Nine To Noon for Monday 6 December 2021

09:05 WHO public health expert on the risk of Omicron

As more countries around the world report cases of Omicron, much remains unknown about the new Covid-19 variant. It's less than two weeks since Omicron was designated a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organisation, after it was first reported by scientists in South Africa. 38 countries have now reported cases: overnight the UK reported another 86 omicron infections, the US now has cases in 15 states and Australia has 17 cases in New South Wales and ACT. The designation prompted many countries - including New Zealand -  to shut their borders to travellers arriving from a number of southern African nations. But is it too late? Top British scientist Prof Mark Woolhouse said the UK's border rules were "too late" to make a difference to the potential wave of Omicron. Lynn speaks with Dr Margaret Harris, an Australian public health physician and spokesperson for the World Health Organisation.

09:20 "Heartbreaking": new child poverty figures

Māori, Pacific and disabled children experience material hardship and vastly higher rates than the general population according to this year's Child Poverty Monitor. The Monitor is put out each year by the Children's Commissioner, Otago University and the JR McKenzie Trust. It finds that just over 11 percent of all children are experiencing material hardship on current data, but for Pacific children this is one in four, and both mokopuna Māori and disabled children, this is one in five. This compares with just under 9 percent for Pākehā children. Lynn speaks with the assistant Māori children's commissioner Glenis Philip-Barbara. 

09:30 Climate change levy a great investment - Goff

Auckland councillors will vote this week on the Mayor's proposed climate change levy for the city. The $1 billion climate change package comes as a report has suggest the Council isn't on track to halve carbon emissions by 2030. Mayor Phil Goff's budget proposal aims to entice people out of their cars and into more climate friendly modes of transport. It would put more buses on the road, electrify ferries, and provide better walking and cycling routes. But that comes at a cost; an extra $57 a year for the average rate paying household. The Act Party has raised concerns that it is another cost to add to Auckland's already high, and rising, cost of living. Phil Goff describes climate change as an ongoing crisis, and without action, "a disaster". .. and says he's thinking about the world his grandchildren will grow up in. He speaks to Lynn about the levy. 

09:45 South America correspondent Katy Watson

Katy joins Lynn to talk about Venezuela’s regional elections, which had opposition participation for the first time in several years but was still a clean sweep for the government. The country is still in the grips of an economic crisis, which Katy witnessed first-hand in a city once described as Venezuela’s Texas but is now a crumbling shell of its former self. Meanwhile Chileans also went to the polls a few weeks back to choose their president in the second round of elections – she’ll talk about the two candidates in the running.

Katy Watson is a BBC correspondent usually based in Sao Paulo.

10:05 Home Cooking with Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad

Israel born chef and food writer,Yotam Ottolenghi presides over something of a food empire, with hugely successful restaurants, delis and cafes in London. His latest cookery book, Shelf Love is a collaboration with Ottolenghi Test Kitchen chef Noor Murad, who comes from Bahrain. It is full of everyday tricks to make home cooking easier, and to be creative with what you already have in your pantry. Here's some delicious recipes, including Cauliflower Cheese Pie and Sweet Potato Shakshuka. 

10:35 Book review: Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake

Mary Fawcett of Schroedinger's Books in Petone reviews Egg Marks the Spot by Amy Timberlake.  Second in the Skunk & Badger series for 7-11 year olds, published by Allen and Unwin

10:45 The Reading

Today we begin a fifteen part reading of Patrick Evans' novel 'Gifted', a fictionalized account of the year and a half spent by Janet Frame at writer Frank Sargeson's house in Takapuna.

11:05 Political commentators Ben Thomas & Shane Te Pou

Political commentators Ben Thomas and Shane Te Pou join Lynn for a look at how the transition into the traffic light has gone, the government's belated investment in new ICU facilities, how National's new leader has started out and the likely shape of his caucus reshuffle and whether the bipartisan housing accord is going to last.

Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

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 Crayfish at Jackson Bay's Cray Pot

The Cray Pot serves up fresh fish and chips and crayfish from an historic pie cart which has rested here, looking out over the Espalanade to the Southern Alps, having traveled across the South Island from Timaru, through Cromwell, over the Haast Pass and finally to Jackson Bay, from where Cray Pot co-owner Dayna Buchanan speaks with Lynn Freeman.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Today Kennedy talks about two of the landscapes featured in a new book, Shifting Grounds, which explores the deep histories of Tāmaki Makaurau. As is fitting for a city of volcanoes, both landscapes have rocks at their heart: the stonefields of Ōtuataua, and an ancestral rock that stands in Cornwall Park.

Music played in this show

Track: Friday I'm in Love 
Artist: The Cure 
Time: 10.42 

Track: Faster 
Artist: Reb Fountain 
Time: 11.45