In her weekly chat with NZ First's Tracey Martin, Bronwyn asks the Minister about the Māori Party’s proposal to replace Oranga Tamariki with an independent 'Mokopuna Māori Entity' to overlook the protection of Māori children in state care. The $600 million dollar plan was announced the other week in Whangārei by Māori Party candidate for Te Taitokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.

Dear Science takes a light-hearted start today, with Marcus Jones telling Bronwyn about the winners of the unconventional Ig Nobel Prizes. They then talk about some enlightening discoveries about Vikings and IBM’s 1000-quibit quantum computer.

Liam K. Swiggs is the brains behind the outrageously prolific Big Fresh Collective down in Ōtautahi. They have a new tape out today 'Redwood Patrol TAPE #3 - JURISDICTION BREACH' and we caught up with Liam to hear what's been happening down south. 

National MP, Paul Goldsmith, dials in following last night's leaders debate. He chats to Rachel about the debate as well as the National Party's fiscal plan, tax cuts and National's proposed border strategy. 

Tim's in talking about last night's leader's debate between Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins. He also tells us all about what's happening in Julian Asange's extradition trial which, surprisingly, hasn't been getting a lot of media attention at all!

Rob is in to tell us all about the Nebra Sky Disk. Plus an awesome poem written on the train this morning! 

Today on your bFM Breakfast: The National Party's Paul Goldsmith dials in following last night's leaders debate; Rob's in studio with his thoughts on the Nebra Sky Disk and a poem for The Mind Trench; Tim Batt is in for Mediabatt, with some commentary on last night's leaders debate and what's happening with Julian Asange; and Liam K. Swiggs from The Big Fresh Collective dials in to discuss Redwood Patrol TAPE #3 - JURISDICTION BREACH. 

Recent research from the University of Canterbury details some of the factors that have led to changes in immunisation rates around New Zealand from 2006 to 2017. While vaccination rates are steadily increasing overall, immunisation has started to decline in some wealthier areas - owing to increased mistrust and misinformation around vaccines. Felix Walton spoke to researcher Lukas Marek about his research.

The End of Life Choice Referendum is a public vote on whether assisted dying should become part of the law in Aotearoa. If a majority vote "yes" in the referendum, the End of Life Choice Act 2019 will come into force and if a majority vote "no", the Act will not be able to be accessed. 

Jemima Huston explores the number of social and moral issues that surround the Act and assisted dying such as the input of family in the decision, coercion, the responsibility of doctors to preserve life vs. end life, the right for a doctor to opt out and the short "cooling down" period between prescribing and administering a lethal dose. 

ACT Party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden and University of Auckland Associate Professor of Clinical Medical Ethics Phillipa Malpas provide an insight into these issues and help breakdown what exactly we are voting for in the End of Life Choice Referendum.