Nine To Noon for Thursday 11 July 2024

09:05 Maritime lawyer on Aratere grounding

The lawyer representing the Aratere bridge crew is indicating the introduction of a new steering system, and training of crew in it, are factors that will be raised in the investigation into the grounding of the ferry. A leaked internal document shows the Aratere's grounding last month in the Marlborough Sounds was caused by a crew member accidentally triggering the ferry to change course. The Interislander's Safety Bulletin says the crew member pressed the button inadvertently, which caused the autopilot to change direction sooner than it should have. The document says the crew noticed the ship taking a wrong turn after passing Mabel Island, but around a minute passed before astern propulsion was utilised. The vessel ran aground just out of Picton on June 21 and the ship has only just returned to service. The safety bulletin goes on to say that while investigations are under way for a fuller picture of what happened - "it's unlikely the following causes will change significantly." Troy Stade is a lawyer acting for the Merchant Service Guild. His firm is acting for and representing the bridge crew during the various investigations and interviews they will take part in. 

09:15 When will NZ make its next move on tackling plastic?

It's been six months since recycling rules were standardised across the country - but there's concern the nation's next move on tackling plastic waste is stagnating. This year was supposed to see the rollout of the third tranche of moves to phase out single use plastic that began back in October 2022. This year should've seen all PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging gone - but the Ministry for the Environment says it's waiting for decision from Cabinet on that - and even if it's progressed, nothing would happen until mid-2026 - a whole year after originally signalled. Sue Coutts from the Zero Waste Network Aotearoa says we can't afford any delays; plastic is turning up in a myriad places it shouldn't and it's not fair on manufacturers who already got their act together.  Also joining the conversation is Hannah Judd, campaign lead for Plastic Free July. She says even if the plastic problem feels overwhelming, there are little things people can do to minimise it. 

09:35 Medicinal cannabis law changes a "game changer" for local industry 

The medicinal cannabis industry says changes to drug laws that have finally taken effect will be a game changer. The changes to the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Regulations will make it easier for New Zealand growers and manufacturers to export. Originally penciled to come into effect at the end of last year, Cabinet finally approved amendments to the regulations last week, with immediate effect. The new regulations mean that growers now only have to meet the standards of importing nations, rather than New Zealand's quality standards. This means products with cannabis-based ingredients (CBIs) , which are unavailable for sale in New Zealand, can be exported - and growers able to compete globally. Sally King, executive director of the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council, joins Kathryn. 

09:45 Dunedin charity helps jobseekers with their work wear

A Dunedin charity which supports job seekers is seeing increasing numbers of older people through its doors, as the cost-of-living crisis bites. Success Suits You supplies job-interview and work-appropriate clothing to those who don't have the financial means to get what they need or knowledge to know what's appropriate to be successful in the job market. The initiative is similar to the international Dress for Success model, but all inclusive of male, female, gender diverse and non-binary individuals. The service also provides CV and job search support and career advice. Deb Sutton is the founder of Success Suits You and speaks to Kathryn.

09:50 UK correspondent Matt Dathan

Keir Starmer is close to completing his first busy week as British Prime Minister, appointing his first cabinet and junior ministers - with some surprises. Mr Starmer is now in Washington DC attending the NATO Summit - where Ukraine and defence spending is the main talking point. Meanwhile there is tension and bickering among the Tories ahead of the party's leadership contest.

Matt Dathan is Home Affairs Editor at The Times

10:05 'Olympics of singing': eleven thousand in Auckland for the World Choir Games

Much of the world's attention is turning to the Paris Olympics, but you may not know that the 'olympics of singing' is already underway here in New Zealand. Nine thousand people from 40 different countries have travelled to Auckland to compete this week and next, with 82 hours of singing to be done between the open and champion categories. The annual event is running for its thirteenth year, and the decision to host it in Aotearoa has made participation possible for two thousand local singers. Choirs of all shapes and sizes are participating - the largest group is 176 people, and the smallest is just six. One such choir is the Sitting Room Singers, an acapella ensemble of based in Tamaki Makaurau, who'll be competing in the open section. Kathryn speaks to the choir's director Rachel Young, chairperson Belinda Sydenham, and vocal coach Jack Timings. Members Nica Israel, Nicole Schlichting, Jono Scogings, Alan Mason, and Jack Timings perform songs from their repertoire.

10:35 Book review: Bad Archive by Flora Feltham 

Ash Davida Jane reviews Bad Archive by Flora Feltham published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu : Samantha Gee in Nelson

RNZ Nelson reporter Samantha Gee talks about two high needs schools which are unsure of their future, despite the promise of refurbishment from the government.

11:05 Cybersecurity: What are brute force attacks? Russia wants VPNs gone from Apple

Cybersecurity consultant Tony Grasso joins Kathryn to talk about a rise in brute force attacks in New Zealand - what are they and how can they be successfully headed off? Russia has requested the removal of VPNs (Virtual Private Network) from the Apple platform. What's the reason behind it and how has Apple reacted? And Tony looks at Operation Morpheus, designed to take down Cobalt Strike servers that had been used by criminal networks.

Tony Grasso is Principal Consultant at cybersecurity firm TitaniumDefence. He worked at GCHQ in the UK and is a former Intelligence Officer in New Zealand.

11:25 Parenting: when preschoolers struggle with speaking skills

Wellington speech and language therapist Christian Wright discusses the different spoken language stages preschoolers go through as they learn to talk.  He shares language stimulation strategies for parents to help children's language development. Text in your questions for Christian on 2101 or email us on ninetonoon@rnz.co.nz

11:45 Screentime: Brats, 1.5 Degrees

Film and TV correspondent Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to look new documentary Brats (Netflix). It's from Andrew McCarthy, who was one of the so-called Brat Pack from the 1980s that the film focuses on, along with the likes of Rob Lowe, Demi More and Ally Sheedy. And Māori TV's 1.5 Degrees looks at the impact climate change is having on communities around the country.