95bFM

Jonny chats to Henrik from Viagra Boys about their new album viagr aboys and just announced tour (today!) with the band playing the Powerstation at the start of next year. They delve into how the band has changed over the years, how the band formed from Henrik and Sebastian's bond over tattooing and karaoke in Stockholm, how the music on this release much more deeply reflects themselves compared to earlier releases.

The Catholic Church has a new leader — Pope Leo XIV — elected after just two days of conclave in what many are calling a quick and unified decision. He follows Pope Francis, whose time as pope was known for major reforms and a focus on social issues. Now, people are asking: will Leo continue that legacy, or take the Church in a new direction?

Some describe Leo XIV as a moderate, but we are yet to see what issues he will choose to act on. 

Producer Evie spoke to Dr Greg Marcar, a theology researcher at the University of Otago, about what we can expect from Pope Leo’s time in charge, and what it means that he’s the first American pope in history.

They also looked at why the conclave happened so quickly this time, and whether a new pope could bring changes not just for Catholics, but for the wider world.

Last week, the controversial Pay Equity Amendment Bill passed under urgency.

The bill makes drastic changes to the Equal Pay Act 1972, making the criteria for equity claims stricter, and could can the 33 existing claims, affecting 150,000 female workers.

The passing of the bill has faced significant opposition from the Labour Party, Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori, over concerns this bill would set women back, and resulted in nationwide protests.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp about the passing of the Pay Equity Amendment Bill, and how this would impact marginalised communities.

They also spoke about the Ministry of Education releasing the draft relationships and sexuality education, or RSE, framework, for students years 0 to 13, and the party’s concerns regarding this.

But first, they discussed the Pay Equity Amendment Bill

Recently, National MP, Catherine Wedd, has launched a members bill, that has been supported by the wider party, to ban under-16-year-olds from social media. Since, Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has announced that Education Minister, Erica Stanford, will be “exploring options” that would be brought to Cabinet.

As such, Stanford’s education portfolio will be amended to ensure she can commission advice and direct officials to mitigate the harms of social media on under-16-year-olds.

Luxon says that he has received an "overwhelmingly positive response from mums and dads," regarding these moves. At the end of last year, in light of Australia passing a similar bill, a 1News Verian poll showed 68% were in support of New Zealand passing a similar bill, 22% were opposed, and 10% were undecided.

These moves come alongside the launch of B416, a group pushing to ban social media access to under-16-year-olds.

News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the co-chair of B416, Anna Curzon, about why she supports this outright ban.

Despite a lot of support, what has been proposed has also received a lot of criticism.

Many are concerned about how effective this bill, if passed into law, would be.

As mentioned previously, Australia passed a similar bill last year, which is set to go into effect at the end of this year. However, there are still hurdles in the way before the implementation of this policy in December, such as what tech will be used to ensure under-16-year-olds aren’t on social media, and whether social media platforms themselves will comply.

Here in New Zealand, what is currently being proposed has seen relatively mixed opinions. NZ First supports the move, however, ACT does not. The ACT Party previously called the member's bill hastily drafted, simplistic, and unworkable, and has instead called for a “public inquiry” before the select committee.

Joel also spoke to Dr Alex Beattie, a lecturer in Media and Communications at the Victoria University of Wellington about what has been proposed, and his concerns regarding the bill.

The ACT Party has defended the Government’s controversial move to pass changes to pay equity law under urgency — a move that immediately halted all current claims and raised the bar for future ones. The Government argues the new rules will provide more “clarity” and prevent costly legal disputes, while unions and advocates say the bill is a rollback of hard-won gains for women in low-paid sectors.

Critics also slammed the lack of consultation and the speed of the legislative process, while questions are raised over whether the move was made to plug a hole in the upcoming budget. For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about why ACT supports the Pay Equity Amendment Bill, and whether it risks undermining efforts to close the gender pay gap.

They also discussed a National Party member’s bill that would ban under-16s from using social media — a proposal ACT has declined to back for now. National says the ban would protect young people’s mental health, while ACT argues it raises serious questions about freedom of speech and parental responsibility.

Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, in studio for a last chat!

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catchup with Te Pāti Māori’s Takutai Kemp, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to her about the Pay Equity Amendment Bill being passed, as well as the draft framework for relationship and sexuality education, or RSE.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie, speaks to Simon Court about the government passing the pay equity amendment bill under urgency, as well a National members bill proposing a social media ban for under 16’s. 

Joel spoke to Anna Curzon, the co-chair of B416; an organisation pushing to ban under 16 year olds from social media, in light of National MP Catherine Wedd’s members bill.

Joel also spoke to Dr Alex Beattie, a lecturer in Media and Communications at the Victoria University of Wellington, about his concerns with Wedd’s members bill, and what other ways we should regulate social media for young people as opposed to an outright ban.

Evie speaks to Theology Researcher at University of Otago Dr Greg Marcar about the selection of the new pope, Leo XIV.

And Global Innovator, Matt Hart, joins us in studio for our last chat!

Whakarongo mai!

This week's show featured new music from Phoebe Rings, Car Seat Headrest and more.

Frances Chan celebrates NZ Music Month, Mother’s Day and the birthdays of Carla Bley, Julian Joseph and Freddie Roach, plus the latest London sounds, an Italian guitar wunderkind and a tour to the Middle East to round out the show.

Setlist:

Happy Birthday the great Norman Whitfield, we spin a few of his productions, and also May marks 50 years since the release of Curtis Mayfield's landmark "There's No Place Like America Today", and also Emilio Santiago's self titled album, and the "Funk Factory" LP. Brought to you by K & J.