Nine To Noon for Tuesday 3 September 2024

09:05 New SIS threat report details security risks

The SIS says threats to New Zealand's national security are increasingly likely to come from within - be it disgruntled government employees or those in desperate need of extra cash. The Security Intelligence Service has just released its second ever report outlining the security threats facing the country.  Key risks identified include foreign interference and espionage, risks brewing from the ongoing power play in the Indo-Pacific, as well as violent extremism and another lone-wolf terror attack. Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton joins Kathryn.

09:30 Are traditional Christian churches in crisis?

Declining and ageing congregations, crumbling buildings and fewer clergy: are traditional Christian churches in crisis. The government has recently refused to throw a lifeline to the Canterbury Cathedral rebuild, which has an $85 million shortfall. But around the country small parishes are struggling with earthquake prone churches and smaller turnouts on a Sunday. The most recent census data on religious affiliation is from the 2018 census, and shows almost half the population (48.2 percent) had no religion, compared with 41.9 percent in the 2013 Census, and 29.6 in the 2001. Another study - the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study-  reported that in 2019 about 14.4 percent of New Zealanders attended church at least monthly down from 20-25% in 2009. Religious historian Peter Lineham says some different faiths are coming together to share facilities, while others are too conservative and stubborn.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

The countdown is on to the first Harris-Trump debate next week and the needling continues. The Harris campaign has ridiculed Donald Trump after he accused her of mistreating his former VP Mike Pence. Meanwhile US economic news continues to improve, but will it last another 2 months until the election?.

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

10:05 Katherine Wiles on her journey from Hamilton to the Sydney Opera House

We all have things that go wrong on the job - but having a formerly hot water bottle stuffed down your pants burst as you bow to a king probably isn't one of them. Nor is having a horse eat what you're wearing. Or regularly hearing "is she dead yet?" bandied about by your colleagues. But these are all par for the course when you're part of an opera chorus, and beautifully documented in Katherine Wiles' memoir 'No Autographs, Please!' Raised in Hamilton, Katherine successfully pursued a career on the stage and has been a fulltime member of the Opera Australia chorus since 2007. Her book details career highlights, like performing in My Fair Lady directed by Dame Julie Andrews, to the aforementioned low-lights and challenges of working in the theatre. But would she have it any other way? 

10:35 Book review: A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson

Jessie Bray Sharpin reviews A Wreck of Seabirds by Karleah Olson published by Fremantle Press

10:45 Around the motu: Georgina Campbell in Wellington

Georgina discusses a business levy being used to 'prop up' Tākina convention centre. A bid to protect at-risk snail and lizard species from a new motorway in the lower North Island. And Wellington's long-awaited movie museum - will Sir Peter Jackson's vision finally come to life?

Georgina Campbell is NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter

11:05 Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson

A Kiwi billionaire who has banned working from home now wants to stop staff from leaving the office to get coffee. Kiwi-born Chris Ellison, chief executive of Australian mining giant Mineral Resources, said during a financial presentation he wanted to change the narrative of flexible working and stop staff from leaving the building. NZX listed advanced manufacturer, Rakon has spent almost $3 million on a takeover bid which failed, including about $1m to retain key employees.  And Rebecca talks to Kathryn about whether the Warehouse takeover is back on the cards?

Rebecca Stevenson is a senior markets journalist at BusinessDesk

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11:30 Landscape designer Xanthe White on Spring in the garden

It's a season of blossoms and change and also variable weather. Xanthe talks to Kathryn about the season and when to prune, plant and pick. 
 

11:45 Sports correspondent Joe Porter

Joe talks about the All Blacks test loss to the Springboks and looks ahead to the second test. Also how New Zealand athletes are faring at the Paralympics and at on the tennis court at the US Open.