Nine To Noon for Monday 24 April 2023

 

 

09:05 Red Cross raises millions for Cyclone Gabrielle: how is it being spent?

Millions of dollars were fund-raised by New Zealand's Red Cross after Cyclone Gabrielle, but less than $4m has been allocated.  New Zealanders' generosity poured into funds for people devastated by February's cyclone, and Auckland's late January floods.  Local and national government and NGOs responded with cash for households and community groups.  A special Lotto draw drummed up almost 12 million dollars. The Red Cross led from the front, and has raised $22 million through donations.  But most of it is yet to be allocated.  The cyclone killed eleven people and at least ten thousand people were forced out of ruined homes.  Susie Ferguson is joined by Secretary General of the New Zealand Red Cross, Sarah Stuart Black, to explain where allocating the money is at.

09:30 Benefit fraudsters face harsher penalties than white collar: research

New research finds beneficiaries engaging in financial fraud face significantly stiffer penalties than professionals doing the same. Victoria University Professor of Taxation, Lisa Marriot's research finds that between 2018 and 2020, 83 per cent of benefit fraud cases were prosecuted under the Crimes Act, compared with just 16 per cent of tax evasion cases. In those cases, 84 per cent were prosecuted under the Tax Administration Act which provides for much lower sentences than the Crimes Act. Professor Marriot says this is despite  the tax offences typically comprising higher average values of offending. She says the inconsistency in the way financial crimes are treated could be addressed by the creation of sentencing guidelines for judges. Such guidelines are already exist for a range of serious offences, including aggravated robbery, sexual violation, grievous bodily harm and various categories of manslaughter.  Professor Marriot argues sentencing guidelines for financial crimes would limit inconsistency and create a fairer system.

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

The latest from the Middle East, including hopes to end the war in Yemen, an Iranian-Saudi rapprochement deal, and the continuing saga of Israel's judicial reform. Sebastian Usher is a BBC Middle East analyst, editor and reporter. 

10:05 Kiwi ballerina Hannah O'Neill 'star' of Paris Opera

Hannah O'Neill's recent appointment to etoile status at the Paris Opera Ballet generated headlines around the world, partly because it's so rare for foreigners to achieve it. The 30-year-old New Zealander has propelled up the ranks of the prestigious company since joining the corps de ballet in 2011. In-keeping with tradition, the appointment was made - without warning -  after a recent performance of Opera Garnier.  Hannah tells Susie Ferguson her story, which began with her early years in Tokyo, starting out in ballet at the age of three, encouraged by her mum.

10:35 Book review: Avalon by Nell Zink

Stella Chrysostomou of Volume Books in Nelson reviews Avalon by Nell Zink, published by Penguin Random House

10.45 Around the motu: Todd Niall in Auckland

Todd Niall is along to talk about the issues in our biggest city.

Auckland's parking strategy is heading for sign-off but what does it say about the city's commitment to emissions reduction? Auckland Transport's new CEO is talking some big goals on rebuilding public transport passenger numbers, and with New Zealand eyeing a possible bid to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games, where does Auckland sit and what can it offer?

Todd is Stuff Senior Auckland Affairs Journalist

11:05 Political panel: Brigitte Morton & Gareth Hughes

Political commentators Brigitte and Gareth join Susie to talk about the changes to citizenship rules for Kiwis in Australia, the Parliament protest report, the latest snafu from National's candidate selection process, National's new agriculture policy, the Greens and the Elizabeth Kerekere challenge and how the economy is tracking.

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.

Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.

11:30 His and hers food - the Taupō couple with side-by-side cafes

A food-loving Taupō couple have set up side-by-side cafes with very different slants on healthy eating. Former obstetrician Lilith Howe runs Positive Kaibration - where the focus in on clean-eating smoothies, juices and vegetable-heavy nourish bowls. Next door you'll find Te Whare Kai where her partner and long-time chef Hare Rewi cooks up hearty Māori  and Pasifika food like raw fish, paua, watercress and fried bread. What ties the two cafes together is the underlying philosophy that healthy food equals healthy bodies. Lilith and Hare join Susie to tell her how they ended up with his and hers cafes.

11:45 Auckland Harbour crossing options raise more questions than answers

Urban issues correspondent Bill McKay joins Susie to look in depth at the five options announced as contenders for a new Auckland Harbour crossing: a variety of tunnel and new bridge routes for light rail, buses, cars and trucks, and pedestrians and cyclists. But is there too much of a focus on commuting between the North Shore and central city? Where does that fit with spending on city and rural areas, roading and public transport? 

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

Music played in this show

Track: Sway
Artist: Bic Runga 
Time played: 9:30am