Nine To Noon for Thursday 6 October 2022

 

 

09:05 Major power distributor wants Energy Ministry

As demand for power soars on one of the coldest days of the year our largest electricity distribution company calls for the creation of a Ministry of Energy. Power and gas distributor Vector is warning against what it calls "disorderly decarbonisation" - massively expanding power generated from solar and wind, without also investing in digital technology to manage peak time demand, for example for people charging their electric vehicles. It says the sector needs the dedicated leadership and resources of a ministry driving the change, rather than a number of regulators and government agencies.  Kathryn speaks with Vector's Chief Executive Simon MacKenzie.

09:30 US-Pacific partnership deal signed amid China concerns 

China loomed large over a US-Pacific Island Summit in Washington last week, as the Solomon Islands only agreed to sign an accord after changes were made to the wording relating to China. The leaders and representatives from 14 Pacific states met with US representatives, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to discuss key issues facing the Pacific region, and after negotiations, signed a joint declaration. The US has conceded it let its relationship with Pacific Island nations "drift", but is now looking to bolster its relationship with the region, and stem China's expanding influence in the Pacific. Meanwhile the Solomon Islands say the country does not want to be forced to choose sides between the US and China. Kathryn discusses the latest with Anna Powles, senior lecturer at Massey University's Centre for Defence and Security Studies.

09:45 UK: Truss promise, Tory conference, Royal Family back to work

UK correspondent Matt Dathan joins Kathryn to talk about Liz Truss's promise to get the country through "stormy days", while admitting her policies would cause "disruption". It came after a very rocky and divisive four days at the Conservative Party's conference. Immigration is another topic that's dividing the party, with the home secretary expressing "concerns" an imminent trade deal with India will bring more people to the UK. And the Royal Family has got back to work following the official mourning period for the Queen.

10:05  Elephant conservationist Francoise Malby-Anthony

Francoise Malby-Anthony has spent the last 35 years in South Africa - 25 of them running an elephant reserve called Thula Thula. Born and raised in France, she went to South Africa with her conservationist husband Lawrence Anthony. The pair founded Thula Thula reserve in 1998  to help protect the elephants resident in the region. After Anthony's death in 2012, Francoise took over running the reserve. She has faced numerous challenges -  from poachers targetting rhinos, to navigating a difficult relationship with the matriarch of the elephant herd, to finding a female partner for a young male rhino, who ended up going off with his best friend. Francoise's first book was called An Elephant in My Kitchen -- that actually happened -- her latest is The Elephants of Thula Thula.

10:35 Book review: Do Let's Have Another Drink by Gareth Russell

Gina Rogers reviews Do Let's Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Gareth Russell, published by Harper Collins

10:45 The Reading

Episode eight of  'The Kindness Of Your Nature'  by Linda Olsson.

11:05 Tech: Your cameras are ours, Google surveillance, cyborg cockroaches

Mark Pesce discusses plans by the San Francisco City Council to make it legal for police to watch citizens' private feeds from their surveillance cameras - with their permission. Google is soon going to start watching to see if your personal information shows up on the Internet and Japanese researchers have created a cyborg cockroach. Mark Pesce is a futurist, writer, educator and broadcaster. 

11:25 Study skills teach life skills

NCEA students up and down the country are in study mode right now - with final assignments looming after the school holidays, then into the exam period. Teacher, author, public speaker and CEO of Spectrum Education Karen Boyes says study skills can also teach life skills. She shares tips for students and parents. Click here for details on Spectrum Education's parenting summit.

11:45 Film & TV: AMC+ launches,  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Andor

Film and TV correspondent Chris Schulz joins Kathryn to talk about the launch of AMC+ in New Zealand and one of the big shows it'll be screening - an adaptation of Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire. He'll also talk about Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Disney's latest Star Wars offering Andor.