Nine To Noon for Tuesday 17 December 2024

09:05 A bust year full of reform for the construction sector

Job losses, new consents down, companies in liquidation - it's been a rough few years for the construction sector. It has lost more than 11-thousand jobs in the year to October, with building consents down 16 per cent in that time. That after what was considered boom times just a couple of years ago, with record consent numbers coming through. It has been a year of sweeping reform for the minister overseeing the sector. Chris Penk has proposed widespread changes to the Building Act, such as making granny flats up to 60 square metres not need a resource consent, making remote consenting the default and simplifying insulation standards. He is also proposing to ease the way for overseas building products and to allow for self-certification of work by tradespeople. All of this in an attempt to make it easier and more affordable to build in New Zealand. But critics are concerned of hidden or future costs, or even the return of a devastating crisis like the leaky buildings of the early 2000s that so many people now have to live with. 

09:25 High Court finds DOC has failed to manage and report bycatch

The High Court has found the Department of Conservation has failed in its management and reporting of protected species bycatch in commercial fisheries. Two years ago, the Environmental Law Initiative sought a judicial review naming the Directors General of the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Primary Industries, the Attorney General, Minister of Conservation as well as several commercial fishers. The judgement was released yesterday,  and finds DOC hasn't used its powers to set limits on the bycatch of protected species. Justice Cheryl Gwyn also found DOC failed to receive adeqate bycatch reports, and also had a policy of non-investigation and non-prosecution of offences under the Wildlife Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act which was unlawful. Kathryn speaks with Matt Hall,  Director of Legal and Research for the non-profit Environmental Law Initiative. The Department of Conservation Deputy Director-General Biodiversity Heritage and Visitors, Stephanie Rowe says "the decision is being carefully considered, no decision has been made on next steps, and DOC remains committed to the conservation of our threatened marine wildlife".

09:30 Kawakawa's health benefits subject of new inflammation study

The native kawakawa has long been used by rongoā Māori, now it's set to be the subject of a new scientific study into its health benefits.  Dr Farha Ramzan was one of eight researchers awarded a Royal Society Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship this year. The $820,000 in funding will allow her to study the effects of kawakawa on inflammation, diabetes and the gut microbiome.  She says her research will be co-designed with practitioners of rongoā Māori. 

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

Ron Elving talks to Kathryn about this being a 'peak Trump' era as Capitol Hill prepares for the former president's return and big donors secure major roles in the new administration. 

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

10:05 From professional rugby player to yoga teacher: Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson spent eight years as  a professional rugby player in New Zealand and Japan. He's a former Blues Captain, he played for Northland and most recently Toyota Verblitz. It's hard to miss Tom - he's six foot four with shoulder length red hair, and he quickly became a fan favourite with his powerful forward play, and versatility, covering both lock and loose forward positions.  Last month, Tom Robinson announced he was quitting professional rugby saying that a series of concussions had left him living in fear - to the point that he would feign injury in order not to be selected. Tom Robinson has recently returned to Aotearoa where he's embarking on a life after rugby, deeply influenced by a newfound love of yoga and meditation which he wants to share with others.

10:30 Naenae school overwhelmed with Christmas gifts 

An error in Naenae Primary's Shoebox Christmas order this year meant 220 pupils were set to miss out on their end-of-year gift - but instead the story has turned into the ultimate display of Christmas spirit. Lower Hutt's Naenae Primary school had only a third of its shoebox Christmas presents turn up this year - due to a mistake on the spreadsheet. The Christmas Shoebox Project is a nationwide initiative to support families living in hardship. Donors provide a gift for a child anonymously, that fits in a shoebox, which the child takes home at the end of the school year. For some children it is the only gift they receive. When only a smaller amount showed up, the school's teachers assumed the rest were still to be dropped off - but with school wrapping up today at lunchtime - and no more presents, they realised the mistake. Deputy principal Kirsten Reid took to the local community facebook pages late last night - and has this morning been overwhelmed by generosity from the community. 

10:35 Book review: Dusk by Robbie Arnott 

Melanie O'Loughlin of Lamplight Books in Auckland reviews Dusk by Robbie Arnott published by Picador

10:45 Around the motu: Georgina Campbell in Wellington

Georgina speaks to Kathryn about the latest events in Te Whanganui-a-Tara including the government's announcement for the future of Cook Strait ferries, the city council is meeting today to decide final budget cuts, and more Wellington hospitality venues are closing.

Georgina Campbell is a NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter.

11:05 Business commentator Victoria Young

11:25 Heavy rain hits cyclone-ravaged Wairoa

Parts of the Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa are cleaning up after being inundated with heavy rain overnight. Local emergency management says up to 80 milimetres fell in the  district last night. The town's mayor Craig Little joins Kathryn to talk about the impact that will have had, but the good news they received yesterday with a funding deadline for silt and debris collection and disposal being extended.

11:45 Sports-chat with Sam Ackerman

Sam discusses the state of play in the third cricket test against England at Hamilton after the Black Caps posted England 658 to win.