting in penalties of a $2000 fine or the possibility of three months incarceration.
2 cases of measles have been reported in Auckland, both of which have been linked to overseas travel.
And, the celebrations continue in Tāmaki this week with the Chinese Lantern festival taking place this weekend at the Manukau Bowl.
Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about these topics.
Last week the ACT Party announced a new health policy that would see the responsibilities of pharmacists expanded to move pressure away from GPs. The idea of the policy is that for less significant health issues, people could see their local pharmacist instead of their GP, reducing wait times and costs for the public.
Also last week, the government announced plans to scrap the broadcasting standards authority. The announcement follows a period of complaints from the government over the BSA, which had ruled on online broadcaster The Platform. The government (and The Platform) say that the BSA shouldn’t be able to make rulings on online broadcasters, but some others disagree.
Without the BSA, many of the restrictions and rules that broadcasters are held to could disappear. In addition, the BSA offers a vehicle for members of the public to hold said organisations to account. Without the BSA, avenues for public feedback on poor conduct are minimal.
For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning with the party’s new health policy.
Auckland Council has approved their first-ever transport policy statement, which, together with the central Government’s Policy Statement on Land Transport, will shape the future of transport funding in Auckland.
And a petition is being hosted on Our ActionStation that calls on the Government to strengthen protections for the Waitākere Ranges.
For City Counselling, Wire Host Caeden spoke with Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.
The Government has signed a new Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies with Singapore, aimed at keeping crucial goods like fuel, food, medicine and construction materials moving during future crises.
Meanwhile, ACT has released a new immigration policy, framing it as a way to make immigration “work for New Zealand,” with proposals including tougher deportation settings and requirements for migrants.
And leaked emails around New Zealand’s response to US strikes on Iran have raised questions about the coalition’s foreign policy direction.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert on these topics.
In 1915, the Ottoman Empire began a campaign of arrests, deportations, death marches, and massacres that we now call the Armenian Genocide. The campaign itself took place in a wider context of Armenian persecution, but between the years 1915–1916, 1.5 million Armenians, alongside Assyrians and Greeks, were killed.
The term ‘genocide’ was not coined until several decades later, but the academic consensus is that the massacres, rapes, deportations, and destruction of Armenian cultural heritage that took place readily meets the criteria of the term.
At the time, members of Parliament in New Zealand - including the prime minister - decried the atrocities, with at least one representative pointing to what seemed like the murder of the entire Armenian nation. However, New Zealand is not one of the 34 governments and parliaments that officially recognise the Armenian Genocide. This position is in line with the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, Türkiye’s, protracted campaign of denial to this day.
So for this week’s Get Action, producer Theo spoke to Lo Aleen, on their petition for New Zealand to formally recognise the Armenian Genocide.
If you'd like to sign this petition, you can find it here.
Last week, the Green Party's bill to protect overdose emergency callers from legal risks received cross-party support, passing its first reading, keeping it on track to potentially become law. Minor infractions, such as minor possession and paraphernalia, would be overlooked when calling for emergency services to obtain help for someone overdosing.
And an Official Information Request by the Herald into Winston Peter’s Foreign Minister’s office revealed disagreements between the NZ First Leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over the Coalition government's stance on the war with Iran, with the prime minister pushing for greater support for the United States bombings.
So for our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Green Party’s overdose emergency callers bill and the revelations over the US war with Iran.
The past few weeks have seen the New Zealand First Party and the National Party trading jabs, with the crux of the issue beginning with the India Free Trade Agreement.
The issue began with NZ First refusing to support the trade agreement, leading Labour to collaborate with National and back it to fruition. NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones expressed his concerns over the bill, making derogatory comments about an implied mass arrival of Indian immigrants.
The comments were rejected by ministers in National, ACT, Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori. Despite these criticisms, little has been done in response, and the coalition government remains intact.
Following the incident, another disagreement was observed when NZ First Leader Winston Peters leaked emails that indicated a disagreement between him and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon over New Zealand’s response to US Strikes on Iran. The emails allege that Luxon wanted to express support for the strikes, though New Zealand’s official response only acknowledged them.
Finally, the government has also been looking into changing how treaty principles influence policy. The plan has been criticised for its similarities to the Treaty Principles Bill, which was rejected in parliament and by the public, who protested en masse in 2024 against the bill. The current proposed changes are not set to be discussed by parliament until August.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party's Simon Court, News Director Castor asked him about each of these issues, beginning with the party’s take on discourse between NZFirst and National.
The government is reviewing Treaty of Waitangi references across 28 pieces of legislation, with concerns that stronger obligations could be reduced to simply “taking into account” Treaty principles.
At the same time, New Zealand has signed a new Free Trade Agreement with India, while incidents of anti-Indian graffiti and political comments about Indian communities have raised concerns about rising anti-Indian sentiment in Aotearoa.
For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about proposed changes to Te Tiriti, the NZ–India Free Trade Agreement, and rising anti-Indian sentiment in New Zealand.
Last week, the Green Party released a statement highlighting the recently released Dental For All report, which they say confirms that New Zealand can afford a free, universal public dental service.
And the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand is being touted as a pivotal moment, garnering support from both Labour and National parties, however, NZFirst MP and coalition minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, expressed his opposition to the agreement with derogatory comments against potential indian immigrants that have drawn the ire of other parliamentary parties.
So for our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, I spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the Green Party’s Dental policy and their stance on the Free trade agreement with India.
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