Nine To Noon for Monday 16 September 2024

09:05 What's going on at Auckland's unfinished Seascape Tower? 

Tools are down on Auckland's 56-storey, $300m Seascape tower - the result of a dispute between its developer, Shundi Customs and its builder - one of the world's biggest: China Construction. China Construction halted work last month and told contractors to leave the site, as it seeks $33 million the Building Disputes Tribunal agreed it was owed by Shundi. The NZ Herald reported last week Shundi is seeking a judicial review of the Tribunal's adjudication against it. In the meantime, the gigantic build remains dark - its insides exposed to Auckland's temperamental spring weather. Jeff Fahrensohn is Auckland Council's Building Inspection Manager and tasked with heading the team making sure the building remains safe. Also with Kathryn is John Tookey, professor at AUT's School of Future Environments.

09:25 Multi-lingual flood resilience campaign in Auckland libraries

The Auckland Council has rolled out a campaign via its libraries to educate the public on flood resilience. It is providing resource material in several languages to help residents prepare for, and reduce the effects of future flooding events. This follows the devastation of the 2023 Auckland Anniversary weekend's catastrophic floods, which claimed four lives and caused widespread destruction and property damage. Craig McIlroy is Auckland Council's Healthy Waters general manager. He says the campaign is aimed at reaching as many people and communities as possible.

09:35 Container power hubs coming to small towns 

A North Island lines company is installing solar and diesel-powered hubs in remote communities to be a backup for a power cut. The hubs are called stand alone power supply units and will go into a community venue to be used during an emergency to supply heating, cooking, hot water, lighting and the ability to charge batteries. The first hub is expected to be installed in Ākitio in the Tararua District by the end of the year and there are units planned for up the Whanganui river and in Coromandel. It follows Gisborne lines company Firstlight's move to install a solar-powered unit for a remote customer at the end of 16km of lines that frequently need to be repaired. Powerco is the lines company that distributes electricity to large parts of the North Island from New Plymouth across to Tauranga. Its general manager of electricity, Karen Frew, speaks to Kathryn about the units.

09:45 Africa correspondent Debora Patta

Debora is currently in the US and talks about what the Harris-Trump presidential race means for Africa and the Middle East and foreign policy in general. Also and a new Russian African media initiative - trying to influence the continent, and the rise of MPox in DRC.

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in South Africa.

10:05 The Kiwi dressing buildings in Kaynemaile

Kayne Horsham's architectural mesh product had its genesis as a costume material for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Two decades on, the unique, lightweight chainmail material has multiple uses across building and construction and has been sweeping up awards. Kayne came up with the Kaynemaile concept during his time as the artistic director of creatures, armour and weapons at Wētā Workshop. From its origins in costuming, the product's properties have seen it used architecturally indoors and outdoors; as well as its visual aesthetic, the material serves as a heat regulating building facade. The company's RE/8 mesh product launched last year is earning accolades for sustainability features. In the US,  Kaynemail has completed projects in five states, including at Santa Clara in Silicon Valley - where 1,000 square metres of Kaynemaile 3D kinetic screens cover an 800-space parking garage. A major building wrap for a high-tech manufacturer has been unveiled in Belgium, and there are designs underway for retail and hotel installations in the Philippines, Singapore, and Dubai. Also this year, Waimahara, a transformative urban artwork in Myers Park, Auckland, was unveiled - a mana whenua led, interactive sound and light sculptural installation. Kayne Horsham's company, Kaynemaile, is based in Petone, Lower Hutt.  

10:35 Book review: Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd

Elisabeth Easther reviews Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd published by Penguin Random House

10:45 Around the motu: Kelly Makiha in Rotorua 

Rob and Linley Parry have owned three McDonald's restaurants in Rotorua for 21 years. They are  leaving to further their opportunities in Hamilton, buying 3 outlets there. Kelly says during their time in Rotorua they've been credited with raising nearly $2million for charity through an annual event. Also, Kelly has been covering the case of the Rotorua PTA Treasurer sentenced to home detention for stealing from St Mary's Catholic School. And recruiting a new generation of journalists? Kelly has been sharing her love of working in the media with school groups.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist with the Rotorua Daily Post

11:05 Political commentators Brigitte Morten & Gareth Hughes

Brigette and Gareth discuss the political blame game over mill closures, the questions surrounding the Treaty Principles Bill, Budget revelations, cost cutting selectivity and health targets.

Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis.

Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa. 

11:25 The Matakana gelato and sorbetto scooping awards

Charlie's Gelato in Matakana has been scooping awards all year by making gelato and sorbetto the way the Italians do it. Situated on a 10 acre block outside of Matakana with a retail store in the front, proprietors Andrew Cole and Tania Nevill grow fruit on the land they then use to make the ice cream. They made the move north in 2017 after a couple decades selling retail in Auckland. The gelatos and sorbettos are small batch, made 5 litres at a time. Everyday they have as many as 40 different batches on display in the shop. And this year their passionfruit sorbetto took a prize at the NZ Ice Cream and Gelato awards. They were also named Dairy Champion at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards earlier in the year.  

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy joins Kathryn to talk about walking the Golden Stairs track at the entrance of the Whangape Harbour on Northland's west coast. The track's name comes from the spectacular kowhai that make gold splashes among the green foliage of the forest at this time of year.