Nine To Noon for Monday 20 December 2021

 

 

09:05 New lending laws lockout many mortgage seekers

The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) regulations, came into force this month with the intention of protecting borrowers, but they are being described as a nightmare locking many people out of the housing market. Lenders are now very closely scrutinising borrower affordability and loan applicants have to provide much more background information. To discuss the tightening restrictions,  Chief Executive Officer of Financial Advice NZ, Katrina Shanks,  who warns that lifestyle choices may result in loan refusal.
And John Bolton from mortgage broking company Squirrel​. He believes many borrowers may turn to lenders of last resort and he's started a petition to the Minister of Commerce and Commercial Affairs to get the new law reviewed.

09:30 NZR chief Mark Robinson on 2021's performance

It was a disappointing year for our national rugby teams, the All Blacks losing three tests and most notably completely outplayed by France and Ireland, and the Black Ferns thrashed by England and France on their Northern Tour. In August, before the Northern tour, New Zealand Rugby extended coach Ian Foster's position through to the World Cup in 2023.NZR is also still to complete the $387m deal with private equity firm Silverlake, it has sold to provincial unions as the financial saviour of the sport at all levels, but which has been challenged by the New Zealand Rugby Players Association - which has proposed an alternative deal using local investors. And there are rising concerns globally over the prevalence of post career neurological conditions in former players  - this year, former All Black Carl Hayman, just 42, has been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probably chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.   He has joined the  legal action being taken against World Rugby.  Kathryn is joined by NZR chief executive Mark Robinson, asking whether, given the All Blacks disappointing performance on the Northern Tour, the extension of coach Ian Foster's appointment through to the World Cup was premature.

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

Sebastian talks to Kathryn about Iran and the nuclear talks - with a growing sense that they may fail and then what next?.  And Libya's presidential election  is due on Christmas Eve, but looks all but certain that it will have to be postponed. Mu'ammar Gaddafi's son is among the candidates.

Sebastian Usher is a BBC Middle East analyst, editor and reporter.

10:05 Malcolm Turnbull: "climate change has been politicised"

Malcolm Turnbull was Prime Minister of Australia for three years between 2015 and 2018, before being toppled by Scott Morrison. It was the end of a tumultuous political career which began under John Howard, and included a first stint as Liberal leader between 2008 and 2009. Malcolm Turnbull says one of the biggest issues facing Australia now is climage change. He says the issue of climate action has been politicised by successive governments, and at the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow, he poured scorn over Australia's promises saying it "has never been more out of step on a global issue with its friends and allies than it is on climate". Malcolm Turnbull talks with Kathryn Ryan about he memoir, A Bigger Picture.

10:35 Book review: Kārearea by Māmari Stephens

Paul Diamond reviews Kārearea by Māmari Stephens, published by Bridget Williams Books

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Political commentators Jones & Morten

Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten talk to Kathryn about the big Covid decisions facing the Government, with Omicron bearing down, and already surfacing in MIQ. Decisions need to be made about booster shots and the border reopening. Also discussing the economy and the National change of leadership taking support off Act.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations.

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 Kaimaumau bush fire update

The large scrub fire burning at Kaimaumau in the Far North has now grown to 1,800 hectares and is still burning out of control, with fears that winds could cause problems extinguishing the blaze.  Kathryn speaks with RNZ's Sam Olley, who is at the scene.

11:30 Food: Christmas platters: spreading and dipping the cheer

Not everyone feels like preparing or even eating a huge Christmas meal. A good platter can bring plenty of cheer, and tide everyone over, especially when unexpected guests arrive, or you have tempting morsels of delicious deli cuts or leftovers in the fridge. Kathryn speaks with Wanaka's platter queen Rachelle May who runs The Platter Share, for some Christmas platter styling tips.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne - out of Auckland, at last !

Kennedy shares some thoughts from the road during a celebratory taste of travel freedom. He has journeyed North to places of his heart: Russell/Kororareka and Urquharts Bay, at the head of Whangarei Harbour. He's speaking this morning from a headland above Urquharts Bay, gazing seaward.