Nine To Noon for Wednesday 4 September 2024

 

09:05 'Wairoa elders are suffering': flood hit town has no aged care beds

A social worker in Wairoa says more than 50 whanau are caring for elders at home who should be in aged care - but there is no aged care facility in the town. Wairoa's only aged care facility Heritage Lifecare Glengarry closed after Cyclone Gabrielle, and more than 30 residents were moved to Hawkes Bay or Gisborne. Aroha Moeau is a social worker with the biggest GP Practice in Wairoa - she says families are caring for loved ones at home because of lack of any care beds - and often they are in already overcrowded homes without the right equipment or experience. Meanwhile a local iwi is trying to build a community-centered care facility for elderly residents and whanau in Wairoa, but needs $6.5 million more to make it happen. Kathryn speaks with Aroha Moeau and Lewis Ratapu, Chief Executive of Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa.

 

09:30 Why China's EV dominance is fueling a war over subsidies in the West

Yesterday carmaker Volkswagen announced it may have to shut two of its factories in Germany - the first-ever closures in its home country. It cited a tough economic environment...and new competitors. VW didn't specify those, but last week leading Chinese carmaker BYD announced it would take over its distributor in Germany - allowing it to sell cars directly in Europe's biggest auto market. In fact BYD sold a record number of cars in August. That market dominance by Chinese new energy vehicles has accelerated tensions between the east and west, which has seen the US and Canada slap 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs and an anti-subsidy investigation in the EU. Kathryn is joined by Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies to make sense of this trade dispute.

09:45 Australia: Census sexuality stoush, Labor Ministers look to woo WA

Australia correspondent Bernard Keane looks at the controversy within Labor ranks over a government decision NOT to include a gender identity and sexuality in the 2026 census. Federal ministers are in Western Australia this week, Bernard looks at what they're hoping to achieve through the visit and the policies popular in WA that run contrary to Labor's agenda. And some hefty fines have been introduced for people who accidentally feed Queensland's crocs.

Bernard Keane is political editor for Crikey.com

10:05 How animals saved a lonely teenager and shaped his future 

At age 14, Tim Husband was ex communicated from the Jehovah's Witnesses faith and animals became the focus of his world. Shunned by his parents and church elders in Whangarei, he was taken in by the owner of a local zoo and given free board in exchange for helping out with animals. His memoir, When Life Gives You Lemurs gives a raw account of his traumatic childhood and an early association with wildlife, encountered when his family went door knocking down country lanes. Animals provided a new sense of family but also a vocation, working as a zookeeper and wildlife consultant travelling the world, helping failing zoos and safari parks lift their game. He's a former senior keeper at Taronga Zoo in Sydney,  and other roles include working on a billion dollar Dubai Safari project and a Safari Park in Bali.

 

10:35 Book review: Dog by Rob Perry

Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews Dog by Rob Perry published by Europa

10:45 Around the motu : David Williams in Christchurch

David has been following the battle over access to private land, through a high country station bordering Arthur's Pass National Park, which is now reaching a climax. And Lyttleton Port Company was sentenced in July over the death of Stevedore Don Grant, David talks to Kathryn about a a new document, released by the court reveals.

David Williams is Newsroom's Te Waipounamu South Island Correspondent
 

11:05 Music with Charlotte Ryan: Old artists, new hits

Music 101 host Charlotte Ryan introduces us to new music from Stevie Wonder and the new Tami Neilson album - out this Friday - a covers album of Willie Nelson's songs.

11:20 Mitigating stress for better health

Clinical Psychologist Karen Nimmo  talks to Kathryn about the warning signs that indicate stressed people would benefit from slowing down. She says stress is carried in your body and can manifest with physical symptoms.

11:45 Personal finance: Interest rate drop - what does it mean for you?

Money expert Lisa Dudson looks at the welcome news that interest rates are finally on the decline and what it means in a practical sense for everyone - but particularly mortgage holders. What should you do if you're up for renewal? What if you want to break your fixed loan?

Lisa Dudson is the owner of Acumen.co.nz. Her advice is of a general nature.