Nine To Noon for Tuesday 10 December 2024

09:05 Unease at proposal to fold Auckland's law school into another faculty

Unease is developing at a proposal from Auckland University to fold its 140-year-old law school in with its business and economics faculty. The university proposal is also to create two law departments - one focussed on private law and one on public law - in the process of being bundled in with the business school. It is a draft proposal and feedback is being received until January 20 with a decision expected in March. The university says it is move designed to build on the unique identities and strengths of both faculties. The move has raised concern among some staff with concerns the school could lose the independence it has held as a standalone faculty for more than a century. RNZ understands they are working on a collective submission against the proposal. A former leading student representative says there is frustration among students, who believe it is simply a cost-cutting measure from the university. The Criminal Bar Association is also concerned the move could detract from a students' learning of the whole picture of the legal system - towards a more commercial focus. Clayton Kimpton is chief executive of the Law Association - formerly known as the Auckland District Law Society. Clayton is also a graduate of the Auckland University law school.

09:30 Concerns birthing unit closure delivers fewer choices for Auckland mums

As the due date for the closure of the birthing units at Auckland's Birthcare facility looms, are women in the middle of our biggest city being short-changed on their birth options? Evolution Healthcare, which owns the Parnell-based centre announced the three birthing suites would shut on December 31 - leaving it focused on post-natal care. It cited consistently low bookings, and said women in metro Auckland had "a range of primary birthing options". Many midwives disagree - saying they're too far away and that hospitalisation often brings a greater chance of birth interventions. Kathryn speaks with Jasmine Russek, a midwife who's worked at Birthcare and the head of the New Zealand College of Midwives, Alison Eddy.

09:40 Vape and tobacco compliance roles remain empty

What's happening with the roles that were designed to monitor vape and tobacco compliance? Sixteen enforcement jobs were budgeted for in 2022 to keep tabs on what retailers were doing, but only nine of them have been filled. Kathryn speaks to Dr Lucy Hardie, spokesperson for the Health Coalition Aotearoa and vaping researcher at the University of Auckland. 

09:45 US correspondent Ximena Bustillo

US correspondent Ximena Bustillo discusses Trump's first TV interview since being elected, the Supreme Court's imminent decision on gender-affirming care, and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's pitch to Congress.     

10:05 Story of the great vessels and their builds retold 

A 1960 masterclass on shipbuilding has been given a new life - as Robert J. Hawkins follows in the footsteps of his father to convey the wonders of the maritime industry. A Maritime Heritage Out of Auckland, written by the late Clifford W. Hawkins, explores the history of shipbuilding and the maritime industry in Auckland. Clifford's son Robert has now republished the book after working for more than 30 years as a volunteer at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Robert says he hopes the book will resonate with New Zealanders and honour his father's legacy.

10:35 Book review: One to many and other experiments by Sharni Wilson

Cynthia Morahan reviews One to many and other experiments by Sharni Wilson published by At the Bay | I te Kokoru

10:45 Around the motu: Chris Hyde in Hawkes Bay

Chris discusses plans to address the drought after scorching temperatures in the region, the disappearance of Fiona Wills - a decade on, and 64,000 trees recloak Te Mata Peak.

Chris Hyde is an editor for Hawkes Bay Today.

11:05 Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson

Rebecca Stevenson is a senior journalist at BusinessDesk. Rebecca discusses public sector job cuts and who is wearing most of the pain. She also talks about the success of the football franchise Auckland FC and the struggles of leading telecommunications company Spark. 

11:25 Tim Bray's Theatre Company to close after 30 years entertaining kids

Tim Bray's theatre company is set to close after one more season of its famed Santa Claus Show. The Tim Bray Theatre Company has risen over its 33 years to become the second largest in Auckland. The decision to close comes after founder and artistic director, Tim Bray, was diagnosed with a rare, incurable soft tissue cancer. The company has delivered more than 100 productions and has reached hundreds of thousands of children spanning three generations. They've even performed for the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall back in 2012. Tim's company has also welcomed young people wanting to learn theatre  - they've had workshops for 10 years - typically with about 200 students each term. Another major aspect of the theatre company is its championing of inclusivity - they've had tailored classes for deaf and blind or low-vision children and teens. It was the first company to offer New Zealand sign language interpreted shows and that was back in 2004.

11:45 Sports correspondent Glen Larmer

Sports correspondent Glen Larmer talks about the Black Caps' second test defeat to England in front of a full house at the Basin Reserve. Also: Auckland FC continues to rise, beating local rivals Wellington Phoenix again in the A-League, while the All Whites' captain Chris Wood scores as his English Premier League team Nottingham Forest topple Manchester United. And the 16-year-old Australian sprinter who has broken a 56-year-old record to become the talk of the athletics' world.