Nine To Noon for Friday 30 April 2021

 

 

 

09:05 NZ Rugby buy-in: Why it has the backing of the provincial unions

Provincial rugby unions gave their blessing yesterday to a controversial deal to allow a private equity firm to buy into New Zealand Rugby. The deal would allow global technology investment firm Silver Lake to take a 12.5 per cent stake in New Zealand Rugby's commercial interests - netting the national body $387.5m. The deal can't proceed without the approval of the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association. Joining Kathryn to explain why the deal has the backing of provincial unions is Craig Calder, chief executive of the South Canterbury Rugby Union and Rowena Davenport, chairperson of the Otago Rugby Football Union.

09:20 Investigation finds Southern DHB unprepared for National Bowel Screening Programme 

A team of researchers say the Southern DHB should never have been granted permission to join the National Bowel Screening Programme in 2018. An investigation using the Official Information Act found that permission was granted prematurely, without following due process and in spite of concerns raised by Ministry of Health staff about the DHB's capacity. The paper published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today outlines how the decision was made at a a time when the Southern DHB was even struggling to provide colonoscopy services for symptomatic patients and would be unprepared to deal with the increase in demand that screening would cause. Kathryn speaks with Phil Bagshaw, chairman of the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust.

 

09:45 India reports world’s highest single-day covid toll 

Elizabeth speaks to Kathryn from New Delhi on the deepening covid crisis in India, with gravediggers working around the clock to bury victims, while hundreds more are being cremated in makeshift pyres in parks and parking lots. India reported 379,257 new infections yesterday, the world's highest single-day total. The official death toll has surpassed 200,000 but experts believe it is significantly higher. Elizabeth Puranam is an Al Jazeera correspondent based in New Delhi.

10:05 A hiss and a roar: The Lion King - Michael Cassel

The first international touring stage production of The Lion King opens at Auckland's Spark Arena in June. The musical stage show has already toured throughout Asia, and was slated to open in Wuhan just as the pandemic broke out.  Michael Cassel is its executive producer.  He's had a fair amount of experience of weathering lock down, both professional and personal; he was one of the first people in Australia to contract Covid-19. Michael is also Executive Producer of the Australian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and co-producer of Hamilton, currently playing in Sydney. Michael was with the Disney Theatrical Group for ten years, overseeing the company's Broadway stage productions overseas.  At the age of twelve Michael understood, just from reading the Jesus Christ Superstar programme that producing was the job for him.  He tells Kathryn producing gives him fingers in the most theatrical pies.

10:35 Book Review: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Gina Rogers reviews House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland published by Penguin Random House

10:45 The Reading

How to Hear Classical Music, part 9. Written and read by Davinia Caddy.

11:05 New music with Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy has an 'Ultimate Version' of John Lennon's superb solo debut, Lucinda Williams pays tribute to the late Tom Petty, and OMC's debut receives a vinyl reissue.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman 

Sam examines what will happen next in the NZ Rugby - Silver Lake saga, following the unanimous vote from the provincial unions to sell a12.5% share to Silver Lake - will the players union  sign off?, and how will a resolution be found?.

 

11:45 The week that was 

Comedians Te Radar and Irene Pink take us towards the weekend with a few laughs