Nine To Noon for Monday 9 October 2023

 

 

09:05 Drugs, guns and money: the escalation of gangs in NZ

Why is gang membership growing and how are gangs changing? Most recent figures from the police Gang Harm Insights Centre suggests there are 8900 gang members in New Zealand. This compares with 10,700 frontline police officers. National is promising a crackdown on gangs if it forms the next government, including banning gang patches in public, and giving police powers to stop gang members gathering in public. NZ Herald investigative reporter Jared Savage has for years now been exploring the country's growing underbelly of organised crime and violent gangs, with particular focus on the methamphetamine trade. His first bestselling book Gangland was about the evolution of gangs in New Zealand.  His new book, Gangster's Paradise, just released,  is all about their escalation, which he attributes in large part to Australia's policy of deporting so-called 501s.

09:25 Buyout for flood and slip stricken Auckland homes

Auckland Council has unanimously voted to buy out about 700 storm-damaged properties, as part of a $2 billion cost-sharing package alongside Government. Category 3 homes, deemed uninhabitable and unfixable from the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle will be purchased at 95 per cent of market valuation. The largest cluster of affected homes is in the West Auckland suburbs of Rānui, Swanson and Henderson and coastal communities of Piha, Karekare and Muriwai. West Auckland Muriwai resident Caroline Bell-Booth's home is still standing, but she hasn't been able to return. She says Friday's announcement is a glimmer of hope, but also tells Kathryn there are still many unanswered questions. Another Muriwai resident, Laura Preston says her home is stuck between categories 2 and 3, and more assessment is needed on whether it can be affordably fixed.

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

Kathryn is joined by the BBC's Mideast correspondent Sebastian Usher. Israel is continuing its retaliation for the shock weekend strike by Hamas. He'll have the latest on the conflict, and also look at how much it has changed the diplomatic situation across the wider region.

 

10:05 Julian Dennison and Erana James on their new film Uproar

Laughter is not usually something associated with the 1981 Springbok Tour but a new film manages to inject some lighter moments into a seminal period in Kiwi history. Uproar is a coming-of-age film starring Hunt for the Wilderpeople's Julian Dennison as 17-year-old Josh Waaka. As a Maori kid in Dunedin in the '80s, he's treated as an outsider at his school until his talent as an actor is discovered by his drama teacher - played by Rhys Darby. He's introduced to a young Māori woman, Samantha , played by Erana James - who helps get him involved in the anti-Tour movement. Uproar had its debut at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month and is out in cinemas now. Julian and Erana speak to Kathryn about what it was like to go back in time for this film - and how its themes are still relevant today.

10:35 Book review: Cheri by Jo Ann Beard 

 Melanie O'Loughlin from Lamplight Books reviews Cheri by Jo Ann Beard published by Serpent's Tail

10:45 Around the motu : Mike Tweed in Whanganui

What colour will Whanganui go in this election? It's a seat held by Labour's Steph Lewis, but a new National candidate Carl Bates will fancy his chances. Other election battles in the area include who will take over from Adrian Rurawhe in the Te Tai Hauāuru Māori electorate and the National stronghold of Rangitīkei. Whanganui Chronicle multimedia journalist Mike Tweed also discusses the unlikely visit of a former Baywatch star in Taihape.

11:05 Political commentators Morton and Jones

With five days to go til the election, our political panelists discuss the campaign so far.

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.

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, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis.

11:25 Tina Duncan: 60 years of cooking for others and still loving it

Tina Duncan has been cooking for others for 60 years and says she still loves it! She is a cook, caterer, cooking school tutor and now author of a new book Plated: A lifetime love affair with food. Born and bred on a Canterbury farm, Tina began cooking as a child, helping feed the family of either. By ten, she was cooking full roast dinners and dinner parties shortly thereafter. From a small easy dinner to catering for thousands of weddings, she still loves cooking for others. She shares tips and tricks for fuss-free food with Kathryn.

11:45 Urban issues with Bill McKay

Bill McKay discusses Te Mātāwai, Kāinga Ora's new 276 apartment complex in central Auckland.

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