Nine To Noon for Friday 6 December 2024

09:05 Green Investment Fund 'extremely frustrated' by Blackrock decision 

The crown-owned Green Investment Fund says it's "extremely frustrated" by the sudden withdrawal of support for SolarZero by its owner, Blackrock, which came as a surprise. SolarZero was placed into liquidation last week when its major investor Blackrock owned GRP111 pulled the pin, blaming "unsustainable operating losses and liquidity constraints". The liquidation has left 15 and a half thousand customers here in limbo, as well as hundreds of employees out of pocket, and contractors with no certainty. The Green Investment Fund loaned $115 million to install solar panels and batteries at customers' homes - that equipment is owned by a trust structure, and therefore not technically caught up in the liquidation. Green Investment Fund board chair Cecelia Tarrant met the Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday to answer questions about what has happened. She says they were blindsided by the Blackrock decision, which has severely impacted staff, suppliers, contractors and partners.

09:15 New study details harrowing experiences of homeless women

A new report has found some homeless women find it safer to sleep on the streets than at a shelter. The study outlines harrowing experiences of violence and abuse in emergency and transitional housing, as well as more broad inequities women face in the housing system. A group of sector leaders were prompted to commission the research after seeing firsthand that support is largely designed with men in mind. Vic Crockford is the former chief executive of Community Housing Aotearoa, and leads the Coalition to end Women's Homelessness. She speaks to Susie alongside Hayley Rawhiti, the co-leader of Te Whare Hīnatore, a women's shelter run out of Auckland City Mission.

09:35 Backlog of farming and horticulture product applications frustrate industry

Manufacturers of farming and horticulture products are pleading for a red tape re-think, as the backlog of products trying to get to market slows. More than 100 applications are sitting on the Environmental Protection Authority's waitlist for approval,  many of which already have the green light for use in other countries. It is estimated clearing the backlog will take about four years under the current regulatory settings. Some companies have given up on even attempting to break into the New Zealand market because of the delay. Currently the Ministry for Regulation is reviewing the sector - it was one of four areas David Seymour, who is the Minister responsible - identified for a review when the new Ministry was created. Animal and Plant Health NZ is the members group representing companies that manufacture, distribute and sell products used on animals, crops and land. They are desperate for changes that will allow products to flow more easily to market. The group's chief executive Dr Liz Shackleton speaks with Susie.

09:45 South Korean President's foiled martial law attempt

In South Korea, police are now investigating President Yoon Suk Yeol for alleged "insurrection" after his failed declaration of martial law earlier this week. President Yoon Suk Yeol made a sudden declaration of martial law in a late night TV address - claiming he would rid the country of "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces". The opposition swiftly voted down the move. Now in the fallout, the defence minister has resigned and Yoon, who hasn't publicly spoken, is under pressure to resign and an impeachment of him is expected to be voted on this weekend. Ed Whites is our Asia correspondent with the Financial Times, he is in Seoul.

10:05  Why an Italian feminist black comedy was more popular than Barbie

Rewind a year and two films were sweeping box offices around the globe with their own moniker: Barbenheimer. But Barbie and Oppenheimer's success were eclipsed in Italy by an entirely different film. C'è ancora domani  or 'There's Still Tomorrow' in English is a black and white film, set in post-war Italy. It's about a mother, Delia, trying to break the cycle of violence in which she's trapped. It also looks at ingrained misogyny and women's rights - the film is set just a year after women in Italy earned the right to vote. Despite those meaty themes, it's also a comedy - and that helped endear it to Italian audiences. It was the most successful film in Italy last year - and the 10th highest-grossing film in Italy ever. It stars Paola Cortellesi, who also co-wrote and directed the film. She explained to Susie why she believes the story struck a nerve.

10:30 Short Story winner:  Fade In

A cautionary tale about jumping to conclusions. The narrator thinks that his partner has been having an affair,  and it seems like the couple will soon go their separate ways. When he confronts his partner about what's going on,  the explanation he's given turns his expectations upside down. Fade In was written by Nick McGregor told by Simon Leary.

10:35 Book review: Blue Hour by Jo McNeice 

Melissa Oliver from Unity Books Wellington reviews Blue Hour by Jo McNeice published by Otago University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Alisha Evans in Tauranga

The community has rallied around Tauranga’s first Māori ward councillor and will climb local landmark Mauao to fundraise for him as he recovers from a rare illness. A last-minute injunction has stopped the controversial sale of Tauranga’s marine precinct. A Western Bay of Plenty council shakeup could see some community boards face the axe. 

Tauranga based Local Democracy Reporter Alisha Evans has all the details. 

11:05 Latest on Bridge Hill fire in Canterbury 

The fire at Bridge Hill in Canterbury has almost doubled in size since yesterday and remains out of control and uncontained. Mapping this morning shows the fire has grown by 445 hectares since yesterday. It is now 980 hectares. Nine helicopters, three fixed-wing aircraft, and 15 trucks, tankers and support vehicles are fighting the blaze alongside 85 firefighters. Susie gets the latest on this from reporter Rachel Graham who is at Castle Hill.

11:10 New music with Jeremy Taylor

A selection of all new releases from Father John Misty, Nia Archives and Michael Kiwanuka, plus a fine reissue of Brisbane punks The Saints' seminal 1977 debut.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

A must win test match for the Black Caps is underway today. Sam Ackerman takes a look at what's on the line.

11:45 The week that was with Te Radar and Irene Pink

Our comedians have a few laughs to end the week, including the woman who washed her Christmas tree and was shocked at the amount of dirt she found on it.