Nine To Noon for Monday 25 November 2024

09:05 Competition concerns over codeshare deal between Virgin Airlines and Air New Zealand

Higher airline prices, crowded terminals and fewer upgrades could all be a result of a new codeshare deal signed off by Australian and New Zealand authorities. The Ministry of Transport has lifted the lid on how it came to recommend that Air New Zealand and Virgin Airlines be allowed to share flights - in a practice known as codesharing  - but airports say the rationale doesn't stack up. Documents released under the Official Information Act show the Ministry initially wanted to recommend the application be declined, citing the fact New-Zealand-based flyers may face more crowded trans-Tasman flights and reduced ability to secure seats or upgrade. The main consideration however was that the agreement could dis-incentivize Virgin from re-entering the market with its own carriers. Benefits included possible extra tourists for New Zealand and potentially making Air New Zealand a stronger competitor to Qantas. Officials stressed to the Minister - who makes the final call - that the decision was "finely balanced" and the overall benefits largely would fall to Virgin Australia. Kathryn speaks with Air New Zealand's chief alliances and transformation officer Mike Williams and New Zealand Airports Association chief executive Billie Moore.

09:20 The desperate need for a child palliative care service 

A national child palliative care service is desperately needed and will save millions, according to a new report. Dr Amanda Evans is the founder of Rei Kōtuku, a pilot programme providing paediatric palliative care for children and adolescents in the North Island from Wellington to Hawke's Bay. Amanda has been providing palliative care since the middle of last year and the service runs out of funding in 2026. The family of Otis Hill - who died in February after a two-year fight with cancer - were supported by Amanda and the Rei Kōtuku service. His mother, Rachel Hill, says the support they received was 'incredible' - and she is backing a call to expand the country's permanent child palliative care service to be nationwide. At the moment it is only available at Starship Hospital in Auckland. The Rei Kōtuku report 'Unheard Cries' found 3000 children needed palliative care each year, but 75 per cent do not get it. It argues a nationwide palliative care service would save the country $22 million by reducing hospital visits. Kathryn talks to Amanda and Rachel about the case for a nationwide palliative service for children. 

09:30 The school Sir Ed built gets a makeover and wins an architecture award

 It was called the 'School House in the Clouds'. Following his feat of climbing Everest with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary returned to the Himalayas to repay the locals for their help  - and one his first tasks, was building a school. It was completed in Khumjung in 1961 and educated many children over the decades. But when time took its toll on one of the original smaller buildings, the decision was made to turn it into a visitor centre. The project, by Auckland-based architects Pearson & Associates, won the international award at Friday night's New Zealand Architecture Awards. To explain what the extensive restoration involved,  and how difficult a task that was at an altitude of 3800m, Kathryn is joined by Rick Pearson, director of Pearson & Associates.

09:45 Foreign correspondent Thomas Sparrow 

Germany prepares for an early election, Russia denies cutting Baltic Sea cables as tensions rise, and Angela Merkel's long awaited memoir to be published next week. Thomas Sparrow discusses with Kathryn Ryan. 

10:05  Why, like, language evolves

Language has always changed over time, but the internet has created layers of slang that can feel impossible to keep up with. Swear words that would have been taboo a couple of decades ago that are now part of our every day lingo. Words are often shortened and adopted as the preferred version, and they can take on new meanings. Dr Howard Manns is a Linguistics lecturer at Monash University. He tells Kathryn some people can find certain words grating, like the use of the word 'like'... but these can actually serve an important communication purpose.

10:30 Auckland University's new 26,000 square metre recreation and wellbeing 

The University of Auckland is today opening a new $320 million dollar recreation and wellbeing centre. Named Hiwa - the eight-storey recreation centre opens at midday today. It includes a multi-sport turf with panoramic views of the city and the southern hemisphere's first glass sports floor with integrated LED markings that can change for six different sports. There's also a running track, an eight-lane 33-metre lap pool, a dive tank and a climbing wall. The University set the budget for the project at $320 million - funded through current and former student levies - but it says it will not know the final cost until next year. Sean Smith is associate director of campus life at the university. 

10:35 Book review: The Enemy Within by Maire Leadbeater 

Dean Bedford reviews The Enemy Within by Maire Leadbeater published by Potton and Burton

10:45 Around the motu: David Williams in Christchurch

An often-toxic artificial lake receives a collective shrug, charity hospitals and private healthcare fill the gaps, and council and KiwiRail clash over rail crossings. David Williams is Newsroom's Te Waipounamu South Island Correspondent.

11:05 Political commentators Dale Husband and Liam Hehir

Dale Husband is a long-time broadcaster and Radio Waatea presenter hosting a Māori focused current affairs programme.

Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member.

11:30 Chef Mark Gregory shares festive inspiration in his new Christmas at the Castle Cookbook

Don't panic - but it's just a month today until Christmas. If that has stress levels rising a little, Kiwi chef Mark Gregory has a new book out that's full of festive inspiration. Mark has spent decades in kitchens around the world - he's cooked for celebrities, royalty - he was the first Kiwi to be awarded a Master of Culinary Arts by the Royal Academy - he's appeared on TV shows Ready Steady Cook and the BBC's Good Food Show. He's also a massive fan of Christmas....which is why he's created his Christmas at the Castle Cookbook and YouTube series. While the traditional festive fare is included in the book, there's some Kiwi twists on the Christmas faves - and an emphasis on making things simple. It's not just recipes - Mark's also included ideas for gifts and for family fun on the big day itself.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

With Christmas just around the corner, Kennedy reflects on the Sami people, from whom we get the idea of Santa and his reindeer. The Norwegian government has just issued a formal apology to the Sami and other indigenous Lapland people for a century of cultural suppression and social injustice, including removing children from their parents, in a system of "Norwegianization" whose devastation continues to be felt.