Nine To Noon for Monday 12 April 2021

 

09:05 The impact of divorce on men

New research questions how well the mandatory mediation for separating couples is working and shines a light on the impact of divorce on men. A law change in 2014 introduced mandatory family dispute resolution for separating couples, designed to settle disputes before they reach the family court. Six years on, Justice Ministry figures show only 2000 mediations took place last year, despite nearly 6,500 applications. At the same time, nearly 7,000 couples by-passed mediation, applying directly to the family court to resolve their disputes. Auckland Master of Laws student Nurit Zubery's thesis research has revealed that divorce has startlingly negative impacts on men, in particular their mental health. She says family mediation is underutilised but the men she spoke to for her research reported feeling disadvantaged and disempowered by the process. She speaks with Kathryn, along with her masters supervisor Auckland University Professor of Law Mark Henaghan.

 

09:25 Life on Mars by 2050?
 

Space Mining specialist, Serkan Saydam believes the red planet could be colonised by 2050. So far only uncrewed spacecraft have landed on surfaces described as dusty and dry. But, decades of exploration has added to the knowledge about Mars - including that at one time there were flowing liquids there forming streams and valleys. Now robotic activity is paving the way for potentially sending humans to the planet. Dr Serkan Saydan is the Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research and a Professor of Mining at the University of NSW. He also works with NASA.

09:45 Russian troops on Ukraine's border, EU diplomatic fiasco, unrest in N. Ireland

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney joins Kathryn to talk about fears of an escalation in conflict between Russia and Ukraine, major political groups in the European Parliament demanding an explanation for a diplomatic gaffe that left European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen without a seat at official talks with Turkey's President and there's calls for calm after rioting on the streets of Belfast.

10:05 Roimata Smail: children interacting with Aotearoa's history

Napier-based lawyer with a passion for education and an unswerving belief in its capacity to make positive changes in our society Roimata Smail speaks with Kathryn Ryan about her sixteen year career in human rights and public law,  specialising in discrimination against Māori.  Alongside the law, Roimata has created some wonderful interactive teaching aids, the lastest of which help primary school age children learn about Aotearoa's history and Tiriti o Waitangi. All done in her spare time, to help teachers plug a gap in school resources,and coming as the Minister for Education Chris Hipkins announced New Zealand History will be compulsory in schools from next year. The new Wai Ako resources add to her online introductory Reo Māori resource for primary schools complementing ukelele waita which help children learn te reo. Roimata came up with this idea to help her husband Sam, who is a primary school teacher, when he was looking for resources to get more te reo in his classroom.

10:35 Book review: Spellbound by Catherine Robertson     

David Hill Reviews Spellbound by Catherine Robertson, published by Penguin Random House NZ

10:45 The Reading

The Party Line, episode 9. Written by Sue Orr.

11:05 Political commentators Morten & Te Pou

Brigitte Morten and Shane Te Pou talk to Kathryn about the pressure mounting on the Government over the Covid vaccine rollout and the latest border workers infected with the virus. Also the reaction to the suspension of arrivals from India. And what's happening in the City of Sails with Light Rail, business confidence and safety at the Ports of Auckland.

Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. 

Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. He is a Director and HR Manager for IT Company Mega.

11:30 Bees Up Top partners with Uber Eats for Buzz honey

Kathryn is joined by Bees Up Top co-founder Jessie Baker about a new initiative that's aiming to get the word out about homegrown honey. Bees Up Top sets up beehives around urban Auckland, and it's now partnering with Uber Eats and central city restaurants to get 'Buzz honey' out to their customers. 

11:45 On the Milford track with Kennedy Warne 

Kennedy has just walked the Milford Track, for the first time, He talks to Kathryn about one of the country's most popular 'great walks', his experience of the track, the place, the history and the walkers.