Nine To Noon for Tuesday 2 July 2024

09:05 Doctors warn the government's latest capitation offer is inadequate

Family doctors say the government's latest funding offer is inadequate, and will see more GP practices shut down. The government has offered a four percent increase on the amount general practice gets paid per patient, a number which GP leaders say is too low to meet cost pressures. The so-called capitation system has long been dismissed by the sector as inadequate, citing a 2022 report by Sapere Research Group that asserts that revenue is below the true cost of care. And if benchmarks such as age, sex, ethnicity , deprivation and morbidity were factored in, most practices would need a 10 to 20 percent increase in funding. The capitation model currently only accounts for the age and sex enrolled patients. Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora says GPs can fill the funding gap by charging patients more for appointments. But General Practice NZ say they won't accept the four per cent capitation offer. A 20 day consultation period is underway. Dr Bryan Betty is the chair of General Practice NZ, and he speaks to Kathryn about the desperate financial state many clinics are in.

09:25 Time to talk amalgamation for Wellington again, mayors say 

Some Wellington region mayors are reviving talk of a Supercity. Porirua City Mayor Anita Baker - also chair of the Wellington Region Mayoral Forum, says her council's in favour of serious discussions about amalgamating with Wellington City, Hutt City and Upper Hutt. And Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says there needs to be serious discussion about it. A previous bid in 2015 for a Supercity taking in those councils, three Wairarapa councils, and the Wellington Regional Council, failed. But Ms Baker is opening debate on a more compact Supercity council, to tackle the region's infrastructure challenges and spiralling rates. However, Wellington City's mayor Tory Whanau says that while amalgamation "probably makes sense" in the longer term, there is no appetite for it right now. So what are the prospects?

09:40 What to expect from this year's New Zealand International Film Festival

The New Zealand International Film Festival kicks off at the end of this month, with 105 local and international films on offer.  The full list was revealed last night but many had already been announced, including 16 that have come straight from Cannes. The festival kicks off in Wellington on July 31, Auckland a week later and will then make its way through another eight cities over the course of the follow two months. In the hot seat is Paolo Bertolin, he joined the Festival as artistic director earlier this year and has worked on many other festivals including Cannes Critics' Week and the Venice International Film Festival. He takes Kathryn behind the scenes of this year's NZIFF.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

Ron discusses the US Supreme Court ruling that former presidents are entitled to some degree of immunity from criminal prosecution. What does the landmark ruling mean for the federal election interference case against Donald Trump? And the recent presidential debate has reignited talk over President Joe Biden's age, and sparked calls for the Democrats to find a replacement candidate for the upcoming election.

Ron Elving is a Senior Editor and Correspondent, Washington Desk for NPR news.

10:05 Scottish crime author Stuart MacBride on writing the perfect 'Tartan Noir'

Angus MacVicar is a newly minted Detective Constable, eager to start his first day in his dream job. He's even assigned to a big police operation - tracking down the 'Fortnight Killer' who's targeting couples in a Scottish city. But when he finds himself paired with a cantankerous forensic psychologist on loan from the FBI - things go, well... downhill. This story is the latest from the mind of best-selling Scottish author Stuart MacBride. His first novel, Cold Granite,  introduced fans to his Aberdonian Detective Logan McRae - another 15 followed - along with another three with Detective Ash Henderson, which are set in the fictional Scottish town of Oldcastle. That's where this latest work, A Place of Darkness, is also set. Kathryn speaks to him about why he cares about his characters, what makes a good killer and what's truly scared him.

10:35 Book review: All That we Know by Shilo Kino 

Carole Beu of the Women's Bookshop in Auckland reviews All That we Know by Shilo Kino published by Moa Press

10:45 Around the motu: Piers Fuller in Wairarapa

The district's largest community housing provider, Trust House plans to spend $130 million redeveloping, or rebuilding, most of its housing stock. This will involve demolishing 470 existing houses in Wairarapa and Tararua, and building 350 warmer, drier homes. 

11:05 Business commentator Victoria Young

A landmark decision from the Employment Relations Authority has found the Bank of New Zealand tried to fire a whistleblower for complaining about a series of events at her workplace. And BusinessDesk has just wrapped up an investigation into the business of early childhood education – who are the winners and the losers? And a look at the challenges facing the chocolate industry, as the price of cocoa rises.

Victoria Young is editor of BusinessDesk.

11:25 Tina Makereti on her new novel The Mires

Novellist, short story writer, editor and essayist Tina Makereti's new work of fiction, The Mires, tackles some big subjects - identity, racism, intolerance and what happens when that becomes extremism. It is set in the near future,  in a small New Zealand coastal settlement, where three women find themselves neighbours. Single mum of two Keri, Janet and older woman with an opinion on everything, and Sera, who has sought refuge in New Zealand from ecological devastation in Europe. Tina Makereti is the author of two novels, The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke and Where the Rēkohu Bone Sings.  She's also a short story writer, co-edited the anthology Black Marks on the White Page and has been the recipient of several writers residencies and awards. Tina will be speaking at Unity Books Wellington on Wednesday July 10th, 12.30pm-1.15pm, and appearing at WORD Christchurch Festival 2024 in August.

11:45 Sports-chat with Sam Ackerman

A New Zealander has claimed a famous win at Wimbledon, but why have we not heard more about Lulu Sun? Sam Ackerman looks at the incredible result and New Zealand’s presence at the iconic event, as well as Scott Robertson’s first test team about to be selected, the worrying trend for both the men's and women’s national cricket teams, and one to watch for Paris.