95bFM

Last week the Treaty Principles Bill was voted down at its second reading, the vote was 112 opposed, to 11 in favour - with only the ACT Party supporting the bill. 

During the reading, MPs from all  parties submitted their views on the bill. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins calling it a ‘grubby little bill’ that would ‘forever be a stain on our country.’ National’s Paul Goldsmith saying the bill was ‘a crude way to handle a very sensitive topic.’ And Te Pati Maori’s Hana Rawhiti Maipi Clarke who has continually strongly opposed the bill saying ‘this bill hasn't been stopped; this bill has been absolutely annihilated.’ 

ACT Leader David Seymour sustains that he will continue to push the bill, but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has vehemently denied entertaining any other iteration of the issue. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party Producer Evie spoke to Simon Court about the demise of the bill. 

They also discussed a members bill from ACT’s Dr Parmjeet Parmar aiming to remove university opportunities based on race, as well as a new study revealing female MPs are experiencing higher levels of abuse. 

Yesterday the government announced a proposal to change the requirements when it comes to drivers licence testing. 

The announcement by Transport Minister Chris Bishop revealed the axing of the full license test, meaning drivers on their restricted licence would automatically gain their full license after 18 months. Bishop says these changes would make it ‘more efficient, accessible and affordable’ for drivers to get their licence. 

The changes come with new safety measures such as drivers needing a completely clear record for 18 months before gaining their full licence, lowering the number of available demerit points for restricted drivers from 100 to 50, as well as introducing a zero alcohol limit for all drivers on their learners and restricted, not just those under 20. 

The AA is welcoming some of these changes, but says more safety measures could be taken with New Zealand already having one of the worst rates of fatal crashes in the OECD.

Producer Evie spoke to General Manager for Students Against Dangerous Driving, Donna Govorko about the proposal, and how the group feels about the potential changes.

Suri reviews the novella Stag Dance by Torrey Peters, the follow-up publication to Peters' Women's Prize-nominated Detransition, Baby. The novella is a collection of acidicly sharp short stories that trace the 'rough edges' of trans experiences. Suri highly recommends this read so whakarongo mai nei! Thanks to our friends at Time Out Bookstore.

A Tribute To Max Romeo

This week's show featured new music from Pulp, Black Country, New Road, Marlon Williams, Kenny Stirling and more. Sam also paid tribute to Blondie drummer Clem Burke who died last week.

Frances Chan lounges on the exotica sofa to start the show, then highlights her favourite acts from Womad Aotearoa 2025, plays a Jarrett twofer and marches out on the funk.

Set list: 

"bFM: Into the Finn-Verse"

This week we are all about Chaka!

Stopp, Seisku Aeg!