Nine To Noon for Monday 27 September 2021

09:05 Deadline looms for local councils' feedback on 3 Waters reform

Local councils around the country have until Friday to have their say on the government's controversial Three Waters Reform proposal. The plan would see the country's 67 councils' drinking, waste and storm water assets taken over by four large regional entities. The government has sweetened the deal with $2.5 billion to be divvied up between the councils to ensure none is worse off as a result of the reforms. Local Government New Zealand, which represents councils, has copped some flak for entering into a Heads of Agreement with the government over the proposal, with some calling for councils to quit their membership. Other councils have called for a pause on the process, and the Minister for Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, has not ruled out ultimately making the scheme compulsory. Kathryn discusses the state of play with President of Local Government New Zealand, Stuart Crosby, and former Watercare Chief Executive Garry Law.

09:20 A radical shift needed for health system 

Dr David Beaumont is a provincial GP, who specialises in helping people get back to work after suffering injury or illness. But David says in his four decades in health, he's met countless patients who feel failed by the system or let down by their doctors. He says our health system has become reliant on medication, and too focused on disease management, rather than prevention - a losing battle given rising chronic diseases. He wants to see a radical shift towards what he terms "positive medicine", encompassing physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing which is driven by patients. Dr Beaumont has just released a book, published by Oxford University Press.

09:45 Germany correspondent Laura Makin Isherwood

The 2021 German federal election was held over the weekend to elect the members of the 20th Bundestag. The main political parties in Germany are virtually neck and neck and will need to put together a coalition to form the next government. Exit polls are predicting a tie for first place, as Angela Merkel retires after 16 years leading the country. The centre-left leader of the social democrats, Olaf Scholz, believes he will be the next German chancellor. Olaf Scholz's main rival is Armin Laschet, the leader of Ms Merkel's centre right Christian Democrats. 

 

10:05 Southern Wanderer Peter Garden's long flying career
 

Peter Garden (ONZM) started out as an agricultural pilot in Southland and then formed his own helicopter company. His flying skills and knowledge of pest eradication has seen him work closely with the Department of Conservation, but also engaged in many global predator eradication contracts including in South Georgia, the Aleutian Islands, Puerto Rico and the Seychelles. Growing up in Southland, his memoir Southern Wanderer is an account of 75 years of his life, and business, conservation efforts and flying endeavours.

10:35 Book review: Snow Country by Sebastian Faulks

Gail Pittaway reviews Snow Country by Sebastian Faulks, published by Penguin Random House NZ

10:45 The Reading

A new piece by a recent graduate of The International Institute of Modern letters at VUW, Sean Millward with A Migrant Dreams by Kristene Cristobal.
 

11:05 Political commentators Mills & Morten

Stephen, Brigitte and Kathryn talk about Covid vaccination targets and the rights of those who are unvaccinated, and former Prime Minister Sir John Key's op-ed piece about opening up the country. Also the three waters policy and National leader Judith Collins withdrawing from media interviews last week.

Stephen Mills is an executive director at Talbot Mills research limited which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is a former political adviser to two Labour governments.

 

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

 

11:30 Spicing it up with cinnamon, cardamom & cumin

Food writer, Jenny Garing runs community cooking courses in Marlborough and also creates exotic spice blends for her Ground Gourmet Essentials range.  She talks to Kathryn about how and when to incorporate cinnamon, cardamom and cumin into your cooking. Some of her recipes showcasing the spices include Cinnamon and Almond Lamb Curry, Cinnamon-Baked Apples and Black Cardamom and Cumin Rice.
 

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy talks to Kathryn about a cherished patch of forest, wetland and sandspit on the banks of the Tamaki River in Auckland - Tahuna Torea, "the sandspit of the oystercatchers." Once slated to become a rubbish tip, the land was rescued and rehabilitated by dedicated volunteers, including the Welsh ornithologist and nature writer Ronald Lockley, who lived in a house overlooking the reserve. Today it is an enchanted place to see birdlife, learn about native trees and recall centuries of Maori habitation of the area.