Nine To Noon for Monday 1 July 2024

09:05 Special needs students struggling for support in some mainstream schools

As specialist schools for students with disabilities receive a funding boost, questions remain over the pressure on mainstream schools providing for students with special needs. This year's Budget includes $89m to redevelop specialist day schools, and bolster capacity for them to have more satellite classrooms in mainstream schools. Advocates say securing a spot in a day school or even a satellite classroom is difficult. Maureen Poulter is principal of Christchurch's Ferndale Te Ahu School. Last year, her specialist school had to turn down 79% of applications, due to a lack of space. She speaks with Kathryn Ryan, along with Barbara Bowen, principal of Tāhunanui Primary School in Nelson, which has a satellite learning unit connected to nearby Maitai School.

09:25 Farewell EQC, hello Natural Hazards Commission

From today, the Earthquake Commission is no longer - it has become the Natural Hazards Commission.
The name change comes after a law change last year - aimed at making it easier and faster for residential homeowners to make a claim if their properties are damaged by a specified natural hazard. Natural Hazards Commission Chief Executive Tina Mitchell speaks with Kathryn about the change.

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

French President Emmanuel Macron's gamble to call a snap election to try to stop the rise of the far right appears to have backfired, with Marine Le Pen's National Rally out in front after the first round of polling today. The leaders of the EU have agreed to nominate Germany's Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission. And Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has raised eyebrows by unashamedly borrowing from former US president Donald Trump, coming up with the slogan 'Make Europe Great Again'.

10:05 End of an era for Rotorua Boys' High School 

Principal Chris Grinter has been at the helm at Rotorua Boys High School for 33 years, after becoming a teacher 50 years ago. Rotorua Boys' High has one of the highest rates of Māori students in the country - at 75 percent. The school was languishing when Mr Grinter arrived three decades ago, the roll was dropping and its reputation was not great. Now, it is the recipient of awards for sporting and cultural success and their NCEA results are something to be proud of. Last year's NCEA results for Year 12 students came in at 92 percent, and 96 for Year 13 - which Chris Grinter says has closed the gap between Māori and Pakeha achievement.

10:35 Book review: Tarot by Jake Arthur 

Harry Ricketts reviews Tarot by Jake Arthur published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Amy Williams in Auckland

Amy has been talking to Mangere residents, who say they feel like they are losing part of the community as more and more flood-damaged homes are bulldozed. Kainga Ora says close to ninety state homes hit by last year's Anniversary weekend floods will be demolished.

11:05 Political commentators Sue Moroney and Ben Thomas

Sue and Ben discuss the Government's recent big announcements on drugs, crime and plans for congestion charging. New Zealand First has invoked its 'agree to disagree' provision - how did it go down? The latest poll shows stable support for the coalition, but what about the 'preferred Prime Minister' stakes? And how is Labour's rebuilding strategy going?

Sue Moroney is a former MP with the Labour Party and now chief executive of Community Law Centres Aotearoa.

Ben Thomas is a former National government press secretary, a columnist and a director of public affairs firm Capital.

11:30 Nici Wickes on the perfect recipes to share... with yourself

Author, broadcaster, recipe developer and food editor Nici Wickes invites us back into her Quiet Kitchen for the second in her cookbook series. In her latest book, 'More from A Quiet Kitchen', she talks openly about the impact Cyclone Gabrielle had on her community as well as herself last year, as she lost her zest for cooking. The book, was a way of connecting - back to her garden, her kitchen and herself. The recipes are based on servings for one or two people - but they're still nutritious, quick and simple to make. 

11:45 Granny flat rule changes; the gritty detail explained

The Government is planning to liberalise granny flat rules, promising people will be able to get one built without resource consents. So what exactly is being proposed, and how easy will it actually be to build a self-contained dwelling in the backyard?

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