Nine To Noon for Monday 6 May 2019

 

 

09:05 Strengths and challenges facing Heartland communities

AgResearch social scientist, Dr Margaret Brown and Dr Bill Kaye-Blake,  director at PricewaterhouseCoopers discuss  the findings from a decade of research into the resilience of rural communities and the role it has in helping settlements to prosper. Around 20 percent of New Zealanders live rurally, but the decisions made about them are predominantly decided by from urban people - so there is a lot of room for a disconnect between the countryside and the policy makers. The results have been published in the book, Heartland Strong - How rural New Zealand can change and thrive.

09:20 Is the Health Ministry cutting disability services by stealth?

Disability advocates say planned massive funding cuts to disability services may have been averted but disabled people and their families are still being questioned over every hour of support they receive and routinely face cuts or delays. Last month OIA documents showed the Health Ministry was planning to cut up to $10 million from disability support services by June,  with a further $20 million in cuts planned for the next financial year, in the face of a $90 million deficit. It's understood government Ministers intervened to stop the cuts.The Chief Executive of the Disability Support Network Dr Garth Bennie says the cuts may have been stopped for now, but the reality is that the Health Ministry is constantly looking for ways to ration disability support services, and he says the funding shortfall is at least $150 million - on top of the $90 million current deficit. Also, Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero.

09:45 Spotlight on South America  - Venezuela & Brazil

Katy Watson reports on the 'coup' that never happened: On Tuesday, Venezuelans woke up to news of the opposition leader Juan Guaido saying the military was backing him, and that this was the final phase of what he called Operation Freedom. However top military generals continued to back President Nicolas Maduro, the government repelled opposition protests on the street and what looked like a military uprising turned out not to be.

Also, just four months into his presidency, the far-right president of Brazil is struggling. Jair Bolsonaro has the lowest approval rating of any first time president in the first few months of leadership since the country returned to democracy in the 1980s.

Katy Watson is a BBC correspondent based in Sao Paulo.

10:05 A former All Black captain on when the crowd stops roaring

Neven MacEwan played provincial rugby for Wellington and then wore the black jersey from 1956 to 1962, at no 8, prop, but predominantly as a lock. He had 52 matches for the All Blacks, including 20 internationals and two South African provincial matches as captain. His contemporaries were Tiny White, Don Clarke, Wilson Whineray, Kelvin Tremain, and Colin Meads. His life took a turn for the worse after he left his playing days behind. Now aged 85, Neven MacEwan's rugby playing days and much more is detailed in a frank memoir, When the crowd stops roaring. This includes a battle with alcoholism, a suicide attempt and a theft conviction.

10:35 Book review - Now, Now, Louison by Jean Fremon

Stella Chrysostomou reviews Now, Now, Louison by Jean Fremon, which is published by Les Fugitives.

This book is a fictional memoir about the artist Louise Bourgeois. Written by curator, critic and friend Jean Frémon, it is a close, personal observation of an intriguing life.

10:45 The Reading

The Sound of Butterflies by Rachael King read by Elizabeth McRae. Part 7 of 11.

11:05 Political commentators Williams & Morten

A look at the Government's transformation agenda, and how that is tracking, welfare, CGT and more. Also, a leaked paper on the cannabis referendum and ongoing speculation on the security of Simon Bridge's leadership of the National party.

Mike Williams is a former Labour Party president and Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant for Silvereye and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. 

11:30 Texas barbecue, smoke and meat

Cooking low and slow, US barbecue style with Taranaki's Ash Peters from Texas BBQ Foods. He has many tips for ways to use smokey meats in regular dishes, and also a recipe for smoked butter Texas Peach Cobbler.

11:45 A scenic look at Whanganui

Outdoor adventurer Kennedy Warne talks to Kathryn about Whanganui the city and also the Whanganui River.

Music played in this show

Artist: Fruit Bats
Track: The Bottom of It
Time played: 9:30

Artist: Reb Fountain
Track: Faster
Time played: 11.30