Nine To Noon for Friday 26 July 2024

09:05 Half of small businesses fail to sell, sales worse now than lockdown

One of the country's largest business sales firms says up to half of small businesses that go up for sale, fail to find a buyer, and many business owners simply shut the doors and walk away with nothing to show for a lifetime of labour. Bruce Cattell is Chief Executive of Link Business Brokers, which connects owners with buyers globally - it has 23 offices across New Zealand, Australia, and the USA. He says in many cases, business owners are so caught up in the daily grind, that they cannot prepare for sale, and some are so exhausted and burnt out, they just want out. This follows data from accounting firm Xero showing that small and medium sized businesses are facing the biggest fall in sales since the Covid lockdown four years ago. Kathryn speaks with Bruce Cattell from Link Business Brokers and Paul Churchman, Xero NZ's head of sales.

09:15 More than morning sickness - living with HG

Hyperemesis gravidarum, also known as HG, is a medical condition experienced by about one in every hundred pregnant women. It's the most severe form of nausea and vomiting and can lead to severe health complications, including dehydration, malnutrition, suicidal ideation, and often requires hospitalisation. HG is severely underresearched and misunderstood around the world, including here in New Zealand. New Zealands only Hyperemesis Peer Support group was started by Katie Daly, a social worker in Christchurch and HG survivor, who felt isolated during her pregnancies, with little support and understanding from health professionals around the condition. 

09:30 School mates, now band mates, Dunedin band IVY

Kathryn meets Dunedin band IVY, who formed as students at Dunedin's Bayfield Highschool during Covid. Jesse Hanan, James Axton, Connor Cooper, Louis Stevenson and Ocean Temple-Wilson played their first gig in 2021. Last year they won a competition run by the Otago University Students' Association and local radio station Radio One, and as part of the prize package,  got the chance to record their music in a proper studio. Later today they'll release one of those songs on Spotify for the first time. The bandmates join Kathryn from the house they share in North Dunedin.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has spoken out  about the eruption of deadly violence in Papua New Guinea. There are now 4500 Bougainvillean residents backing a legal suit against mining giant Rio Tinto. And Fiji is on track to defend its Tokyo Olympics sevens gold medal after just beating Ireland in this morning's quarterfinal.

Koroi Hawkins is RNZ Pacific Editor.

10:05 Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams on Synthony - the orchestra-dance mashup going global

With her trademark pony tail, blazer and comfy shoes, Sarah-Grace Williams is in control of Synthony - the musical phenomenon that combines a full orchestra with the biggest dance bangers. Over 30,000 people crammed the Auckland Domain to experience it in February. What started as a small show in the Auckland Town Hall is now a regular in cities across Australasia. Sarah-Grace has been Synthony's principal conductor since 2019. She has an impressive career, having conducted the Queensland, Adelaide, West Australian, Tasmanian and Perth Symphony Orchestras - as well as the Auckland Philharmonia. In 2009 she founded her own orchestra - The Metropolitan Orchestra  - based in Sydney. Its annual seasons include a variety of events - from its popular Met Concert seasons to its cushion concerts for kids. Sarah-Grace will be back in New Zealand next week for Synthony's newest incarnation - Synthony Pride.

10:35 Book review: Migration by Steph Matuku 

Jessie Bray Sharpin reviews Migration by Steph Matuku published by Huia Publishers

10:45 Around the motu: Peter Newport Queenstown Lakes District

The Otago Regional Council is proposing a shift in the balance of power between Dunedin and the Southern Lakes/Central Otago. Three Southern airports - Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown have announced they will collaborate more and compete less. And an entire community buzz has emerged from the work of some Arrowtown volunteers who have created a delightfully retro ice rink.

Peter Newport is Managing Editor,  Crux, based in Arrowtown

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Tiger In The River is the debut album from Auckland psychedelic R'n'B/ folk band Skilaa, and Grant loves it. We'll hear two tracks from that today, followed by a song from Christchurch band Loves Ugly Children, who are reuniting after 27 years for a couple of live shows in Christchurch and Auckland. To finish, some bracing Afro-funk from Senegal's Touré Kunda.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

The Olympics haven’t even officially opened yet but already there is heartbreak and controversy surrounding some of the New  Zealand teams. Sam looks at our medal hopes and ones to watch.

11:45 The week that was with Michele A'Court and Donna Brookbanks

Michele and Donna bring some levity the end of the week and traverse some of the issue athletes are grappling with at the Olympics village - cardboard beds anyone?