Nine To Noon for Thursday 10 March 2016

09:05  Reserve bank surprise cut to benchmark interest rate

A surprise cut has been announced to the official cash rate of 25 basis points to 2.25%. There are indications of more to come. Giles Beckford our Business Editor joins us.

Spy law shake-up: heightened protection or erosion of privacy?

A major review of the country's intelligence agencies has recommended that the GCSB and the SIS be governed by a single law so their purposes and boundaries are clearer. Under the proposal, it would be easier for the Government Communications Security Bureau to carry out surveillance on New Zealanders.
Will this lead to heightened protection of people or an erosion of privacy?

Sir Michael Cullen is one of the author's of the review.

09:20 How iwi led justice panels are keeping offenders away from crime 

Funding is due to soon run out for three iwi led panels, which offer an alternative justice system for low-level offenders. 
The three panels, in Lower Hutt, Gisborne and Counties Manukau, were set up in 2014, with the objective of diverting low-level offenders away from crime, and keep them out of the criminal justice system. 
The Justice Ministry has yet to decide whether it will continue funding them, saying while it appreciates the groundswell of enthusiasm, it has to consider the role and fit of the panels in the wider criminal justice system. Neville Baker is the chair of the Waiwhetu iwi led panel. Asher Hauwaho is the Iwi Liaison Officer for the Lower Hutt police.

09:40 Surprise cut to interest rates - what does Reserve Bank say about economic outlook?

RNZ Economics correspondent Patrick O'Meara reports on the Reserve Bank's surprise cut to the benchmark interest rate, the Official Cash Rate, and what the governor, Graeme Wheeler, has said about the economic outlook.

09:45 UK Correspondent Matthew Parris

Is the Queen a Brexiteer? Trouble with plans for Britain's newest nuclear reactor and the Royal Skiing holiday.

10:05 Andrea Tornielli on what the Pope really thinks

Vatican reporter, Andrea Tornielli who has collaborated with the Pope on his new book: Pope Francis: The Name of God is Mercy. A Conversation with Andrea Tornielli explores a central theme of the current Pope's teachings - forgiveness. Pope Francis speaks of the value of confession as a means for self-reflection and of how there is no justice if there is no forgiveness. But the Catholic Church has been struggling with its own demons and issues of justice.  The Oscar-winning film Spotlight about the US coverup of pedophile priests has once again highlighted the issue that has plagued it over the last few years; the extent to which the church has covered up the abuse by its clergymen. Andrea Tornielli has been reporting on the Vatican since the 1990’s and has authored over 50 books.

10:35 Book review

Much Ado About Shakespeare by Donovan Bixley

10:45 The Reading

Bulibasha by Witi Ihimaera read by George Henare (Part 9 of 15)

11:05 New technology

Andy Linton discusses passwords; what a really good one is like and the tools that help you remember them

11:25 Parenting

What chores should your children be capable of doing and how to get them to do them with Kiwi Families editor Rochelle Gribble.

11:45 Viewing with Lara Strongman

Bloke-viewing - the new Damian Lewis drama Billions, Vinyl - about the US record industry in the 1970's...and the new series of The Bachelor

Music played in this show

Artist:  Gotye featuring Kimbra
Song: Somebody That I Used to Know
Album: Making Mirrors
Time: 10:10

Artist:   Jenny Lewis
Song: Just One of the Guys
Composer: Lewis
Album: The Voyager
Label: Warner
Time: 10:41

Artist:   Sharan Jones
Song: We get Along
Time: 10:56

Artist:   Melody Gardot
Song: Same To You
Composer: Gardot
Album: Currency of Man
Label: Universal
Time: 11:25