Nine To Noon for Tuesday 16 July 2024

09:05 Need for speed: New survey captures Kiwis' thoughts on speed limit plans

As the government pushes on with plans to raise speed limits around the country, an NZTA survey has found strong support for lowering limits around schools. Kathryn speaks to NZ School Speed campaigner Lucinda Rees.

09:15 Concerns from parents and teachers that early childhood education sector review will leave children at risk 

A review into the early childhood education sector by the new Ministry of Regulation has the support of centre owners - but others are wary of a reduction in standards of education, and health and safety requirements. This review comes amid fears more teachers will depart the ECE sector and growing waitlist for childcare places. OECD research shows couples in New Zealand pay 37 per cent of their income towards childcare while the sector is increasingly dominated by large providers. Simon Laube from The Early Childhood Council, which represents around 1300 centres and their owners, joins Kathryn. Also joining the show is Susan Bates from support network The Teachers Advocacy Group, and Camille Furnandiz, a spokesperson for the Parents Council - an interest group with 800 members.

09:25 Could a smartphone app encourage children outdoors?

A small tech company is working on an app which it hopes could act as a confidante for children, and encourage them to get outdoors. Avatars Global has partnered with a U.S. company, to create a smartphone game with thousands of lifelike characters to pick from, which a young person can then interact with. The app would also set challenges - like going for a walk, or picking up a bag of rubbish - which a child could complete, for in-game digital rewards. Riley Malins says his team at Avatars Global is passionate about getting tamariki active and healthy, both mentally and physically.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

Former US president Donald Trump is in  Milwaukee amid strict security,  for his party's election convention. He has just been confirmed as the Republican Party's nominee for president. Questions however remain over his Secret Service security detail, following an attempt on his life at a rally in Butler Pennsylvania which killed an attendee.

 

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

10:05 Geneticist Marlena Fejzo lost her baby to morning sickness, so she discovered the cause

Geneticist Marlena Fejzo, like many women, suffered extreme morning sickness during her first pregnancy. When the symptoms returned during her second - escalating to the point she could do nothing but lay flat on her back - she sought medical help. But her doctor brushed off her symptoms, claiming many women play it up, for attention of sympathy. Marlena Fejzo miscarried - her body too frail from the unrelenting sickness, to support a baby. So, she set out to use her own expertise to solve the problem, last year discovering the gene behind hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness) and paving a path for scientists to begin looking for a cure. She is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Southern California, and has recently opened a clinic in the US to treat women affected by extreme morning sickness.

10:35 Book review: Power to Win: The Living Wage Movement in Aotearoa New Zealand by Lyndy McIntyre 

Paul Diamond reviews Power to Win: The Living Wage Movement in Aotearoa New Zealand by Lyndy McIntyre published by Otago University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Peter de Graaf in Northland

Northport expansion has been refused consent, Peter has been gauging reaction and he has an update on businesses seeking compensation following the toppled power pylon that knocked out power to Northland.

RNZ Northland reporter Peter de Graaf based in Kerikeri  

11:05 Business commentator Oliver Lewis

Fletcher’s cost management focus pauses software rollout until 2026.  The construction giant has spent tens of millions of dollars on a project called Digital@Flectcher to transition the majority of its businesses to a single integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Amidst ongoing uncertainty around its board and next CEO, Fletcher recently made the decision to pause the rollout. Oliver also talks to Kathryn about the KiwiRail board recommended build-and-sell option to resolve a $551m ferry contract, and Antarctica NZ abandoning a ‘highly risky’ Scott Base rebuild plan.

 

Oliver Lewis is Infrastructure Editor at BusinessDesk.

 

11:30 Emily Pattullo on her new psychological thriller

Author Emily Pattullo's new novel explores decisions we make when we're young, and the far reaching consequences they can have. Anna is teenager hanging out with her friends when they're involved in a car accident that kills someone. It's the worst-snowfall in years - and it literally covers their tracks. But secrets don't usually stay that way - and that's the premise the book; Silent as The Snow. Emily is a British author who's lived in New Zealand for a number of years. Her first book Ring Around Rosie, was a young adult novel that explored the issue of child trafficking.

11:45 Sports-chat with Glen Larmer

We are just 10 days away from the Olympic Games opening ceremony, Glen also casts an eye over Wimbledon, the finals of the European and South American football champs. and the All Blacks' win at the weekend.