Nine To Noon for Tuesday 13 June 2023

 

 

09:05 How high could power prices go to pay for increased electrification?

 Is New Zealand ready for the scale of electrification it's going to need in the future? And what will it cost us to get there? Kathryn's guest this morning is the former chief executive of the Electricity Networks Association, which represents all 27 lines companies that operate the poles and wires bringing power to homes and businesses across the country. Graeme Peters left last month after eight years in the role, but his departing comment that households will be paying twice as much as they do now for electricity within five years generated some headlines.  More sectors, like transport, are going electric - and that's going to require more investment in electricity generation and distribution - with a corresponding increase in charges. Graeme joins Kathryn to talk about the implications.

 

09:25 Disconnected: new study into rural broadband

A new study investigating the availability of reliable broadband in rural areas, and the impact this has on lives and businesses, is being welcomed by farmers.  The Commerce Commission's study aims to paint a picture of the rural telecommunications market, including the options available to communities, businesses and farmers, beyond the national UFB fibre footprint, and how these are priced and performing.  Fibre has been rolled out to 87 percent of the country's households, mainly in urban areas. That means more than one in every ten homes don't have it, mainly in rural areas.  Federated Farmers did a survey last year showing coverage, reliability and speed of mobile and internet services for many farming families and businesses are treading water, if not going backwards.  Almost 1 in 5 farms are moving to relatively expensive satellite broadband, such as Star Link, where fibre isn't available. Kathryn speaks with Federated Farmers national telecommunications chairperson Richard McIntyre and Chief Executive of the Tech Users Group Craig Young, who is also welcoming the review, but cautions satellite connection is not a good enough option.

 

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

Ron joins Kathryn to talk about tomorrow's scheduled court appearance for former President Donald Trump on 37 charges relating to how he handled classified documents after he left the White House. He's landed back in Miami to face the charges, which he denies, and many of his supporters have travelled to Florida to support him, raising security concerns. Meanwhile Ron says Congress is hobbled by internal struggles of Republicans, and Democrats continue to have doubts about President Biden.

Ron Elving is a senior editor and correspondent, Washington Desk for NPR News

 

10:05 Dad and daughter authors Raj and Leela Chakraborti

Dad and daughter Rajorshi & Leela Chakraborti, dreamed up the plot for a children's book on walks together during the first lockdown. Leela was just 8 years old then. Now, their book The Bad Smell Hotel, has just been published. It is set in the future, where robots do everything for humans, but where flatulence afflicts so many people that children have to leave their families and live in Bad Smell Hotels. The hero, Jerry, manages to resolve the crisis. Raj is the author of six novels, one of which was longlisted for the 2019 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.  Leela is 11 now, at intermediate school, and they both join Kathryn with their story.

10:35 Book review: Pet by Catherine Chidgey

Louise O'Brien reviews Pet by Catherine Chidgey, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Andrew McRae in Hamilton

The invasive Gold Clam has been found in the Waikato River. Andrew says it's a concern because the exotic species is a prolific breeder  - producing 400 offspring in one day  - which can clog up water-based infrastructure like water treatment plants and irrigation systems. Fieldays kicks off tomorrow - after Covid it's now back to its regular June schedule and a decision is due on Friday on the final plan for Founders Theatre.

11:05 Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson

The Finance Minister of France has secured another deal to combat rising grocery prices for consumers, with firms such as multinational Unilever agreeing to cut prices on hundreds of products. What is being done in New Zealand to make food more affordable?. Rebecca also talks to Kathryn about ChatGP’s owner OpenAI being been hit with a defamation lawsuit, believed to be the first of its kind. And Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time, is heading to America, and the mega-deal matches his greatness.

Rebecca Stevenson  is a senior writer at interest.co.nz

11:30 Consumer news: Insurance costs, cheap and cheerful power providers

As the cost of living continues to put the squeeze on many households, we look at new research from Consumer NZ which suggests insurance is becoming a casualty. Many people are choosing to cancel or not renew their house or contents insurance - but are there ways to bring down the cost of your premiums and still have the cover you need?Consumer has also looked into the power providers leading the pack when it comes to happy customers, and the top tips to make your money go further when you're travelling. Gemma Rasmussen, head of campaigns and communications for Consumer joins Kathryn.

11:45 Sports-chat with Marc Hinton

 

Stuff senior sports writer Marc Hinton looks ahead to the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals and the Crusaders-Blues rivalry. Ian Foster will unveil his first squad of 36 All Blacks this weekend, can we expect any new faces?. The Warriors have had another statement performance for the NZ NRL side with a 36-14 victory over Canberra across the ditch. And with Serbia's Novak Djokovic crowned grand slam champion in the French Open over the weekend in Paris, the debate continues about whether he's the greatest male tennis player of all time.

Music played in this show

Artist: This is the Kit 
Song: More Change
Time played: 9:55am 

Artist: Bar Italia
Song: Changer 
Time played: 11:45am