Nine To Noon for Monday 12 June 2023

09:05 Years-long waitlist for sperm donors drives many towards unregulated social media groups

There is concern the years-long waitlist for sperm donors is driving people towards unregulated Facebook groups, in their desperation to start a family. Opting out of official channels means missing out on a donor's medical history, not to mention the personal safety risks of an at-home insemination. Some Aotearoa forums have thousands of members - and Fertility Associates group medical director, Dr Andrew Murray, has flagged his concerns. However the cost of going through a clinic can run in to the tens of thousands of dollars, and some people simply cannot afford it, or the three-year wait. Christian Newman is the founder of donor matchmaking site Love Makes a Family. It acts as a middle ground between a clinic, and the social media route, which he launched after his own challenges having a child. Christian Newman and Dr Andrew Murray speak to Kathryn Ryan.
 

09:25 Study hopes for meth impact reversal in the brain

A Gisborne-based research project is using MRI scanning to study the impacts of methamphetamine in the brain. New Zealand is among countries with the highest use of meth globally, with wastewater data showing this is concentrated in rural towns in Northland, the Bay of Plenty, and Hawkes Bay - all areas which have high Māori populations.The project is called 'The Matai meth recovery study', and early data is showing changes to the brain are potentially reversible. Kathryn speaks with principal researcher Miriam Scadeng, Associate Professor at The University of Auckland, and community advocate Tuta Ngarimu, Manager at Manaaki Moves Trust, who has himself overcome a meth addiction and is now on a mission to give back to his community.

 

09:45 Europe: Ukraine counteroffensive, French Alps stabbing, Pope surgery

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney joins Kathryn to talk about the early successes being reported by Kyiv, as Ukraine launches its long-awaited counteroffensive against Russian forces. He notes there's a virtual media blackout, making it difficult for foreign reporters to confirm what's happening on the ground. Seamus will also talk about how thousands turned out in the French Alps town of Annecy in support of the children stabbed in an attack at a playground and how the Pope has undergone surgery for an abdominal hernia, leading him to miss Sunday prayers.

10:05   Former All Black prop Billy Bush on life on and off the field
 

Billy Bush played 37 games for the All Blacks between 1974 and 1979, achieved a century of games for Canterbury and captained for the Māori All Blacks. Since his playing days,he has been involved in the sport as a coach and an administrator. His services to rugby have also resulted in being appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and he is a life member of the NZ Māori Rugby Board. Now 74, he drives buses on long haul runs around the South Island. His new book Billy Bush: A Front Row View on Life  has been co written with Phil Gifford.

10:35 Book review: The Girl in the Water by Joseph Howse

Nicky Walker reviews The Girl in the Water by Joseph Howse, published by Nummist Media

10:45 Around the motu : Samantha Gee in Nelson

Samantha details the lengthy fundraising efforts by Motueka locals for an indoor swimming pool. Also an update on West Coast flood protection funding, Nelson’s flood recovery, Blenheim’s new library’s continuing woes, and Nelson’s Tāhunanui Beach closes this week for excavation of contaminated sawdust.

 

Samantha Gee is RNZ's Nelson reporter

11:05 RNZ CEO Paul Thompson on investigation into the altering of Reuters articles

RNZ has launched an independent review following revelations an RNZ staffer altered Reuters copy to include-pro Russian propaganda and added-in incorrect details about the war in Ukraine. Two hundred and fifty articles dating back to January last year have been audited, and sixteen are now known to have been altered by a digital journalist, whom RNZ has placed on leave. Kathryn Ryan speaks to RNZ's chief executive and Editor in Chief, Paul Thompson.

11:10 Political commentators Neale Jones & Tim Hurdle

A Parliamentary inquiry has been launched and Michael Wood has temporarily lost his transport portfolio, after he failed to disclose and sell his shares in Auckland Airport. Mr Wood told the Cabinet Office numerous times he would dispose of the shares, but had failed to do so. Neale, Tim and Kathryn discuss whether he will be able to return as Transport Minister. National says the government has killed the He Waka Eke Noa plan, and that it is no longer a bipartisan process. Party leader Christopher Luxon claims the government is no longer working in consensus with the sector on its agricultural emissions plan. And a new poll is suggesting crime is registering more and more as a concern with voters

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 public affairs firm Capital.

 

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, was the National Party Campaign Director in 2020. He is a director of several companies, including Museum Street Strategies, a public affairs firm.

11:30 Plant based winter warmers 

Northland's Veggie Tree Cook School creator Anna Valentine with tips on getting more plant based food onto your plate. From how to make a vege stock to a meatless cottage pie loaded with nutrients, there are more than 100 vegetarian based recipes in her new book Abundance. And Anna says they can easily be adapted to vegan or gluten free meals. 
 

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne in French Polynesia

Today Kennedy speaks to us from the island of Ra'iatea in French Polynesia, the island from which the discovers of Aotearoa set forth centuries ago. He also speaks about his new underwater memoir which is being launched this coming Sunday.