Nine To Noon

Book review: Scary Monsters by Michelle de Kretser

September 29, 2021 21:35 - 4 minutes - 4.04 MB

Mary Fawcett of Schrödinger's Books Petone reviews Scary Monsters by Michelle de Kretser, published by Allen and Unwin

Number dyslexia and counting successes: hip-hop dancer Yami 'Rowdy' Löfvenberg

September 29, 2021 21:05 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MB

Yami 'Rowdy' Löfvenberg has difficulty understanding numbers, and couldn't read an analogue clock until she was 18, yet needs to count beats for her art. The award-winning British-based hip-hop artist and choreographer with a rare counting dyslexia was born in Colombia and adopted by Swedish parents. She was bullied at her Swedish school because of her dyscalculia, and told she was stupid. But she has capitalised on this. Today Yami is a well-regarded hip-hop dance theatre director. Her ...

UK: Labour conference petrol crisis, new Bond

September 29, 2021 20:45 - 5 minutes - 5.12 MB

UK correspondent Hugo Gye joins Kathryn to talk about Keir Starmer's first-ever party conference speech, the panic-buying of petrol by millions of Britons and speculation about who will be the next James Bond now No Time to Die has been released in the UK.

Companies challenged by covid supply chain calling for help

September 29, 2021 20:30 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

Of the many companies grappling with the uncertainties of the pandemic in their forward planning, Frances Anderson is the inventor of the Patney pillow, shown to reduce snoring, and the founder of the 3 year old Hamilton based company of the same name. Covid supply chain challenges, and international shipping costs that have increased tenfold due to the pandemic, have led to the company putting a pause on any more shipments to New Zealand of their product for the meantime, though it is s...

Reserve Bank ponders digital currency and new rules for new money

September 29, 2021 20:05 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MB

The Reserve Bank is considering creating an official digital currency as well as new rules for new types of money. Just six per cent of New Zealanders rely on cash on a day to day basis, and the central bank says while cash will always exist, it wants New Zealanders have access to money in forms that suit them and their changing needs. It's seeking public input on two issues papers just published. Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Christian Hawkesby says New Zealanders payment preferences ...

Media liability for defamatory third party comments online

September 28, 2021 22:50 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MB

Defamation law expert Ursula Cheer looks at an Australian High Court ruling that found media are liable for comments people post on their social media pages and contrasts it with a similar Court of Appeal case here. Ursula Cheer is a professor of Law at the University of Canterbury.

Food fight - Oakley Inkersell

September 28, 2021 22:30 - 8 minutes - 8.03 MB

Four year 13 business studies students from Cashmere High School have created an educational card game, under the Young Enterprise Scheme, to help combat childhood obesity. The game's called Food Fight. It's a deck of 52 cards featuring the nutritional values of classic Kiwi foods.

Ōranga Tamariki 'not fit for purpose' - review

September 28, 2021 22:06 - 8 minutes - 8.04 MB

Ōranga Tamariki has been described as not fit for purpose and needing transformative change. A Ministerial advisory panel has just released its report into the agency and made three over-arching recommendations. The review was part of the government's response to widespread criticism of Ōranga Tamariki's policy of removing vulnerable children from their families. Kathryn speaks with RNZ's Māori News Director, Māni Dunlop.

National party's reopening plan

September 28, 2021 21:55 - 4 minutes - 3.74 MB

The National Party is proposing opening up the borders under a traffic light system once at least 85 percent of the country's eligible population are vaccinated. National has today released its plan to avoid nationwide lockdowns and make it easier for most fully vaccinated people to travel to and from New Zealand. RNZ political reporter, Charlie Dreaver speaks to Kathryn Ryan.

Book review: Conversātiō: In the company of bees by Anne Noble with Zara Stanhope and Anna Brown

September 28, 2021 21:40 - 4 minutes - 4.09 MB

David Hill reviews Conversatio: In the company of bees by Anne Noble with Zara Stanhope and Anna Brown, published by Massey University Press.

Wildlife documentary producer John Ruthven

September 28, 2021 21:05 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MB

John Ruthven's book, The Whale in the Living Room tells of his expeditions and adventures during decades of documentary making about the mysteries of the ocean. John has worked on the BBC's Blue Planet and Blue Planet II nature series presented by David Attenborough. John Ruthven's other ocean films include episodes of Discovery Shark Week, and expedition films for National Geographic.

Thousands with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder denied support - report

September 28, 2021 20:35 - 14 minutes - 13 MB

Thousands of people each year with fetal alcohol syndrome are being denied access to support because they do not fit an arbitrary measure of disability, according to a damning new report. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, or FASD, is a neurodisability caused by drinking during pregnancy, and each year between 1800 and 3000 babies are born with the disorder.

Vaccine passports in time for summer music festivals

September 28, 2021 20:07 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MB

Summer music festivals are gearing up to add checking vaccine passports to the list of requirements for admission to large events. Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson announced that work on a vaccine passport app was underway and would be ready in just over a month. However it's still a nail-biting wait for festival organisers as the summer season draws nearer, with most of the country still at alert level two.

Financial Planner Liz Koh - Creating a financial safety net

September 27, 2021 22:45 - 10 minutes - 10 MB

At various times in our lives we take financial risks - buying a house, setting up a business, entering a new relationship. We also face other risks - job loss, illness, or the economic risks of high inflation and high interest rates. Financial planner Liz Koh has some tips for protecting yourself from these risks.

New book details the lives of young gay men in New Zealand

September 27, 2021 22:30 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

Mark Beehre has spent a decade working on his latest book - a collection of photos and stories of 27 young, gay men born after the passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. He started the project while doing a Masters of Fine Arts, taking photographs and interviewing the men over a number a years. The result is A Queer Existence - The Lives of young gay men in Aotearoa New Zealand. The men may have been born into more accepting times than the generations before them, but many still desc...

Book review: The Fran Lebowitz Reader by Fran Lebowitz

September 27, 2021 21:35 - 5 minutes - 5.34 MB

Leah McFall reviews the The Fran Lebowitz Reader by Fran Lebowitz, published by Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand.

Lydia O'Donnell: Nike's Pacific head running coach

September 27, 2021 21:05 - 26 minutes - 24 MB

Lydia O'Donnell is proud to say that she runs like a girl. The Nike Pacific head running coach is an advocate for a more female-centred approach to running that takes into account women's physiology and menstrual cycle.

Shape shifting animals to cope with climate change

September 27, 2021 20:30 - 6 minutes - 6.42 MB

An Australian study recently published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution has shown some animals' body shapes are adapting and changing to cope with climate change. Sara Ryding of Deakin University led the research team which used 3D scanning to investigate how birds are responding morphologically to warmer temperatures.

Rob Fyfe: the challenges of getting business and government working together

September 27, 2021 20:30 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MB

Kathryn speaks with the government's advisor on Covid 19, former Air New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Fyfe. He was appointed by the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to try to bring private and public sectors together to solve major issues related to Covid. What are the challenges of getting business and government working together ?

Digital sector jobs vacancies escalating

September 27, 2021 20:20 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MB

One of the sectors facing a serious short-fall in skilled workers is the technology sector. A recent industry report found the IT sector is over-reliant on overseas recruits, and isn't properly developing home grown talent. Last week, Amazon's web arm last week announced an eight billion dollar plan to build data centres in Auckland by 2024, which it claims will create a thousand jobs and add nearly 11-billion dollars to GDP over the next 15 years. The plan still needs approval from the ...

Businesses welcome self-isolation pilot, but warn many sectors crippled by skill shortages

September 27, 2021 20:05 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MB

Applications open next week for the government's home self-isolation pilot. 150 spots are available for businesses wanting to send staff on overseas trips, and cellphone facial and fingerprint recognition will be used to ensure people stay home while they isolate. Business leaders are welcoming the pilot, but say many sectors are crippled by skill shortages, and they want a clear plan from government on the pathway forward. Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Leean...

Spicing it up with cinnamon, cardamom & cumin

September 26, 2021 22:30 - 11 minutes - 11 MB

Food writer, Jenny Garing runs community cooking courses in Marlborough and also creates exotic spice blends for her Ground Gourmet Essentials range. She talks to Kathryn about how and when to incorporate cinnamon, cardamom and cumin into your cooking. Some of her recipes showcasing the spices include Cinnamon and Almond Lamb Curry, Cinnamon-Baked Apples and Black Cardamom and Cumin Rice.

Book review: Snow Country by Sebastian Faulks

September 26, 2021 21:40 - 5 minutes - 5.2 MB

Gail Pittaway reviews Snow Country by Sebastian Faulks, published by Penguin Random House NZ.

Southern Wanderer Peter Garden's long flying career

September 26, 2021 21:10 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MB

Peter Garden (ONZM) started out as an agricultural pilot in Southland and then formed his own helicopter company. His flying skills and knowledge of pest eradication has seen him work closely with the Department of Conservation, but also engaged in many global predator eradication contracts including in South Georgia, the Aleutian Islands, Puerto Rico and the Seychelles. Growing up in Southland, his memoir Southern Wanderer is an account of 75 years of his life, and business, conservatio...

German elections lead to tight result

September 26, 2021 20:50 - 7 minutes - 7.11 MB

The 2021 German federal election was held over the weekend to elect the members of the 20th Bundestag. The main political parties in Germany are virtually neck and neck and will need to put together a coalition to form the next government. Exit polls are predicting a tie for first place, as Angela Merkel retires after 16 years leading the country. The centre-left leader of the social democrats, Olaf Scholz, believes he will be the next German chancellor. Olaf Scholz's main rival is Armin...

A radical shift needed for health system

September 26, 2021 20:35 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

Our health system is in a losing battle trying to manage rather than prevent disease, says Dr David Beaumont, a former GP and specialist in occupational medicine. The answer is a radical shift towards empowering people to take more responsibility for their own health and wellbeing, he tells Kathryn Ryan.

Deadline looms for local councils' feedback on 3 Waters reform

September 26, 2021 20:10 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

Local councils around the country have until Friday to have their say on the government's controversial Three Waters Reform proposal. The plan would see the country's 67 councils' drinking, waste and storm water assets taken over by four large regional entities. The government has sweetened the deal with $2.5 billion to be divvied up between the councils to ensure none is worse off as a result of the reforms. Local Government New Zealand, which represents councils, has copped some flak f...

Remembering Waka Nathan

September 23, 2021 23:30 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MB

Sam previews this weekend's All Blacks v Springboks, more on the America's Cup palava, the ramifications from the Black Caps abandoning their Pakistan tour, and tonight is the series decider for the Silver Ferns and England. He and Kathryn also remember rugby great Waka Nathan who has passed away at the age of 81. [image_crop:130758:full]

Book review: The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz

September 23, 2021 22:35 - 6 minutes - 5.64 MB

Adrian Hardingham from Unity Books Wellington reviews reviews The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz (translated by Philip Boehm). Published by Pushkin Press

Adam Alexander: seed detective

September 23, 2021 22:05 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

Adam Alexander is on a mission to save rare vegetables and put them back on menus all over the world. Adam is a seed guardian at the UK's Organic Garden Heritage Seed Library, which has over 500 rare, endangered, local and heirloom vegetable varieties. He has saved over twenty endangered varieties himself, grows around seventy different vegetable varieties every year for collectors, and those keen to conserve genetic food plant diversity. A rare Catalonian pea is just one variety which m...

Pacific correspondent Susana Lei'ataua

September 23, 2021 21:45 - 7 minutes - 7.15 MB

There is 2 days of lockdown for mass Covid vaccinations in Samoa, as Pasifika community vaccination events are underway in South Auckland and Wellington, and in Fiji and New Caledodna 15-17 year olds are being vaccinated. Also, at the UN General Assembly, Marshall Islands leader David Kabua speakes about geopolitical tension in the Pacific. Susana also marks the passing of NZ's first MP of Pacific descent, Taito Phillip Field.

Why are Kiwi kids still getting rickets?

September 23, 2021 21:30 - 6 minutes - 6.18 MB

Despite prescriptions for Vitamin D supplements being on the rise, around 20 children each year are being hospitalised for rickets, a condition which affects bone development. Endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Auckland, Dr Mark Bolland says the condition is easily preventable. His team has looked why there are still cases emerging.

FIFA considers a biennial football world cup

September 23, 2021 21:20 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

Global Football organisation FIFA is considering a move to holding a men's World Cup Competition every two years, rather than every four. It is carrying out a feasibility study led by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Over half of FIFA's 210 national associations have given their backing to the study into the idea but the move has brought condemnation from some corners with commentators claiming it's just a cash grab. But the idea for a shift to biennial competitions has supporters a...

Andrew Little on new 10 year plan for mental wellbeing

September 23, 2021 21:05 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MB

The Health Minister Andrew Little talks with Kathryn Ryan about the pathway forward for mental health. He is due to release a stock-take into how much of the $1.9 billion for mental health in the 2019 budget has been spent , or allocated. This week he announced a new 10-year plan for mental wellbeing and the establishment of an external oversight group to keep it on track. All this follows the comprehensive inquiry into mental health which resulted in 38 recommendations put to government...

Film and television reviewer Chris Schulz

September 22, 2021 23:50 - 8 minutes - 7.98 MB

Chris Schulz joins Kathryn to talk about new Apple+ production The Foundation, based on the 1950s Isaac Asimov novel series that inspired many sci-fi movies - including Star Wars. He'll also look at new doco LulaRich on Amazon, which delves into the multi-level marketing company LulaRoe and finally The Beths documentary (YouTube), based on their post-lockdown celebratory show held in Auckland last year.

Speech trouble: childhood apraxia explained

September 22, 2021 23:35 - 21 minutes - 30.2 MB

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright explains childhood apraxia of speech, where some children have difficulty putting sounds and syllables together.

Technology correspondent Sarah Putt

September 22, 2021 23:07 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MB

Technology correspondent Sarah Putt joins Kathryn to talk about how privacy is changing the internet - and how advertisers will have to adapt. Theranos' founder Elizabeth Holmes is in court facing a number of charges - why did her health-tech start-up crumble, and Apple releases its iPhone 13....what's new?

Book review - This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes

September 22, 2021 22:35 - 3 minutes - 3.5 MB

Quentin Johnson reviews This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes, published by Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand.

Tim Heath on how he became an 'Accidental Teacher'

September 22, 2021 22:07 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MB

Tim Heath has taken his 47 years as a teacher - the ideals, mistakes, joys and frustrations - and turned into a funny and compelling read in his new book.

Psilocybin: Could magic mushrooms treat depression and anorexia?

September 22, 2021 21:30 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MB

Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, has been proven to help those suffering depression, now new research is focused on whether it would work for anorexia.

New mental health plan - roadmap or road to nowhere?

September 22, 2021 21:05 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MB

Three years and $1.9b later, the government says an external oversight group is needed to keep the country’s mental health plan on track. Kathryn speaks with Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson who says the risk of further 'drift' is enormous.

Elias Kanaris on leading from the stop: Lessons from 9/11

September 21, 2021 23:20 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

The horror of the September 11 attacks unfolded as Elias Kanaris was flying halfway across the Atlantic Ocean on his way from London to Chicago. Air space across the US was hurriedly shutdown - and his plane ended up being one of 38 that was diverted to Gander Airport, Newfoundland - in Canada. The tiny town suddenly found more than 6,600 passengers and crew dumped on their doorstep overnight - and their pitstop was to last over a week. Elias has taken his experience, and used it to writ...

Police announce $45 million training programme

September 21, 2021 22:55 - 6 minutes - 5.75 MB

Police with specialist arms training will be rostered around the clock under a new 45 million dollar model designed to improve safety and capability of the frontline. The Police Minister Poto Williams, made the announcement at the Police College in Porirua a short time ago. RNZ journalist Emma Hatton has been covering it.

Book review: Butcherbird by Cassie Hart

September 21, 2021 22:35 - 4 minutes - 3.84 MB

Michelle Rahurahu reviews Butcherbird by Cassie Hart, published by Huia Publishers.

The habits of creative and successful people

September 21, 2021 22:05 - 21 minutes - 20 MB

Robin Sharma's Everyday Hero Manifesto reveals the habits that have helped successful people excel. His work in leadership and personal development has attracted clients including NASA, Microsoft, NIKE, Unilever, Oracle and Yale University.

How food-swap initiative Magic Beans hopes to grow

September 21, 2021 21:40 - 8 minutes - 7.5 MB

Magic Beans was set up five years ago by Anneliese Hough as a way people in the Hawkes Bay region could trade the food from their gardens, with no money involved. At the moment it's run via a very popular Facebook page, but Anneliese wants to make it bigger. So she and business partner Sarah Grant have sought to develop it as an app - which would allow it to operate all over New Zealand - and possibly even further afield. They'll talk to Kathryn about how it works.

Seeing double: Why New Zealand needs a digital twin

September 21, 2021 21:30 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MB

A leading engineering firm says New Zealand needs to get moving on creating a digital twin - and government should be considering it as part of a national digital strategy. A digital twin is a virtual model of something - say a building or a bridge - and takes real-world data to run simulations to see how it might perform. So what about a model of the whole country? It's already been done in Singapore, and being worked on in Britain. Thomas Hyde is the chief digital officer for engineeri...

How much of Auckland can get back to work at Level 3?

September 21, 2021 21:06 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

Auckland is now at alert level three, but just how much of our biggest city can actually get back to work? Finance Minister Grant Robertson says 85 to 90 percent of economic activity is still possible under level 3. But some in the sector question that, saying the numbers of businesses able to fully operate is much lower. Kathryn speaks with Brett O'Reilly, Chief Executive of the Employers and Manufacturers' Association and ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner.

Jade Jackson - Bringing the Dawn Raids to the big screen

September 20, 2021 23:35 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MB

Film maker Jade Jackson was thirty when she first learned of the Dawn Raids. For the Samoan - Palangi woman, it was confusing and upsetting to never have learned about such a significant and traumatic part of her community's history. But that motivated her to take action, and the recent film school graduate had the perfect outlet. She's now released the short film, Raids, which took her back to her home town of Porirua and into a moment in history that left deep scars on the psyche of he...

Book review: The Women of Troy by Pat Barker

September 20, 2021 22:35 - 5 minutes - 4.97 MB

Louise O'Brien reviews The Women of Troy by Pat Barker, published by Hamish Hamilton.

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