Nine To Noon for Wednesday 10 May 2023

 

09:05 ADHD referrals "virtually impossible": GPs & advocates

GPs say it is virtually impossible to get patients referred for a publicly funded ADHD assessment - and a new survey  backs that up. Anyone with suspected ADHD must get an inital assessment by a psychiatrist or clinical psycholgist, while the prescribing of ritalin and other ADHD drugs can only be made by a psychiatrist. General practitioners say they're frustrated and worried by the difficulty in getting patients a assessment in the public health system, and say even those who can pay privately or have insurance, have a long wait. ADHD New Zealand has surveyed its membership, which finds that people are waiting longer - both public and private, and that only a quarter of respondents are receiving support from a psychiatrist or psychologist. Of those waiting for support, a fifth just give up. Kathryn speaks with Chair of General Practice NZ, Dr Bryan Betty, and ADHD New Zealand's chair Darrin Bull.

09:30 Judge manuals remain secret: 'We need to understand their decision making'

Legal experts fear the information relied on by judges to make decisions may be out of date, and are questioning why these so-called "bench books" are not publicly available. Bench books typically include an overview of statutes, rules, cases, and social-science research, as well as expert commentary. They're publicly-funded, and while most countries make them available to lawyers, case workers, police and anyone working with victims and defendants, in New Zealand, their contents remain secret and only available to judges. Kathryn speaks with Carrie Leonetti, an associate professor of law at the University of Auckland, who is concerned bench books may be outdated or full of misinformation, and there would be no way for experts, lawyers, or the public to know.

09:45 Australia: Surprise surplus in Budget

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton joins Kathryn to talk about yesterday's federal Budget, the second delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers which forecast a surplus of A$4.2 billion - the first time in 15 years that a budget has been delivered in the black. Karen breaks down what's in it. She'll also talk about the start of the public inquiry into the handling of the criminal case of the alleged rape of young ministerial staffer Brittany Higgins at Parliament House that sparked women's marches around the country.

10:05 Global and hometown food influences inspiring Top Chef Winner Kristen Kish 

Her flair in the kitchen has resulted in two sold out appearances at Kristen Kish's Wellington's On a Plate events. In the US, she s a winner of season 10 the Top Chef TV show, and has worked as a host on Iron Chef and she's a cookbook author. Her restaurant Arlo Grey in Austin Texas has a menu  inspired by French and Italian cooking, nostalgic home dishes and her love of travel. Kristen Kish was adopted from South Korea as a baby and raised in Michigan. This year she has been working on a show for National Geographic, Restaurants at the End of the World.  

10:35 Book review: Fungi of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson

Lynn Freeman reviews Fungi of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson, published by Penguin Random House NZ

10:45 Around the motu: Kelly Makiha in Rotorua

 

Kelly has a heartwarming story from an anonymous local businessman who has paid for a new play ground for the Rotorua Seventh-day Adventist School on Fenton St. The street is at the core of emergency housing in city. Also the sentencing of a former prison officer for their role in cocaine trafficking.  It's crunch time for Rotorua residents as the belts need tightening to avoid a massive rate increase. Tania Tapsell won the Rotorua mayoralty campaigning on "stop the spend" so the axe is swinging to save ratepayers' money. And Rotorua has fareweled Netball legend Taini Jamison who died last month, aged 95. She took the Silver Ferns to their first world title at the 1967 Netball World cup
 

11:05 NZ Music Month: Spotlight on Space Waltz

This week, for New Zealand Music Month, Ian Chapman celebrates one of New Zealand’s most loved but shortest-lived bands from the mid-1970s: Alastair Riddell’s Space Waltz. From a #1 smash hit, 'Out On The Street’, to break up, they lasted less than two years. Now, almost 50 years later, they have reformed and are re-releasing their iconic 1975 album. Ian has written a new book about them: Alastair Riddell’s Space Waltz, and there's a brand new album ready to go - plus a nationwide tour. 

Ian Chapman is a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music at Otago University.

11:20 Calls for MSD debts to be wiped 

Andrew Hubbard from Citizens Advice Bureau joins Kathryn to share a new report which calls for the government to wipe the debts that clients owe to the Ministry of Social Development. 

11:45 Personal finance: Safe banking in troubled times

Money expert Liz Koh joins Kathryn to talk about how banks have always been a safe haven for investors during times of economic downturn, but recent failures around the world have shaken investor confidence. There are two important questions on the minds of investors. Are banks as safe as they used to be? Will we see bank failures in New Zealand? She'll talk about the Reserve Bank's financial stability report, which is published every six months, and credit rating details of banks which can be found here.  For a full explanation of credit ratings, there is a very useful guide on the Reserve Bank website.

 

 

Music played in this show

Track: Every Day is like the Last 
Artist: Wye Oak 
Time Played: 09:45

Track: West End Girls
Artist: Pet Shop Boys
Time Played: 10:32 

Track: She Works Hard for the Money
Artist: Donna Summer
Time Played: 10:35