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 with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the ACT Party’s stance on conflict between National and NZ First within the coalition government. I also asked about the government’s proposed changes to treaty principles and how they influence policy.
They also spoke to Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan, about Nitrous Oxide use and its harms amidst plans for a government crackdown.
Producer Thomas talked to E tū union director Mat Danaher about Tiwai Point workers taking industrial action this week.
He also spoke to Brake New Zealand Director Caroline Perry about road safety week and how the campaign is encouraging safe driving.
Health Minister Simeon Brown last week indicated that he’d like to crack down on the recreational use of Nitrous Oxide, commonly referred to as NOS or Nangs.
Brown says nitrous oxide is “becoming a serious public health concern”. However, when compared to other recreational drugs in Aotearoa, it seems that the risk factor is relatively low. In addition, nitrous oxide is used for medicinal purposes fairly frequently, meaning its health risks in standard doses are well documented.
To discuss the effects and risks involved with Nitrous Oxide, and how the government could develop a more holistic response, News Director Castor spoke to Postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago, Christchurch, Jai Whelan.
This the New Zealand Brake charity has organised road safety week. Sponsored by the NZ transport agency, Beca and ACC the campaign aims to raise awareness for driver safety and the continued high rate of serious trauma and deaths from crashes in New Zealand.
With a specific focus on youth due to their higher risk of being in crashes the campaign will have Beca and NZTA officials travel to schools around the country to run safety activities and teach kids about road safety.
This year the theme for the week is road safety heroes, shining a light on those who help save lives on the roads.
To discuss the road safety week campaign and how we can improve road safety in New Zealand producer Thomas talked to Director of Brake New Zealand Caroline Perry
University of Auckland researchers have been recognised by Quanta Magazine for one of the major biology breakthroughs of 2025.
The study suggests evolution often happens in short, intense bursts, rather than as a slow and steady process. Researchers looked at examples across cephalopods, ancient enzymes, and Indo-European languages to better understand how change happens over time.
Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Peter Wills about punctuated equilibrium, the origins of genetic code, and why this research is gaining international attention.
The Modern Slavery Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament with strong cross-party support. The Bill would introduce mandatory reporting for large businesses, requiring them to publish annual statements on modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains.
World Vision says the Bill is an important step in strengthening New Zealand’s response to child labour, human trafficking, and exploitation.
Producer Pranuja spoke with World Vision New Zealand’s National Director TJ Grant about what the Bill would change, how modern slavery can end up in everyday products, and what happens next at the select committee.
For City Counselling this week, Wire Host Caeden spoke to Councillor Julie Fairey on Mayor Wayne Brown’s controversial comment towards an RNZ staff member, the latest statistics on illegal dumping in Auckland, and alternative names for the City Rail Link.
News Director Castor spoke to Executive Director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation, Sarah Helm, about a new bill that would remove the possibility of prosecution for those looking for medical support after an overdose.
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.
She also spoke with World Vision New Zealand National Director TJ Grant about the first reading of the Modern Slavery Bill.
And she spoke with Dr Peter Wills about punctuated equilibrium, the origins of genetic code, and why this research is gaining international attention.
Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter has put forward a bill to parliament that would remove any chance for prosecution of someone who needs medical assistance for a drug overdose.
The bill has passed through its first reading, with support from the Greens, Labour, ACT, and Te Pāti Māori. It is now set to go to select committee for consultation.
To discuss why the bill has come about and what kind of impacts it could have on drug safety in Aotearoa, News Director Castor spoke to executive director of the NZ Drug Foundation, Sarah Helm.
We are now about six months away from the 2026 mid-term election in the United States, in which all 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for grabs. This election has the potential to transform the political landscape in the States by overturning the Republican majority in the House and rendering Trump a sitting duck president for the remainder of his term.
Producer Toby spoke to Auckland University’s Dr. Jennifer Frost about the so-called ‘redistricting war,’ in which multiple states vie to redraw their electoral boundaries ahead of the vote in November.
In March, the Prime Minister’s Science, Innovation, and Technology Advisory Council released a report to the Prime Minister calling for a change in how science, innovation, and technology are funded in Aotearoa New Zealand. Of the $1.7 billion of government spending on science, innovation, and technology, the report identified $839 million for potential reprioritisation.
Needless to say, this marks a large shift in how research will be done in Aotearoa New Zealand, with an increased emphasis on ‘mission-led’ research (where the government determines what research is funded) compared to ‘investigator-led’ research, which is competitively funded and curiosity-driven. Within this ‘mission-led’ approach, the report calls for increasing funding for ‘advanced technology’, such as AI. However, many scientists are concerned with what this approach will mean for the areas Aotearoa excels in, and point to the significant disruption that the pursuit of ‘fashionable’ research, directed by bureaucrats, will cause.
So to better understand this shift in the direction of science research in Aotearoa New Zealand, producer Theo spoke with Professor Nicola Gaston, Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland.
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.
This week on Dear Science our expert Professor Allan Blackman chatted with us about the science behind football players choking, the chemistry behind the taste of beer, and the woman behind determining the structure of insulin.
Last week, the government announced plans to scrap a policy that gave university students one free year of study, known as fees free, with commitments to reallocate that funding to trades training. This comes at a time when an increasing number of young people are absent of employment, education and training.
And an OECD report spelled bad weather for the New Zealand economy. To correct course, they urged for reforms to increase the age of eligibility of Superannuation all the way up to 72, among other policies. This was picked up by the National Party, who are campaigning on moving forward with their previous plans to raise the retirement age up to 67.
So for our weekly catch-up with the Green Party, host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the scrapping of fees-free and raising the eligibility age for superannuation, but as we called in, Mr Menéndez March was just leaving an extended sitting of parliament to scrutinise Erica Stanford's Immigration Amendment Bill, and we began with a discussion on how he believes it will hurt vulnerable migrant communities.
Last week the government announced plans to scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority, the entity that serves to ensure television, radio, and internet broadcasters remain accountable to members of the public.
While the government saysit trusts broadcasters to self regulate, it’s unclear what this regulation could look like, especially without the all encompassing BSA to ensure that a universal standard is met.
In addition, ACT Party Leader David Seymour has expressed dismay at some of the recent publications by state funded broadcasters TVNZ and RNZ. Since Seymour is one of the ministers responsible for appointing the board for each organisation, his comments and criticisms are being compared to threats of censorship.
Lastly, the government has announced a new test for prospective immigrants to New Zealand, which would see them quizzed over topics relating to New Zealand values, our Bill of Rights, and our system of government. While the government is proposing this standard of knowledge for immigrants, many New Zealand citizens could be unable to answer the questions.
For this weeks catchup with the National Party's Ryan Hamilton, News Director Castor asked about these topics, beginning with the BSA.
Last week, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka submitted the Conservation Amendment Bill to parliament. Among various changes, the bill has drawn criticism for its proposals to change the role of the Department of Conservation and make it easier for government ministers to exchange or sell off up to 60% of conservation land.
For Green World this week, producer Liam spoke with Richard Capie, Chief Advisor for Forest and Bird about what the Conservation Amendment Bill really means, the impact it might have and the importance of preserving our conservation land for future generations.
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.
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.
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.
Hector's dolphins are Aotearoa’s only endemic dolphin species, and play an important role in New Zealand’s marine ecosystems. As a result of human interference, primarily from fishing bycatch and pollution, the species has seen a drastic reduction in numbers and is currently endangered. Low numbers and lack of genetic diversity have added further strains, with the species being a key target of conservation efforts.
Green World producer Liam spoke with Max Harvey, a marine scientist from the University of Otago and the lead researcher on a recent paper demonstrating the use of acoustic monitoring to study Hector’s dolphin habitat usage in Southland’s Porpoise Bay. We discussed the research he carried out as part of his Masters, what it tells us about Hector’s dolphins and how we can better co-exist with this unique species.
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