Nine To Noon for Monday 5 August 2019

 

 

09:05 Is the Health Star Rating system working as well as it could?

The Health Star Rating system debuted in 2014 and roughly 21 per cent of eligible foods in New Zealand use the label. A five year review has been undertaken on the voluntary system, and a draft is currently with the Ministry of Primary Industries and for consideration. Joining Kathryn to talk about the system,  is Dr Jessica Lai from Victoria University Wellington who's researched the Health Star Rating, Katherine Rich from the Food and Grocery Council and Niki Bezzant, editor-at-large of Healthy Food Guide.

09:20 Fine blend: Celebrities and wine

New Zealand wine company Invivo has joined forces with Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker to produce a new brand under her name. The actress, who's become a shareholder in the company, helped determine the blend of savingnon blanc made with Marlborough grapes that will hit shelves in September. It's the second such partnership for the company, after they worked with TV host Graham Norton. Invivo Wines co-founder Tim Lightbourne tells Kathryn how the relationship came about.

09:45 Europe Correspondent Seamus Kearney -Brexit standoff

Neither side seems to be budging in the Brexit standoff between the EU and Britain's new Prime Minister, as the pound continues to take a hit at the uncertainty over Boris Johnson's 'do or die' strategy, reaching its lowest point in more than two years. There has been very little reaction from EU leaders this week to the ongoing sense of crisis in the UK. Also, the Russian President faces growing protests as a comic emerges as a strong rival in Ukraine.

10:05 Jean Lee: an American reporting from Pyongyang

Jean Lee is the Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and commentator on North Korea, who became the first U.S. journalist to be based on the ground in Pyongyang in the era of Kim Jong-un. Jean was born in the US to parents who were themselves born in Korea when it was still one country.  In 2012 Jean opened the first international news bureau in North Korea's capital Pyongyang, for AP.  It involved delicate negotiations with Pyongyang, at a time when North Korea saw diplomatic benefit in allowing it. Jean is Director of the Korea Center at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and, as an expert on North Korea, often appears on CNN, NPR, BBC, CBS News, PBS Newshour.  She talks with Kathryn about her time in Pyongyang, life for the average North Korean, and the likelihood of any kind of diplomatic breakthrough.

10:35 Book review - The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell

Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews Katherine Rundell's The Good Thieves, which is published by Bloomsbury.

10:45 The Reading

Heatwave by Sinead Overbye told by Francesca Emms  

11:05 Political commentators Hooton & Jones

The Greens conference, climate policy, the Government's cancer plan and reaction to the super polytech announcement are up for discussion today.

Matthew Hooton is the managing director of the PR and lobbying firm, Exceltium. Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is now the director of Capital Government Relations.

11:30 Cooking with smoke

Barbecue obsessed Blair Wilson wants to change the way Kiwis barbecue. The enthusiasm began while he was working at Mitre 10 Mega and amassed a collection of five barbecues. So in January 2018  he took the next step and, with his partner Casey Wilson, started Wilson Barbecue. After only seven months they won the Visa Wellington Burger on a Plate event ! Blair Wilson talks about what they're doing at this year's Wellington on a Plate and has some sizzling advice.

11:45 Building Act Reforms

Bill McKay takes a looks at how people can help themselves better upfront, when building a new house or doing alterations.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.