Nine To Noon for Monday 11 November 2024

09:05 Rural families angry over school bus cuts

Rural families across the motu are furious at a government review that could see hundreds of school bus routes axed or changed. The Ministry of Education has already reviewed 290 this year, with 39 confirmed to be axed or amended. The ministry says any routes with fewer than eight students signed up are in focus. Federated Farmers is in talks with the ministry, trying to save more rural routes from being terminated or changed and suggesting solutions. National board member Toby Williams farms at Whangara, between Tolaga Bay and Gisborne. 

09:15 Home loan hardship numbers at record levels 

The number of mortgage holders in hardship is at record levels according to data collected by credit reporting company Centrix. It comes as the ANZ Bank's full year results to September reports 6,800 customers in hardship - up from 4,400 the year before. That's a 55 percent increase. The situation is not unique to the country's largest bank - figures collected by Centrix should a year on year increase of 29 percent across all bank and non-bank home loan lenders. Customers in hardship include those needing to restructure, defer payments or move to interest-only payments. Centrix managing director Keith McLaughlin joins Kathryn Ryan.

09:20 Young onset dementia husband says sector missing out

The husband of a woman diagnosed with dementia at 58 years old, says people with young-onset are missing out on appropriate services. Between 5,000 and 7,000 New Zealanders are estimated to have dementia diagnosed before the age of 65, but there is no dedicated residential care facility. Paul Singh's wife was already in the severe dementia phase when she was diagnosed at 58, after being symptomatic for years. He is involved in advocating for others in a similar situation. Dr Singh says patients and their families experience social isolation, economic impacts and mental health struggles, but the system is hard to navigate and doesn't take into account the unique circumstances for those with young onset. A five year government dementia strategy was endorsed by Cabinet in 2022, but he says it remains unimplemented and underfunded. Health NZ is currently reviewing funding for the Aged Care sector.

09:40  Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon continues legacy

The inaugural Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon this weekend is empowering Afghani women, who came to New Zealand after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The run continues the legacy of a history-making marathon, dubbed 'The Secret Marathon' in Afghanistan in 2015. It was labelled "The Secret Marathon" because the details had to remain hidden until the last moment to prevent the women being targeted. The Aotearoa Afghanistan Marathon follows that legacy by allowing Afghan women a chance to run free from fear. Amir Foladi and Amina Hasanpur are board members of the New Beginnings Foundation which has organised the race. They moved to New Zealand with their families following the Taliban's return to power in 2021.

09:45 South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler

Daniel Schweimler, based in Argentina,  discusses how the Trump victory is being viewed in Latin America

10:05  Award winning Kiwi photojournalist Simon Townsley

New Zealand born photojournalist Simon Townsley has spent the last 30 years covering conflicts around the world. He's a three time recipient of the British Press Photographer of the Year Award.  As well as conflicts in the Balkans, West Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Simon Townsley has covered huge international news events including Tiananmen Square, the Gulf war, fall of the Berlin Wall, siege of Sarajevo and the election of Nelson Mandela. Simon grew up in Wellington where a friend loaned him a camera which was his "lightbulb moment". He tells Kathryn Ryan despite all the horror he's witnessed around the world, he still fundamentally believes in the goodness in people.

10:32 Award winning journalist declined accreditation for Abuse Apology

A journalist who has covered abuse in state care for eight years, has been declined accreditation to attend the historic apology to be delivered by the Prime Minister in parliament tomorrow. Aaron Smale who writes for Newsroom, and has received two Voyager investigative journalism awards,  will not be able to sit in the Press Gallery for the delivery of the apology. Kathryn speaks with editor of Newsroom, Tim Murphy.

10:35 Book review: Table Talk by CK Stead 

David Hill reviews Table Talk by CK Stead published by Quentin Wilson Publishing

10:45 Around the motu: Kelly Makiha in Rotorua

Kelly Makiha discusses the recent death of Sir Robert 'Bom' Gillies, the last surviving member of 28 Maori Battalion.

The Maori Development Minister has officially opened eighty new homes in a $45 million partnership with the Government.

The six-week murder trial over death of Korrey Whyman is under way. 

And the decision on whether seven emergency housing motels will operate in Rotorua past December is weeks away.

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

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.

11:30 Vegan Italian? Trailblazing chef and restaurateur Shannon Martinez details how

Think Italian food and maybe a big plate of meaty spaghetti bolognaise comes to mind. Melbourne-based chef, restaurateur and author Shannon Martinez is helping to smash that stereotype. She's the owner of two popular vegan restaurants in the city: Smith&Daughters, and Smith&Deli - they're the places big vegan celebrities like Billie Eilish and Cyndi Lauper go to eat when they're in town. Shannon's written a number of best-selling cookbooks, been guest chef on Masterchef Australia and My Kitchen Rules ....and juggled all of this while undergoing some pretty tough health issues. Her latest book is Vegan Italian Food and she joins Kathryn to talk about keeping things simple and why being a meat-eater can make it easier to create vegan fare.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy joins Kathryn from Waitangi this Remembrance Day to talk about the Te Rau Aroha museum that stands next to the Treaty House and is a stone's throw from the whare runanga. He speaks about how it's a powerful statement for Māori aspirations for equality within the nation state of Aotearoa, something he's written about for New Zealand Geographic.