Nine To Noon for Friday 16 August 2024

09:05 Mounting backlash to disability sector changes

Jonathan Mosen, who is blind has been a disability advocate for decades. He is joining a growing chorus of concern about the lack of consultation with the disabled community to sweeping change. The dedicated Ministry for Disabled People - Whaikaha is facing a major slim down. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston wants its role of delivering support services, shifted to the Ministry of Social Development - along with most the budget. Funding for residential care is also being frozen. Jonathan Mosen says too often things are done to the disabled community, not for it.

09:20  Two years since Nelson's storms, how is the recovery going?

It's been two years to the day since the skies opened on Nelson and it did not stop raining for five days. The heavy rain - referred to as an atmospheric river - caused flooding and what is now known as New Zealand's largest urban landslip. There were more than 400 landslips in all and about 1200 people had to be evacuated from their homes. The Nelson City Council has bought out 10 Brook St properties and seven others are eligible for buyout. Homeowners continue to deal with issues around land stability and insurance - such as Scott May who woke up one day in August to find 160 tonnes of soil had piled up against his house. Work to resolve the issues continues and he's now concerned the payout he's received from EQC won't be enough to cover the extensive geotechnical work needed. Scott tells his story to Paddy, but first Nelson mayor Nick Smith gives his reflections on the city's long road to recovery from that 2022 storm.

Natural Hazards Commission (formerly EQC) chief executive Tina Mitchell recognised the devastation the August 2022 event caused for Nelson residents. She said the organisation's decisions around compensation were defined by recently reformed legislation. What the commission did have discretion with was investing into scientific research to better inform decisions for households around unstable land like the Tahunanui slump.

09:35 Tami Neilson bound for Grand Ole Opry

Kiwi country music queen Tami Neilson has some big news. She's bound for the home of country music - Nashville - to play the iconic Grand Ole Opry. In country music terms, this a BIG DEAL. You have to be invited - you cannot apply.  The Grand Ole Opry is the radio show that made country music famous and has been running for 98 years. It's launched the careers of many, including  Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson. Speaking of Dolly Parton - Tami Nielson is also going to be playing at Dollywood while she's in the US. She tells Paddy Gower all about it, and about her upcoming album and tour.

09:45 Asia correspondent Elizabeth Beattie

Japan is set to get a new Prime Minister, and in Tokyo names are already being floated about who might take over from  Fumio Kishida. Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, Owen Chow has been jailed for three days after he allegedly passed a complaint to his lawyer, without authorisation. And North Korea is gearing up to open its borders to tourists later this year, in what may be the end of the hermit country's imposed Covid-related border controls.

Elizabeth Beattie is a journalist based in Tokyo

10:05 Jai Waite: former Wheel Black and director

23 years ago Jai Waite became disabled in a freak accident while diving into a wave on a beach in Greece on his OE. Following his accident, Jai threw himself into wheelchair rugby and went on to represent Aotearoa in the sport at both the Athens and Beijing Paralympics. Jai also trained in digital media and that led him to work on a range of documentaries showcasing people living with disabilities. He's recently co-founded his own production company, Sweet Productions, which has a three-part documentary series coming to our screens next week. Wheel Blacks: Bodies on the Line looks at the team's fight for funding - and their chances ahead of this year's Paralympics which kick off in Paris later this month.

10:35 Book review: Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald 

Roger Christensen of Unity Books Auckland reviews Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald published by Faber

10:45 Around the motu: Ellen Curnow in Westport

The hospital wing of the Westport health facility has had to close 11 times due to under-staffing, and locals are petitioning to get staffing up. A long-awaited barge crossed the Westport bar on Monday, which many will hope will reinvigorate coastal shipping. And Buller District Council released has an audit after allegations of financial mismanagement, but it found no concerns.

11:05 New music with Jeremy Taylor

Going full indie guitar bands, with top drawer reissues from The Triffids, Cocteau Twins and David Kilgour, plus a new release from bass ace to the stars, Mike Hall.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

With Paris 2024 in the rear view mirror, there's no flying under the radar for the All Blacks this week. Sports commentator Sam Ackerman looks at the changes and the chances of Argentina doing the unthinkable at Eden Park plus a host of other sporting issues like the lure of T20 money impacting the Black Caps and the return of Israel Adesanya.

11:45 The week that was Te Radar & Pinky Agnew

Comedians Te Radar and Pinky have a few laughs with Paddy.