Nine To Noon for Tuesday 24 September 2024

09:05 Power, water, roads: what's the long term plan for infrastructure?

Infrastructure around the country is in need of investment - from the electricity grid, to roads, public transport, hospitals and schools. The Infrastructure Commission has been charged with coming up with a National Infrastructure Plan for the next 30 years. Its new Chief Executive, Geoff Cooper, talks with Kathryn about the challenges of improving lagging infrastructure in the face of so much need.

09:20 ATM competition leaving vulnerable consumers out of pocket

Some of the poorest communities are facing sky high ATM charges, as non bank providers take over some sites previously hosting bank machines. A recent survey by the Reserve Bank confirmed people on a budget were more likely to use cash as a way to help them manage their money, and that Māori and older people were also more likely to choose cash over card. In the Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae community members - many of whom prefer to use cash - vented frustration after their bank ATMs were replaced with non-bank ATMs, resulting in high transaction fees where they used to be free. Kathryn Ryan speaks to local Naenae ward councillor Andy Mitchell and Next Payments executive chair Tim Wildash.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

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

10:05 Creative extraordinaire Brian Burke on making magic at this year's WOW

The World of Wearable Art returns to Wellington this week with a new show called "Dream Awake". WOW is, of course, the world's leading wearable art design competition. It started with humble beginnings in Nelson to become the extravaganza it is today that generates over $30 million dollars each year for the capital. Some 60,000 people see the show - which features pieces created by artists from around the globe. The three recurring entry categories of Aotearoa, Avant-garde and Open will this year be joined by three newbies: Crazy Curiosities of Creature Carnival, Natural World and Geometric Abstraction. The person spinning this magic web together is Brian Burke, WOW's Executive Creative Director. The shows he's been involved with over the past two decades have had billions of views - he was the creative producer of America's Got Talent and is executive and creative producer of American Idol.  He's been behind some of biggest residencies in Las Vegas where he's usually based, including for Celine Dion. Last year 2.7 billion people watched the opening and closing ceremonies he created for the inaugural Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix - and he also produced Lionel Richie's performance at the King's Coronation. So what does it take to fashion these spectacles? And what can audiences expect from this year's WOW? Brian joins Kathryn in studio to share some detail.

10:35 Book review: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Kiran Dass reviews Intermezzo by Sally Rooney published by Faber

 

10:45 Around the motu : Tess  Brunton in Dunedin

The Dunedin City Council has released an updated version of the Highlanders song, but this time they are calling on the Government to not make the area the House of Pain, and to get on and build their hospital. The Dunedin City Council will decide whether to sell or keep its council-owned lines company Aurora Energy at a meeting tomorrow, after months of discussions and consultation. Some Central Otago locals are worried a proposed gold mine will hit industry and devastate the special, and spectacular, natural environment. And Environment Southland has decided to use its emergency powers to mechanically open the Waituna Lagoon to the sea.

 

11:05 Business commentator Victoria Young

Victoria takes a look a broad look at the IRD and concludes it must be the only public service department not making cuts as it tries to collect more tax. Also the business of icecream. How Much Moore is faring after 30 years in the business. Much Moore produces 30 million litres of ice cream annually for the local and export market.

BusinessDesk editor, Victoria Young

11:25 Headmaster’s home, maternity hospital, and addiction centre: one house in Napier

42 Morris Street in Napier has a long and varied history. It began as a family home in 1914 for the first headmaster of Nelson Park School. In 1942 it became Bethany Maternity Hospital run by the Salvation Army till 1979. It was primarily for unmarried mothers whose babies were to be adopted,  but there was also a wing for married women to have their babies. Heritage consultant and Hawkes Bay author, Dr Elizabeth Pishief  has captured what went on inside the two storey house in her new book :  Birth & Rebirth: The Story of the Hudson Family Home, Bethany Maternity Hospital and Springhill Addiction Centre.

 

11:45 Sports-chat with Sam Ackerman

Lydia Ko’s dream form, the All Blacks final quarter stumbles, the Black Caps dashed hopes in Sri Lanka and the growth of women’s basketball in Aotearoa are all on the agenda for today’s sports chat with Sam Ackerman