Nine To Noon for Thursday 3 April 2025

 

 

09:05  A report from the NZ Initiative says investment in GPs would mean huge savings at hospital level

New research from the think tank, the New Zealand Initiative, is pushing for more investment in GP's to save spending at hospital level. A  report out today highlights the stark estimated cost differences: an emergency department visit, without hospital admission, costs approximately $650 compared to around $50 for a GP consultation. The author Dr Prabani Wood, who is a research fellow at the business funded organisation and a specialist GP herself, says investment in  primary care could save millions of dollars, ease the pressure on hospitals and improve patient care. Kathryn speaks to Dr Wood ahead of a presentation of  her report to the New Zealand Initiative's annual member's meeting.   

09:20  Details of Donald Trumps global tariff plans are being revealed    

Donald Trump is unveiling the details of his global tariff plans -  so called "Liberation Day" - in a speech from the Rose Garden of the White House. Nations all around the world - including New Zealand - have been on tenterhooks waiting to hear about the barrage of what he is calling "reciprocal" tariffs. Donald Trump says he wants to "liberate" the US from a reliance on foreign goods, but nothing much has been known ahead of today about how the tariffs will be implemented and which of America's trading partners will be most affected. Kathryn speaks to our correspondent, Caroline Malone, who is at the White House.

09:30 James May on his new stage show about the world's greatest explorers

For years he was part of the driving force behind the wildly popular motoring show Top Gear - now James May has navigated his way into history. He's bringing a stage show called Explorers to this corner of the world - digging deep into what drove people to seek the unknown and travel the globe. And it's no small feat - the show takes in ice age migrations to space exploration - with everything in between. James is somewhat of an explorer himself, undertaking solo exploits in his 'Our Man in....' travelogues. James joins Kathryn to explain more about Explorers: The Age of Discovery.

09:45 UK correspondent: Britain digests US tariff announcement

Dan brings UK reaction to President Trump's tariff announcement this morning.

10:05 The ambitious plan to get a Kiwi boat in the 2027 Ocean Race

When Conrad Colman was growing up in Auckland, sailing optimists at the Kohimara Yacht club, he idolised the big names in round-the world racing like Sir Peter Blake. When the Whitbread or Volvo fleets stopped over at Auckland - Conrad and thousands of others were out on the Hauraki Gulf welcoming the boats in. He went on to become a round the world racer - he's done it four times now - twice solo. So when Auckland was announced once again as a stop off for the 2027 Ocean Race, Conrad and his friend -  marine strategist Rowan Gyde - hatched an ambitious plan to have a New Zealand entry in that race. They've launched Aotearoa Ocean Racing - with the aim to attract sponsors for an all kiwi campaign in 2027. They speak with Kathyrn from their base in France.

10:30 Mental health support programme misses target by 100,000 +

A review released this morning five years into a mental health support programme shows it is over 100,000  people off its target. The Access and Choice scheme was first introduced in the 2019 Wellbeing Budget, with the goal of reaching 325,000 per year. It reached 207,000 people in the 2023-24 year. The programme's focus is on mild-to-moderate mental health issues, and while its been applauded for a positive impact on these services, industry leaders have accused it of poaching staff previously working at the severe end of need. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission carried out the review, and the chief executive Karen Orsborn joins Kathryn.

10:35 Book review: The Futures of Democracy, Law and Government Edited by Mark Hickford, Matthew S R Palmer

Dean Bedford reviews The Futures of Democracy, Law and Government Edited by Mark Hickford, Matthew S R Palmer published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Alisha Evans in Tauranga

Olympic gold medallist Mahé Drysdale goes rowing with fellow mayor to plug their water consultation, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell's equal voting rights bill has been challenged by Iwi leaders, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council has legged it from LGNZ.

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

11:05 New technology with Peter Griffen

Microsoft turns 50 on Friday. Peter looks at some of the hits and misses, and the major pivot Microsoft made to the cloud in the mid 2000s. However it has blotted its copybook with Kiwis on its 50th anniversary by expecting them to pay $50 for extended Windows 10 support.

Peter Griffin is a Wellington-based science and technology journalist.

11:22 Trade Minister responds to US tariffs

Trade Minister Todd McLay has just been responding to the US President's tariff announcement this morning. He's confirmed that from this weekend New Zealand exporters will face a 10 percent tariff on all goods exported. RNZ political reporter Russell Palmer joins Kathryn.

11.25 You are good enough: Alice Peel's message for kids

Primary teacher and co-founder of a mental health venture, Alice Peel, says it's ok for children to feel low from time to time. She wants kids to understand the feeling is normal , and that there are tools to deal with those moments. Her new book lays out the science of the brain and replaces parts with animals - making brain functions easier to understand and remember for children.  Topics include how to get out of a trap, how to be brave and how to be resilient when you don't want to be.  Her book is called How to be a (fantastic sensational) good enough kid.  

11:45 Screentime: The Rule of Jenny Pen, The Return, White Bird

Film and TV reviewer James Croot looks at The Rule of Jenny Pen (cinemas), from Kiwi director James Ashcroft starring John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush. LOL: Last One Laughing (Prime Video) is a show where UK comedians try to make others laugh while keeping a straight face, The Return (cinemas) is a retelling of sections of Homer's Odyssey and White Bird (Netflix) is a American war drama based on a graphic novel of the same name.