Nine To Noon for Thursday 8 August 2024

 

09.05 Minister launches broadside at big power companies

The Associate Energy Minister has launched a huge broadside at the big power companies this morning accusing them of profiteering, amid soaring wholesale power prices. The biggest electricity-using businesses say rising prices are putting their viability at risk and two timber mills warn they are considering closing. Shane Jones says the Government could intervene in the electricity market to force major energy generators to cut prices to major users. Wholesale power prices have doubled in the past three weeks, in part because hydro lakes storage is about 57 percent of what it would normally be at this time of year. Paddy Gower talks with Margaret Cooney, Chief Operating Officer of Octopus Energy, and a regular critic of the energy system.

09:25 Will the Reserve Bank cut interest rates next week?

All eyes are on the Reserve Bank which will decide next week whether to cut interest rates for the first time in four years. Latest unemployment figures released yesterday show 33,000 more people are out of work - now a total of 143,000 New Zealanders are jobless. That rise to 4.6% in the June quarter was right on the Reserve Bank's expectation. It was the last piece of economic data to come out before the central bank considers what to do next Wednesday. Independent economist Cameron Bagrie joins Paddy Gower.

09:35 Kent Belcher on spending years documenting Alien Weaponry

Documentary maker Kent Belcher spent six years following Henry and Lewis De Jong, the brothers behind Alien Weaponry - since they were teenagers.  The thrash metal band was formed out of Smokefree Rockquest and as their success grew, Kent was with them as they toured Europe metal festivals - along with most recent band member, Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds.  The band's point of difference - particularly within the metal scene - is their use of Te Reo Maori. Kent's documentary Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, is  screening as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival.

09:45 UK correspondent Hugo Gye

It remains a volatile situation in the UK  at dozens of locations after a week of unrest with criminal thugs whipped up by the far right, Agitators are said to have shared a list of more than 100 sites such as refugee hotels which they want to target, and police have stepped up their presence at vulnerable sites. Hugo examines how Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his new government are responding to the wanton violence and disorder.

Hugo Gye is Political Editor of The i Paper

10:05 From the factory floor to the school of fine arts 

Glenn Busch went from a factory worker to one of our country's finest photographers. Best known for his social documentary work and haunting black and white portraits of ordinary New Zealanders, Busch came to fame with the 1984 publication of Working Men. But the photographer, who left school at 14 - bluffing his way into labouring jobs across Australia and New Zealand - may never have picked up a camera.  A chance viewing, however, of Hungarian photographer Brassaï's work, and a few sliding doors moments later, changed the trajectory of his life. In addition to capturing the essence of Daily life, Busch has also contributed to New Zealand photography, founding photographic gallery, Snaps, the ongoing 'Place In Time' documentary project and his many years of teaching at the School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury.

10:30 Big questions for gentailers after scathing comments from the Minister

Big questions are being asked today about the viability of our energy system with high prices causing some big businesses to turn off production. And the Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones is threatening the Government could intervene. He has issued a broadside at the big four generator-retailers - saying they are focussed on profiteering over the wider benefits of secure energy. Simon Mackenzie is chief executive of the country's biggest electricity distributor - Auckland lines company Vector. Paddy speaks to Roger Sutton, a former chief executive of two different South Island lines companies, now with industry consultancy Deta (DEETA). 

10:35 Book review: Strays and Waifs by Mandy Hager 

Elisabeth Easther reviews Strays and Waifs by Mandy Hager published by The Cuba Press

10:45 Around the motu : Alisha Evans in Tauranga

Democracy is back in Tauranga with former Olympian, Mayor Mahe Drysdale and his nine councillors sworn in to council. Engineers involved in a failed transport hub that cost the council more than $20m are facing a disciplinary hearing. And the possibility of a ferry service for Tauranga has stalled with the regional council delaying their decision about funding. 
 

Western Bay of Plenty Local Democracy reporter Alisha Evans based in Tauranga with SunLive 

11:05 Tech with Bill Bennett

Technology journalist Bill Bennett talks to Paddy about the New Zealand tax rule that stops talent staying. He says the  Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) tax rules are a barrier stopping talented professionals from staying or returning to New Zealand. Also, has the AI bubble burst. And a US judge has ruled Google acted illegally to crush its competition and maintain a monopoly on online search and advertising.

Bill Bennett is an Auckland based technology journalist

11:25 I'm a helpful dad, so why do the kids only want mum?

Parenting commentator Nathan Wallis joins Paddy Gower to talk about what to do when child only wants the other parent. It is painful, but he says it is normal, and shares strategies on how to rebalance the dynamic.

11:45 Screentime: Elvira, Prosper, Simone Biles Rising

Film and TV correspondent Tamar Munch joins Paddy to discuss Danish black comedy Elvira, about an unlikely sleuth. She'll also look at Prosper (TVNZ+), a family drama set against the backdrop of a Megachurch, and Netflix's timely documentary Simone Biles Rising.