Nine To Noon for Monday 20 June 2022

 

 

09:05 Nation's mountain biking trails "significantly undergraded" 

A mountain biking expert who grades trails for city councils is warning that many of the country's tracks are undergraded, meaning they're actually harder than the signs suggest. Simon Noble has graded tracks for Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman Councils and says about half the tracks he's analysed were a grade out, and some needed to change two grades. He says undergraded trails risk causing injury if riders aren't experienced enough, and once a network is regraded, it often reveals the majority of tracks are advanced and expert level, with fewer easy and intermediate trails. Part of the issue is there is no single system being used; three different grading systems are in use across New Zealand, leading to a lack of consistency of signage. Kathryn speaks to Simon Noble recreation and tourism consultant, and Brendan Hills, chair of the Nelson Mountain Bike Club.

09:30 New insulation standards: Can New Zealand afford to delay?

The introduction of higher insulation standards designed to make homes not only warmer, but more energy efficient, could be delayed even longer. The building code changes were announced last year by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with a one year transition period through to November this year. Some in the building industry raised concerns about meeting the deadline, so MBIE sought feedback on a six month extension. A decision is due by July. To discuss the stresses on the industry, Kathryn is joined by David Kelly, CEO of the Master Builders' Association. She'll also talk to Andrew Eagles, CEO of the Green Building Council about why he has concerns about the delay.

09:45 Germany correspondent Thomas Sparrow -  Ukraine as a future EU member?

The European Commission has recommended Ukraine be granted EU candidate status. an important step towards EU membership. The final decision will depend on the 27 EU member countries. This announcement by the Commission comes after a very significant visit to Ukraine by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania where they reinforced their support to Kyiv. 

Thomas Sparrow is a political correspondent for Deutsche Welle, based in Berlin

10:05 Dame Whina Cooper: new biopic film

In 1975, Dame Whina Cooper led a land march from Te Hāpua in the far north, to Parliament in Wellington, demanding action on the loss of Māori land. "Not one more acre" became the movement's rallying cry. From an initial group of 50, the hīkoi swelled to over 5000 people, and with them, they carried a petition of 60,000 signatures to deliver to Prime Minister Bill Rowling. It was a moment in Aotearoa's history that led to a significant breakthrough in Māori land rights.  An iconic photo captured Dame Whina's first steps on her journey from Te Hāpua, holding hands with her three-year-old granddaughter, Irenee Cooper. Now a new film called Whina is set to hit cinema screens on Wednesday - a biopic of the life of Te Whāea o Te Motu, the Mother of the Nation. Directed by James Napier Robertson and Paula Whetu Jones, it stars Rena Owen and Miriama McDowell as the trailblazing leader through her life. Kathryn speaks to Dame Whina's granddaughter Irenee, who is executive producer on the film. 

10:35 Book review: The Flame of Resistance by Damien Lewis

Quentin Johnson reviews The Flame of Resistance by Damien Lewis, published by Hachette NZ   

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Political commentators Thomas & Te Pou

Kathryn, Ben and Shane discuss the  Cabinet reshuffle and the expectations on Ministers in their new portfolios. Also, Parliament's getting a new Speaker in Adrian Rurawhe, could there be an opportunity for The Maori Party if he becomes a list MP?. Then there's the result in the Tauranga by-election with Sam Uffindell retaining the seat for National. 

 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 Whipping up low cost tasty freezer meals 

Kathrine Lynch is the founder of  meal planning service, The Daily Menu. She  shares a range of budget tips  and recipes for cutting your grocery bill, including cooking meals in bulk for eat half now and freeze half for later.

 

1:45 Urban Issues Bill McKay

Bill celebrates Matariki and our mid-winter new year with some ideas about community gardens close to inner city density.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

Music played in this show

Track: Boney M
Artist: Daddy Cool
Time played: 10:35

Track: Andromeda
Artist: Wise Blood
Time played: 11:30