95bFM: The Wire

Recently, the controversial Regulatory Standards Bill passed its third and final reading.

The bill has raised concerns amongst many for a variety of reasons, including its lack of recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the risks it poses to the environment, and what opponents say is its ‘narrow neoliberal framework’.

The bill, during public submissions, received 156,000 submissions, with over 98% voicing their opposition to the proposed legislation.

News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Geoffrey Bertram, a visiting scholar and retired lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington about the bill, why it is so polarising, and what the passing of this bill means heading forward.

This week on the Wednesday Wire:

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke with MP Ricardo Menendez-March about The Green Party’s pledge to revoke, what they consider, the most destructive fast-track mining consents handed out by the current government, the adjustments to the Clean Car Standard, and the official passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill into law.

News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Geoffrey Bertram, a visiting scholar and retired lecturer at the Victoria University of Wellington about the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, and what this means heading forward.

Max spoke with John Minto from the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, to discuss the UN Security Council voting 13-0 in favour of implementing US President Donald Trump’s plan for a lasting peace in Gaza.

And Joel spoke to Peter Thompson, an Associate Media and Communications Professor at the Victoria University of Wellington, and board member of the Better Public Media Trust, about ACT MP Laura McClure’s member’s bill, proposing the disestablishment of the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

On Monday, The Green Party announced that a Green Government will commit to revoking any consents, or permits, handed out under the fast-track process for coal, hardrock gold, and seabed mining, if they were to be permitted under the current government. 

In their announcement, the Green’s were adamant that it was possible to have an economy that employs people without destroying the ecological basis for our existence. While expressing that they consider these forms of mining to be “deeply destructive” and unsustainable.

Also this week, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced new changes to the Clean Car Standard. In the new standards, importers will now be charged $15 per gram of CO2 for new imports, compared to the previous $67.50, a nearly 80% reduction. This has led to criticism from experts, who believe New Zealand will now become a dumping ground for high-emission vehicles.

And last week, The Green Party also condemned the Government’s decision to officially pass the Regulatory Standards Bill into law.

For our Weekly Catchup with The Green Party, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke to MP Ricardo Menendez March about the new Clean Car Standard, as well as the Regulatory Standards Bill. But first, we discussed The Green’s commitment to revoking any mining permits handed out under the fast-track process.

Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council voted 13-0 in favour of US President Donald Trump’s resolution for lasting peace in Gaza, although Russia and China chose to abstain. The plan includes vague references to Palestinian statehood in the future, along with the deployment of an “international stabilisation force” in Gaza.

Supporters of the resolution suggest it should lead to the immediate lifting of remaining opposition to the flow of aid into Gaza, and the creation of an international stabilisation force would fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region, while allowing for the immediate measures required to feed and protect the 2.2 million Palestinians living in the region.

To discuss Donald Trump’s latest plan for lasting peace in Gaza, and what it means for Palestine and Hamas, Wednesday Wire Host Max spoke with Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa co-chair John Minto. 

For Dear Science this week, our expert, Professor Allan Blackman chats with us about human endurance, the benefits of speaking multiple languages, and risks of methanol poisoning

Producer Vihan spoke to University of Otago Professor of Marketing Lisa Mcneil about overconsumption through Black Friday

The Education & Training Act Amendment Bill passed its 3rd reading in Parliament on Tuesday last week, which will see changes to “school objectives” including the removal of the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

While Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds says the bill “clarifies expectations” for broad learning outcomes, the bill has been opposed by the National Iwi Chairs forum alongside a number of schools across the motu who have been reaffirming their commitment to tiriti commitments.

Fire & Emergency New Zealand has launched its biggest ever restructure in a 266 page proposal which will cut more than 140 jobs, excluding those on the frontlines.

Amidst firefighter strikes and the growing challenges presented by climate risks, the Professional Firefighters Union has said the changes will undermine the “core work” undertaken by support people within the agency.

Finally, the IPSOS New Zealand survey rating government performance has recorded the lowest public satisfaction since the survey began in 2017.

It found that 63% of kiwi believe New Zealand is on the wrong track to addressing key issues. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, starting with the Education & Training Act amendment bill

Black Friday is upon us and various organisations, including the UN, have raised concerns over waste and overconsumption during this time.  

Producer Vihan spoke to Lisa McNeill, a Professor of Marketing at the University of Otago, about overconsumption, the social pressures around such deals, and the rising concerns over the marketing tactics used during this time.

This week on the Monday Wire:

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to MP Simon Court about charter schools, changes to the Education and Training Act, removing school boards’ responsibilities to adhere to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Regulatory Standards Bill passing into law.

Producer Alex spoke to Greenpeace Campaigner Gen Toop about the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill into an Act last week, and what it means for corporate interests over the environment in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Joel spoke to George Perry, a Professor in the School of Environment at the University of Auckland, about the recent Tongariro wildfires that have devastated the region.

And Alex spoke to Professor in Public Health at the University of Auckland, Chris Bullen, about New Zealand dropping in the Global Tobacco Interference Index rankings, and what that means for smoking policy and health in Aotearoa.

Whakarongo mai!

On the 8th of November, a wildfire tore through 3000 hectares of Tongariro National Park, before being extinguished four days later.

The fire resulted in multiple walks in the region to be closed, including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. However, as of today, many of these tracks have reopened.

However, the full extent of the fire on the region’s ecosystem is yet to be fully investigated.

On Friday, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host Joel spoke to George Perry, a Professor in the School of Environment at the University of Auckland, about this wildfire, and how detrimental this fire will be on the region's ecosystem, from what we are currently seeing

Last Week, the government passed the regulatory standards bill into the regulatory standards act. Long controversial, failing to pass in its first three readings and subject to enormous opposition in submissions during the process, the law is the child of David Seymour’s ACT party.

But now that this law has passed, these serious concerns are of urgency. Particularly there are loud concerns and criticisms of the primacy granted to corporate interests, in the face of te Tiriti o Waitangi and the environment.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Greenpeace Campaigner Gen Toop about the bill passing, what it means for the environment, and what should be done in the face of this policy threat.