Nine To Noon for Friday 19 July 2024

09:05 Cycling NZ criticised again for how it selects high performance riders 

Cyling New Zealand is criticised again over the way it selects high performance riders, and its approach to athlete rights and wellbeing. World champion mountain biker Sammie Maxwell this month won an appeal against Cycling NZ's decision, not to nominate her for the Paris Olympics. The independent disputes body, the Sports Tribunal, ruled Cycling NZ took an unfair and discriminatory approach in not selecting Maxwell, based on an out-of-date medical report, relating to her eating disorder, which she was not given a chance to respond to. Cycling New Zealand has been the subject of two critical independent reviews - the last commissioned after the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore in 2021. Sammie Maxwell's successful appeal over Cycling NZ's decision is not a first. Nine to Noon has spoken with the mother of another young athlete who represented New Zealand last year, after a successful challenge against his non-selection by Cycling NZ. Kathryn speaks to Sammie Maxwell's lawyer Ian Hunt.

09:15 Sports Integrity Commission on its goals for athlete welfare

The Sport Integrity Commission opened its doors at the start of this month. The new body has absorbed Drug Free Sport NZ as well as a mediation service to deal with complaints. It will also oversee the Integrity Code - by setting consistent standards to prevent threats to the integrity of sports organisations and participants. The chief executive of the Sport Integrity Commission, Rebecca Rolls, speaks to Kathryn.

09:20 The rising cost of burials and cremations 

The Funeral Directors' Association has just released figures for the last year, showing council costs for burials and cremations are continuing to rise, and some smaller centres are experiencing very large increases. In Wairoa, for example, council costs have gone up 48% for burials and 42% for ash burials, although the district is the second cheapest place at $2960 for a burial, and $630 for an ash burial. The New Plymouth District Council area is the most expensive - where burials cost $7207, and $1900 to bury ashes. Chief executive of the Funeral Directors' Association, Gillian Boyes, says on top of increased council costs, her members are faced with rising labour costs, materials costs and compliance costs.

09:35 Avian architectural skills

New research has shown just how adept birds are at adapting to their environment. The key is in the structure of their nests and how they change to accommodate climatic factors. One of the researchers - Dr Claire Taylor, is a Research Fellow in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Melbourne.

09:45 Asia correspondent Elizabeth Beattie

Pacific Islands leaders are in Tokyo discussing various issues, including climate change, regional security and concerns over the Fukushima waste water release. New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters is attending. In Hong Kong, Wall Street Journal reporter Selina Cheng claims she was fired after being elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association. The paper has denied the claim. 

Elizabeth Beattie is a journalist based in Tokyo.

10:05 Dr Juliet Gerrard on six years as PM Science Advisor

Dr Juliet Gerrard has recently finished up after six years as the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor.
They were years dominated by the Covid pandemic, where she was integral to New Zealand's cautious response and subsequent vaccine rollout.  During those years she also advised the government on some other controversial subjects including fluoride, cannabis law reform and gene editing. Dr Gerard, who is a biochemist, also saw in that time the rise of disinformation, at times an anti-science backlash and vitriol towards scientists. She's taking a step back from public life now, but is concerned about the state of the science sector, which has seen job losses and funding cuts, and the end of the National Science Challenges.

10:35 Book review: Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel

Martene McCaffrey of Unity Books Auckland reviews Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel published by Daunt Books

10:45 Around the motu: Jonathan Leask in Ashburton

Hakatere Huts residents have accepted an apology from the Ashburton District Council in the hopes of reaching a solution in their battle over bollards. In Methven, after years of concern, the speed limit from Racecourse Avenue to past Holmes Road, covering 600m, is dropping from 100kph to 60kph. And Ashburton's former council civic building will go on the market later this year. 

Local Democracy Reporter - Mid Canterbury Jonathan Leask from the Ashburton Guardian.

11:05 New music with Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy plays a hits set from George Benson, plus new releases from future superstar Chappell Roan and Cigarettes After Sex, plus an unearthed treasure from Kirsty MacColl.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

The All Blacks hit San Diego, the Warriors season goes on the line, four Kiwis chase golf’s most prestigious trophy, a huge expansion announcement for an enterprising NZ sporting competition and how young is too young to play top level sport?  Sam looks into the week’s best sporting topics.

11:45 The week that was with Elisabeth Easther and Donna Brookbanks

The comedian with a story about how sprinkler left on in frosty Gore inadvertently created a skating rink.