Nine To Noon for Friday 5 July 2024

09:05 Mental health targets are achievable: Minister

The Minister for Mental Health says promises about improving access to mental health services are achievable. The government has set targets to ensure patients get seen more quickly by specialists services, have shorter stays in EDs,  and faster access to primary mental health services. It has also pledged to train 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year, and says a quarter of all mental health and addiction investment will be allocated towards prevention and early intervention.  Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey outlined the targets yesterday, along with an announcement that at least $10 million will be allocated to a new Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund - for non-governmental initiatives that reduce demand on the public system. He explains how the changes will be achieved.

09:35 UK election: Polls close as Labour victory expected

Polls have just closed in the UK where the British Labour Party seems poised to sweep to power. While the official count now begins, exit polls can now be released. Opinion polls during the six week summer campaign called by a soggy Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the steps of Number 10 had Keir Starmer's Labour party winning even more than his predecessor Tony Blair in his 1997 landslide win. The Conservatives have spent the last 14 years in power, but those same polls found the party could be on track for its worst result in its near-200 year history. Kathryn speaks with Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, whose most recent book published last year was The Conservative Party after Brexit: Turmoil and Transformation.

09:45 Asia correspondent Elizabeth Beattie

A group of young environmental activists have been jailed in Cambodia on charges that they were plotting against the government and insulting the king, prompting outrage from international rights groups. In India, a police investigation is underway after a mass crush killed more than 120 people at a religious festival. And Japan's Government has finally eliminated the use of floppy disks.

Elizabeth Beattie is a journalist based in Tokyo.

10:05 The ancient artefacts that still baffle archaeologists

Archeologists are in the business of understanding the past, by observing, recording, and interpreting objects and items from history. It could be as simple as an arrowpoint or pot, or as complex as the ruins of a prehistoric village. But there are still some ancient artefacts that archaeologists are puzzled by. Natasha Harlow, Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Nottingham joins Kathryn Ryan to talk about them.

10:30 UK vote count continues, Labour on track for win

As the official election tally continues, Kathryn is joined by Phil Burton-Cartledge to discuss how the two major parties are expected to fare and the elements that led both to this point. Phil is a lecturer in sociology at the University of Derby, politics blogger and author of The Party's Over: The Rise and Fall of the Conservatives from Thatcher to Sunak.

10:35 Book review: The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry 

Lisa Adler from Unity Books Wellington reviews The Heart in Winter by Kevin Barry published by Canongate

10:45 Around the motu: Georgina Campbell in Wellington

More ferry woes with the Interislander Kaitaki ferry's stabiliser fin missing for more than 18 months. This has resulted in sailings cancelled this week due to large swells, while rival operator Bluebridge could continue with a freight-only service .Meanwhile two KiwiRail board directors have resigned and the chairman has retired early. And parents at Wellington's St Benedict's School are taking bullying complaints to the Education Minister. 

11:05 New music with Jeremy Taylor

Forty years on from their debut, The Jesus and Mary Chain are back with a corking new album, plus local baroque-folkers French For Rabbits, and Engelbert Humperdinck.

11:30 Sports commentator Dana Johannsen

Dana discusses the Football Ferns' turbulent path to the Olympics, after coach Jitka Klimková stepped aside under mysterious circumstances. All signs are pointing to a tense series between the All Blacks and England - will the NZ public allow new coach Scott Robertson a grace period while he finds his feet? Also - a potential eligibility change for the Silver Ferns, and a look at New Zealand's rising tennis star at Wimbledon.

Dana Johannsen is RNZ's sports correspondent.

11:45 The week that was with Donna Brookbanks and Irene Pink

Comedians Donna Brookbanks and Irene Pink look at the lighter moments of the week, including a nine year old chess star set to become England’s youngest player. A painting described as a masterpiece which was found in a plastic bag in London has sold at auction for £17.6m (NZ$36.7m). And the duo ponders a big question - is having an AI boss better than having a human one?