Nine To Noon for Thursday 7 December 2023

09:05 Queenstown mayor on town's boil water situation

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is on the brink of lifting its boil water notice. After a breakout of the cryptosporidium parasite in the resort town back in the middle of September 2023 residents and businesses were required to boil their tap water. That boil water notice has remained to today for those in and around the CBD as the council worked to install UV water treatment equipment at its Two Mile water supply. The council says that work is now done and it is awaiting confirmation from water regulator Taumata Arowai that it can lift the boil water notice.    

09:20 Police Association on government's "back to basics" plan

The Police union says the new Minister's expectations are very clear, but it's less clear how they can be achieved, while having to make cost savings.Mark Mitchell met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster yesterday and released a letter afterwards setting out what he expects, including more of a focus on core policing with a back-to-basics approach. Mr Mitchell says he wants a more visible police presence and new legislation used to crack down on gangs. But he also told the Police Commissioner that police would still have to find cost savings, just as other government agencies and departments do. President of the Police Association, Chris Cahill, says police are already struggling to retain officers, and it's going to be tough to deliver what the government wants without more resources.

09:35 Timaru brewery builds a wastewater plant to turn byproduct into compost

DB Breweries' plant at Washdyke in Timaru is not only churning out beer - it's also making its own compost. Three years ago the company started a project that would see it treat its own wastewater, instead of using the city's treatment system. The byproduct is used as compost and diverted from landfill. Brewery manager Adrian Finlayson talks about how the project came about, what it involves and his own interesting career brewing beer in unusual places.

09:45 UK: Boris at Covid inquiry, new Rwanda treaty, Ryanair outrage

UK correspondent Matthew Parris looks at what former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told the Covid inquiry - including that he "should've twigged" about the seriousness of the virus sooner. The Home Secretary James Cleverly says a new treaty with Rwanda addresses some concerns of the UK's Supreme Court, which ruled the government's deportation plan unlawful last month. Rules for couples wanting to settle in UK have changed, with a big jump in the amount they will have to earn from £18,600 to  £38,700. And a change at Ryanair has some customers seething.

10:05 Philippa Gregory: telling the stories of women missing from conventional histories

Phillipa Gregory is best known for her works of historical fiction which have sold many millions around the world. The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen are among her almost 40 novels. Her new book is a big departure - a work of non fiction which celebrates previously invisible women at the centre of history. Philippa Gregory is a recognised historian - she has a PhD from University of Edinburgh, where she was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She tells Susie Ferguson that Normal Women: 900 Year of Making History is the culmination of her life's work.

10:30 Book review: Reconnecting Aotearoa: Loneliness and Connection in the Age of Social Distance 

Paul Diamond reviews Reconnecting Aotearoa: Loneliness and Connection in the Age of Social Distance Edited by Kathy Errington and Holly Walker published by Bridget Williams Books

10:35 Short Story winner: The Wanderer (a Ghost Story)  by Richard Benefield           

A six year old recalls an incident that happened many years ago while on a fishing trip with his father on the Tongariro river. A contemplation on life and how a good fisherman might navigate the currents as the light of the day fades to black. The Wanderer (a Ghost Story) is written by Richard Benefield and told by Peter Hambleton. It is one of the 2023 Nine to Noon Short Story Competition winners.

10:45 Around the motu: Libby Kirkby McLeod in Hamilton 

The Hamilton City Council has been considering its draft long term plan budget, with the Mayor, Paula Southgate saying tough decisions will need to be made. The beach-side community of Raglan, in Waikato, needs a new plan for its treated sewage with the current treatment plant operating under an expired consent for the last three years.  Limits have been placed on Waikato River wake boats to help stop spread of invasive clam and Libby will talk about the iconic Wellington Street Beach in Hamilton.

 RNZ Waikato Reporter Libby Kirkby-McLeod  

11:05 Tech: Nuclear site hacked, satellites and telcos, Musk's fight with advertisers

Technology correspondent Bill Bennett joins Susie to talk about a report that Europe's most toxic nuclear site, Sellafield in the UK, has been the target of a cyber attack. Not only that, it happened in 2015 and the malware may still be present. He'll also talk about the impact that satellites have had on New Zealand's telco sector, and the continuing cost to X (formerly Twitter) of owner Elon's Musk's outburst at advertisers.

11:20 'He's just lazy':  What not to say about a child's speech and language development

Speech and Language Therapist Christian Wright on what NOT to say to parents concerned about their child's speech and language development. And he'll share strategies for dealing with these questions if they do arise.

11:45 Screentime: New Christmas movies

Film and TV correspondent Laumata Lauano has been working her way through the new Christmas offerings so you don't have to!