Nine To Noon for Thursday 15 February 2024

 

 

09:05 Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown demands aggressive action to fix rail system

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown is demanding aggressive action to fix the supercity's rail system after multiple failures this week. 88 trains were cancelled across the commuter network on Monday, with Auckland Transport (AT) citing the heat, speed restrictions, crew shortages, and a breakdown. On Thursday AT, along with KiwiRail, train operator Auckland One Rail, and the Office of the Minister of Transport were pulled into Wayne Brown's office for what he's earlier told media would be a "barking". He's since said it went "surprisingly well" and over the next week sections of rail will be fixed, and a joint operation centre opened next month for agencies to work together. Auckland's transport landscape has changed significantly since Mayor Brown took office. Under a National Government, light rail has been scrapped, as well as the Regional Fuel Tax, which has led the Mayor to pull several roading projects which were funded by it. That on a backdrop of a supercity recovering from the Anniversary Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle one year ago.

09:20 Oyster vaccine set to save multi-million dollar industry 

Research is underway to combat a virus that's devastated New Zealand's multimillion-dollar Pacific oyster industry. Nelson's Cawthron Institute has been granted $1 million over three years from MBIE's Endeavour Fund to develop a practical vaccine for Pacific oyster mortality syndrome, also known as Poms. The disease was first recorded in New Zealand in 2010, and resulted in an initial loss of more than 70% of stock, and oyster farmers are still reported to be losing between 40 - 60 % of spat (young oysters). Previously, a vaccine was thought impossible for shellfish. The vaccine in development will be a world first, with global commercial potential. Speaking to Kathryn Ryan is one of the project's co-leaders, Aquaculture Scientist, Julien Vignier from Cawthron Institute.

 

09:45 UK: House-build boost, Labour anti-semitism row, Cameron Ukraine plea

UK correspondent Lara Spirit joins Kathryn to talk about the government's planning changes aimed at encouraging more housing development, Labour's investigation into antisemitism following allegations against two parliamentary candidates and reaction to an article penned by Foreign Secretary David Cameron to US Republican lawmakers over Ukraine.

Lara Spirit is a reporter for The Times Red Box, where she covers politics from Westminster.

10:05 Firefighters now tackle second blaze near Christchurch

Emergency services have confirmed a second fire near Christchurch. Firefighters are responding to a grass fire that is threatening buildings in Rolleston. Four trucks and one tanker have been sent to the blaze. Meanwhile the large blaze on the Port Hills has crossed the boundary into the Adventure Park and now covers hundreds of hectares. RNZ reporter Tim Brown is at the cordon on the intersection of Worsleys Rd and McVicar Dr in the Port Hills.

10:10 Dr Jen Martin on the science behind our weirdest thoughts and habits

We all ponder the big questions sometimes. Things like: Why does time seem to speed up as you get older?; Why can't we remember things from our earliest years?; How come we find baby animals so cute? The answers to these questions about what's going on in our brains have fascinated Dr Jen Martin. She spent her early career working as an ecologist, but felt her skills were better put to use helping to improve science communication. To that end, she founded the science communication programme at the University of Melbourne. Dr Jen is also a regular on 3-Triple-R radio, runs a blog called espressoscience.com and has a new book out called 'Why am I like This?' which is focused on the science behind our weirdest thoughts and habits.

10:35 Book review: Spent Light by Lara Pawson

Kiran Dass reviews Spent Light by Lara Pawson published by CB Editions

10:45 Around the motu : Mike Tweed in Whanganui

Completion of the long waited, sometimes maligned Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment is drawing near. At this stage, the total cost will be somewhere around $68 million. Whanganui District Council has unveiled three rates options for the the next three years. And local medical identity, Dr Alan Mangan is retiring after 44 years.

Mike Tweed is a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle 
 

11:05 Technology: Angry Waymo mob, Right to Disconnect, 10 years of streaming

Technology correspondent Bill Bennett joins Kathryn to look at why an angry mob trashed and set fire to a Waymo self-drive car. Also can bosses who contact their employees after hours in Australia expect to pay a penalty, now the country has a Right to Disconnect law? There's been 10 years of streaming television in New Zealand, Bill looks back at its evolution. And Google's making changes to all the services it previously offered for free.

11:25 How to help with back-to-school anxiety   

It's early on in the school year, but some children will still be feeling anxiety about returning to the classroom. Kathryn speaks with parenting coach Dayna Galloway about strategies for parents and caregivers.

11:45 Screentime: The New Look, Strife, Curb Your Enthusiasm 

Film and TV reviewer Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to talk about The New Look (AppleTV), which explores the rise of fashion designer Christian Dior as he dethrones Coco Chanel amid a backdrop of WWII and Nazi-occupied Paris. She'll also review Strife (ThreeNow), which is set in the ever-changing world of publishing and digital media and the 12th and final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm (Neon).