Nine To Noon for Tuesday 27 July 2021

 

 

09:05 Parents say school closure leaves children educationally homeless

Parents devastated by the impending closure of a school that catered for students with diverse needs say there's nowhere left for their children to go because they simply don't fit in the mainstream. Mt Hobson Middle School in central Auckland is one of three schools run by Villa Education Trust. The Trust had applied to make the small private school bigger, and deemed a designated character school like the other two. But the Education Minister Chris Hipkins said no, the new school wouldn't add to capacity and there was enough support for all learners in existing state schools. That's riled parents of Mt Hobson students, who say that's simply not true. Kathryn talks Tami Harris about what options her son has now and Villa Education Trust's founder and academic advisor Alwyn Poole about the decision.

09:20 Reducing your risk of dementia as cases soar
 

Dementia rates are soaring with New Zealand's aging population, but new research shows cases could be greatly reduced by aggressively managing a range of risk factors. The number of New Zealanders with dementia is forecast to more than double within 30 years, placing huge burdens on the health system. Dr Etuini Ma'u is a consultant psychiatrist at Waikato Hospital, and a senior lecturer in Psychological Medicine. He says around half of cases are preventable. He's the co-author of a University of Auckland study which has found that by targetting some common modifiable risk factors, that vary across ethnic groups, skyrocketing rates of dementia could be curtailed. With the absence of a cure for dementia, Dr Ma'u says  prevention is the key.

09:45 USA correspondent Susan Davis

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has rejected two of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy's nominations to serve on the select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. And Susan looks at how rising crime rates are affecting national politics and the ability to advance long-stalled police reform legislation in wake of death of George Floyd.

Susan Davis is a congressional correspondent for NPR and a co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast.

10:05  The power of geography and how it constrains political leadership

Tim Marshall is a leading authority on foreign affairs with more than 30 years of reporting experience. His latest book The Power of Geography focuses on ten maps that reveal the future of the world. Tim Marshall was diplomatic editor at Sky News, and before that worked for the BBC and LBC/IRN radio. He has reported from 40 countries and covered conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

10:35 Book review: This Life by Quntos KunQuest

Melanie O'Loughlin of Lamplight Books reviews This Life by Quntos KunQuest, published by Agate

10:45 The Reading

Kip Chapman with episode two of  'Duet'  by David Hill.

11:05 Business commentator Pattrick Smellie

Pattrick and Kathryn talk about the Meridian/Contact Energy proposal for a global scale 'green' hydrogen plant in Southland. Also the saliva testing saga, Pattrick says a small NZ start-up has quietly humbled the Ministry of Health.

Pattrick Smellie is the editor and  co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported the New Zealand economy and business since 1983.

11:20 Choreographer Merenia Gray pays tribute to her extraordinary mother

Auckland choregrapher and dancer Merenia Gray's latest work pays tribute to her extraordinary late mother, Tiahuia. Tiahuia Gray was adopted at birth into the Kingitanga, as a whāngai to Princess Te Puea Hērangi, spending her formative years in Waikato/Tainui on Tūrangawaewae Marae. She straddled three iwi, had a deep knowledge of tikanga Māori and Maori performing arts, including karanga, which was her speciality. Merenia is currently writing a book about her mother, and her multidiscipinary work, Karanga, is being performed at Q Theatre in Auckland on August 5.

11:45 Media commentator Andrew Holden

Andrew talks to Kathryn about the ground-breaking initiative to train and develop 25 new journalism cadets - including those from Māori, Pacific and other communities which are traditionally under-represented in media. Also, NZME doing well in stockmarket terms, now listed as BUY, and potential ownership change at SKY TV.

Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne. 

 

Music played in this show

Track: Morning Light 
Artist: Sam Moss 
Broadcast time: 9:35am 

Track: Transit of Venus (with the NZSO)
Artist: Phoenix Foundation 
Broadcast time: 10:10am

Track: The Kids Are Having None Of It
Artist: Frazey Ford 
Broadcast time: 10:40am

Track: Stay 
Artist: Valeria June 
Broadcast time: 11:30am