95bFM: The Wire 95bFM

A ban on live animal exports was introduced last year by the previous Labour government. However, the coalition government has said it would like to reverse it. 


This past week, a petition signed by over 57,000 people was handed to parliament, calling for the Government to keep its ban on live animal exports. 


Producer Sofia spoke to CEO of SAFE Aotearoa, Debra Ashton, about the petition, the importance of keeping the ban, and what reversal could look like.

The Palestine Solidarity Network has issued a letter of demand to the government for complicity in Israel’s siege on Gaza.


It comes as the death toll in Gaza reaches nearly 38,000 including 15,000 children. At least 10 countries, including Spain, Mexico and Ireland, have joined South Africa in their case against Israel for committing what they call a Genocide. 


Wire Host Caeden speaks to PSN’s John Minto about how the Government’s been complicit, and what their impact could be on the international stage.

Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about Three Strikes Laws and cuts to food banks


For City Counselling they speak to Councillor Shane Henderson about Matariki and local government crime prevention plans.


And they speak to Palestine Solidarity Network’s John Minto about their open letter warning the government that they will take action against their complicity in Gaza


Sofia speaks to CEO of SAFE, Debra Ashton, about a petition presented to parliament this week calling for the ban on live exports to be kept. 


Castor speaks to spokesperson for Eczema Assocation New Zealand, Vanessa Jenkins, about the impacts of eczema on daily life.

Eczema is a health issue that affects large groups of people across the country. The Eczema Association New Zealand, or EANZ, is a group that attempts to understand and address the impacts of eczema on both those who have it and those around them, such as families and friends. 


Producer Castor spoke to spokesperson from EANZ, Vanessa Jenkins, about the impacts of eczema and what more the government can do to support those who are affected by it.

For their regular catch-up, Oto spoke to the Green Party’s Ricardo Menéndez March about: 



The government’s decision to boost Pharmac Funding
The introducing of a new Sentencing Category for Young Offenders
And the implementation of check-in requirements for those on the Jobseeker Benefit.


He also spoke to Susan St John from the University of Auckland to talk about assistance gaps in the Working for Families Scheme


And he speak to Paula Lorgelly, also from the University of Auckland, for her perspective on the government’s recent Pharmac funding announcement.


Rawan spoke to Bianca Ranson from Forest and Bird about The Hauraki gulf protection bill being recommended to parliament in its entirety.


And spoke to Aaron Hendry from Kickback about a Petition of his against the government's new Ram-raid Bill.

There are at least 150,000 children in Aotearoa living under the poverty line who come from households dependent on government assistance schemes like Working for Families. 


However, as Susan St John, associate professor in economics at the University of Auckland Business School and spokesperson for Child Poverty Action group, said in a recent newsroom article, there are barriers in accessing support schemes for low-income families not found in those aimed at Kiwis over the age of 65, such as the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. 


Oto had a chat with Susan about the state of government assistance for low-income families in New Zealand, and why she believes it’s better to be old than young if you’re poor in New Zealand.