Nine To Noon for Thursday 22 July 2021

 

 

09:05 Three mayors on Three Waters: running hot or cold?

Mayors up and down the country remain divided over a proposed centralised water reform programme, with some concerned about being losers in the divvy up of assets, and others focused on the loss of  local powers.  Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta last week sweetened the proposal with $2.5 billion divvied up between the councils, to ensure no council would be worse off as a result of the reforms. Councils have till September to decide if they will sign up to the Three Waters scheme, which would put the country's 67 councils' drinking, waste and storm water assets into the hands of four large regional entities. Some mayors and councils are baulking at the loss of their assets, most notably Auckland City Council.   So far the government has resisted compelling councils to join, but its own official advice warns the viability of the plan depends on high uptake, especially of the bigger councils . Some media reports suggest perhaps a quarter of councils are considering opting out.  Kathryn speaks with Waimakariki Mayor Dan Gordon, Wairoa mayor Craig Little and Hamilton Kirikiriroa Mayor Paula Southgate.

09:20 Citizen scientists help Monarch butterfly discovery

Just over a year ago Nine to Noon covered a call for citizen scientists to help researchers with a study they were conducting into a disease affecting Monarch butterflies. Victoria University entomologist Phil Lester was investigating the prevalence of a disease affecting Monarch butterflies caused by the protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE, which  - it was thought - led to deformed wings in Monarchs. More than 100 people from all around the country responded to the request for help to collect spore samples from the butterfly's abdomen - a bit of a tricky and delicate process. Phil joins Kathryn to talk about the study's findings, which have just been published in the journal Ecological Entomology.

09:45 UK: 'Pingdemic' causes chaos, heatwave warning, new migrant crisis

UK correspondent Matthew Parris joins Kathryn to look at how Freedom Day has been overshadowed by 'pings' from the Covid app which is causing chaos for business and hundreds of thousands of people. The Met Office has issued its first ever extreme heat warning, migrant crossings into Britain hit a high of 280 in one day and two hobby palaeontologists make the find of a lifetime in the Cotswolds.

10:05 Slam poet Te Kahu Rolleston: get your game face on!

National Poetry Slam winner Te Kahu Rolleston performs some of his poetry and speaks with Kathryn Ryan about giving rangatahi voice to hopes and dreams through performance poetry. E Tū Whānau is running a spoken word competition, the kaupapa being "hopes and dreams for my world, my future, my whānau".  Te Kahu's offering tips and encouraging everyone to enter and get involved. He's no stranger to enthusing young people.  Alumni of the prestigious Banff Centre's Indigenous Writing Programme, Te Kahu runs spoken word workshops with rangatahi in schools around the country to endear them to a life-long love of reading and spoken word poetry.  Te Kahu's approach is to fill the room with joy and happiness, so learning - and writing - is a joy.

10:35 Book review - Featherhood by Charlie Gilmour     

Ralph McAllister reviews Featherhood by Charlie Gilmour, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson

10:45 The Reading

Llamas & Empanadas, episode 9. Written and read by Eleanor Meecham.

11:05 Cybersecurity blame, big tech themes and a big boost for Kiwi clean tech

Technology correspondent Paul Matthews looks at New Zealand's decision to name China over a series of recent cyberattacks - what will the fallout be? ITx Innovation Days is on this month - what themes are emerging in tech? Who were the big winners at last week's prestigious New Zealand Excellence in IT Awards and there's been a big boost for Kiwi companies using technology to tackle climate change and other environmental challenges.

11:25 Stroppy tweens who know it all

Neuroplasticity educator and parenting expert, Nathan Wallis talks to Kathryn about parenting early teens and tweens who appear to "know it all".

11:45 Behind the Attraction, Dr Death, Pursuit of Love

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Kathryn to talk about the Jewish film festival that kicks off today, a delightful series focused on Disney, Behind the Attraction (Disney+), new mini-series Dr Death (TVNZ), based on the true story of Christopher Duntsch and starring Joshua Jackson, Christian Slater and Alec Baldwin and The Pursuit of Love (Amazon Prime) starring Lily James.