Nine To Noon for Thursday 6 June 2024

09:05 Review of census: how will we gather data in future?

It's the five yearly door to door survey that literally counts us up, and give us a picture of who we are, where we live, and how we identify. But after two disappointing censuses - Stats NZ says it is looking to move beyond the traditional way it has done the official count. Last week Stats NZ released initial data from the 2023 census and more tranches of data will be released later in the year. A six week public consultation period is underway on the future use of official data and what will future censuses be like? Chief Statistician Mark Sowden joins Kathryn Ryan.

09:20 Auckland bus drivers 'fear for their lives' as violence and intimidation escalates

A union representing bus drivers in Auckland says many are going to work fearing for their lives, as aggressive behaviour and intimidation reaches crisis point. Auckland Transport data from earlier this year shows assaults on drivers have more than doubled over the past two years, from 24 assaults in 2022, to 51 in 2023. Recent incidents include a bus driver who was stabbed in the ribs by a passenger in March, and a female driver who was kicked and punched by someone who did not want to pay a fare in Ponsonby. Violent behaviour is impacting passengers too. First Union says drivers often feel pressured to step in despite not having the training, and the more serious incidents are the tip of the iceberg. First Union's Hayley Courtney, and Auckland Transport group manager of public transport operations Rachel cara, speak with Kathryn Ryan. 

09:35 Modellers find decades-long megadroughts on the way for Australia

Australia needs to be prepared for 'megadroughts' lasting more than 20 years, according to climate modellers. Scientists at the Australian National University used data from computer simulations of the Earth's climate over the past 1150 years. They found it is only a matter of time before parts of Australia would experience megadroughts lasting potentially decades. Variability in rainfall shows it has happened in the past and is going to happen again. ANU postdoctoral fellow Dr Georgy Falster and colleagues focussed their modelling on the Murray-Darling basin - the southeast of Australia and considered the country's agricultural centre. Dr Falster says climate change could make the intensity of these megadroughts worse. 

09:45 UK: Sunak-Starmer debate, Farage's shaky campaign start

UK correspondent Matt Dathan joins Kathryn to look at the first TV debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, the (milk)shaky start Nigel Farage has had to his campaign after he made a shock decision to stand for the right-wing Reform UK party and the confusion over whether veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott would be allowed to stand for the party in the seat she's held for 37 years.

Matt Dathan is Home Affairs Editor at The Times

10:05 Kaliane Bradley on her debut novel The Ministry of Time

Kaliane Bradley debut novel began as a bit of fun to entertain friends during lockdown in London. The Ministry of Time is both a time travel/sci fi novel, a romcom and a mystery with a twist. At the time,  she was also trying to write what she describes as "The Big Cambodian Novel" about the traumatic days of the Pol Pot regime in her mother's country. She says it just didn't fly.  Whereas The Ministry of Time did - and has. It was the subject of 48-hour bidding deal; translation rights were sold in 17 different languages; and a TV show is already in development with A24 and the BBC.  New Zealand Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton had this to say about The Ministry of Time when she read an advanced copy: "This is already the best new book I will have read next year". Kaliane Bradley joins Kathryn from London.

10:30 BNZ u-turns on physical branches

The Bank of New Zealand has done a u-turn in its position on physical branches - saying customers want more face-to face interactions. BNZ closed 38 branches across 2020 and 2021 - and it reduced opening hours at many branches since in recent years. BNZ now says it is bringing back the 'branch experience' and touting that all of its stores will be open at least five days a week from April next year. It says while there's been a shift to banking online and over the phone, following the pandemic customers have shown a desire for more face-to-face interactions. Chief executive of BNZ, Dan Huggins, spoke top Kathryn.

10:35 Book review: The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival 

Roger Christensen of Unity Books Auckland reviews The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival published by Simon & Schuster

10:45 Around the motu : Alisha Evans in Tauranga

The race to Tauranga’s first election in five years is heating up with 86 people vying for a spot at the council table. Mount Maunganui residents are furious about the possibility of taller buildings in their town centre. And there could also be a new way for people to get around the city as business hopes to set up a ferry service between Tauranga and the Mount. 

Western Bay of Plenty Local Democracy reporter Alisha Evans based in Tauranga with SunLive 

11:05 Tech: Upcycled Nissan Leaf batteries, bundle bother

Technology correspondent Juha Saarinen joins Kathryn to look at a new EV charger that has been made from used Nissan Leaf batteries. The low voltage berm battery system is located at Mercer and uses 18 repurposed Leaf batteries that would otherwise have been discarded to landfill. And Juha also looks at bundling - are consumers really getting a better deal by having all their utilities in one place?

 Juha Saarinen is technology editor at Interest.co.nz.

11:25 Baby Food Bible: Parents' go-to guide for the start of baby's food journey

Starting baby on solids can be a daunting prospect, no matter how many kids you have - since every child's food journey is different. Baby led weaning or spoon feeding? How to introduce potential allergens into their diet? How much is enough? Australian-based duo Julia Tellidis and Lauren Skora are a clinical nutritionist and baby nutrition consultant who have have teamed up to create what they've called 'Baby Food Bible'. In addition to extensive information about the whens and hows of introducing solids to a baby's diet, it's also chock-full of recipes designed to appeal to the fussiest little eaters.

11:45 Screentime: The Lie, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Eric

Chris Schulz joins Kathryn to discuss documentary The Lie (for rent on AppleTV, Neon, YouTube), which looks at what happened to Grace Millane in 2018 and what it says about society's attitude to violence toward women. He also looks at the latest Bad Boys movie with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence which is out at cinemas from today and a new TV miniseries Eric (Netflix), starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a New York puppeteer whose son goes missing.

Music played in this show

The Shacks - 'Crimson and Clover'

Maggie Rogers - 'So Sick of Dreaming'