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Featuring Political Commentary with Tim Greene, an interview with Paddy of Pitch Black about their upcoming tour, Natural Ange and a first spin of Jazmine Mary's new single Memphis and kōrero about their forthcoming album. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, absent Thursday Wire Host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about changing free speech rules for universities, the government’s increase in defence spending, and the impact of Trump’s tariffs.

For City Counselling this week, News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about the the Western Springs Speedway Association launching a court battle against the council and councillors deciding what to do with vacant land from storm-affected housing.

For International Desk, Caeden spoke to Charles Hunt from Boise State University about United States Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour filibuster. 

And Caeden spoke to Lara Greaves (Ngāpuhi, Pākehā, Tararā) from the Victoria University of Wellington about research into the high levels of harassment and abuse that female MPs face.

Jonny chats to Jazmine Mary about their new single Memphis and just announced album due for release later this year!

Last week United States Senator Cory Booker gave a marathon 25-hour speech, or “filibuster”, in the Senate. 

Booker’s speech included a broad range of criticisms of President Donald Trump, including his widespread cuts with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and his threat to annex Greenland and Canada.

Booker had over 1,000 pages of prepared material, including stories from 200 Americans who had written to Booker about Trump’s actions. 

Thursday Wire Host, Caeden, spoke to Charles Hunt from Boise State University in Idaho about Booker’s speech, its historical basis, and its impact on a growing anti-Trump movement in the United States.

They started by asking if he could explain what a filibuster is.

The government released its second quarterly action plan for 2025 this week, outlining their targets across a range of sectors. Included in the plan is legislation around free speech at universities. When pitching this legislation previously, ACT leader David Seymour said the change would protect academics and individual freedom of speech, while disallowing universities from deplatforming speakers with controversial or offensive views. Seymour sez the bill will ensure universities remain neutral on non-operational issues. 

The action plan was joined by the new 2025 defence capability plan, which includes 9 billion dollars of new funding for the defence sector. Included in this 9 billion is 450 million dollars for killer drones, a first for New Zealand’s defence force. 

The past few weeks have also seen economic instability in the US following a series of tariffs introduced by president Donald Trump. While New Zealand is only affected by the lowest 10 per cent tariff rate, the consequences remain uncertain for our still recovering economy. 

In our weekly catchup with the Labour Party, Thursday Wire host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about each of these issues, beginning with free speech at universities.

Featuring the Aural Emporium, Jonny speaks to Chopper Reid and plays a bunch of epic tunes!

The 95bFM Top Ten counts down the best tunes from the bFM playlist as chosen by you!

Wednesday Wire Host Oto spoke to Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington for their take on the government’s $12 Billion dollar boost to defence spending.

Peace Action have referred to the defence boost as a “shocking waste” that would have been better spent on our infrastructure and medical system and that The Defence Capability Plan ties NZ to America’s territorial ambitions against China.