Nine To Noon for Tuesday 5 December 2017

 

 

09:05 Game developers face backlash over loot boxes

The gaming community is encouraging a massive boycott of the game developer, Electronic Arts over its 'pay to loot' gambling systems in its latest video game, Star Wars Battlefront II. Gamers say it uses similar tactics to casinos to take tens of thousands of dollars from players by promoting gambling through micro transactions, where players are prompted to spend real money in return for an upgrade or reward. There are now petitions to revoke EA's Star Wars license, and it's prompted EA to temporarily suspend some of its in-game microtransactions. We're joined by a 19-year-old gamer who lost almost $20,000 to micro transactions within games; co-founder of Leaping Frog, Amy Potter; and the director of AUT's Gambling and Addictions Research Centre, Professor Max Abbott.

09:30 Soft plastic recycling scheme at risk

The company contracted to recycle soft plastic packaging is warning local authorities and major supermarket chains that the scheme may fail if it doesn't get more support. Last year, the soft plastic recycling scheme was established with government funding, to collect plastic packaging. The soft plastic is baled and sent to Melbourne to the recycling company Replas, which turns it into usable products such as park benches and bollards, which are then imported back to this country. Replas says New Zealand has doubled the rubbish it is sending to Australia, and only imported half of it back in the form of recycled products, and the scheme could be at risk unless than changes.

09:45 USA correspondent Susan Milligan

More on the fallout of  the former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleading guilty of lying to the FBI .
Also the joint  large-scale air exercise launched by South Korea and the US amid raised North Korean tensions.

10:05 Anthony Doerr: crafting a best-seller

Anthony Doerr's life turned upside down when his novel, All the Light We Cannot See won a Pulitzer Prize in 2015. He was thrust into the global limelight with his story of two teenagers in the Second World War. The book took ten years to write and involved detailed research visits to Europe. Since that whirlwind success, Anthony Doerr's older works have been re-published to keep his huge fan base happy. In his first New Zealand interview, Anthony talks to Kathryn about the writing process, creating authentic characters as well as sheep farming near Timaru as a younger man.

10:35 Book review

Hannah August reviews Mrs Osmond by John Banville, published by Viking.

10:45 The Reading

The Play of Light by Fiona Farrell, read by Janet Fisher (part 2 of 5).

11:05  One year free tertiary plan  - details revealed

New Zealanders who have just finished school or will leave in 2018 will qualify for a year of free study next year at either a provider based tertiary education or industry training. People who aren't school leavers but have completed less than half a full time year of study also qualify.The details have been released today as part of the Government's one year free tertiary plan which it pledged to have in place in its first 100 days.
Political reporter Mei Heron explains the detail released by The Education Minister Chris Hipkins.
For more information to https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/

11:10 Business commentator Rod Oram

Rob Oram reports on Danone winning a $183m arbitration claim against Fonterra, and the major US oil producer, Anadarko pulls out of New Zealand exploration after racking up heavy losses.

11:30 Preventing regional decline

Pro Vice Chancellor of Massey University Paul Spoonley on the ageing and depopulation of many of our regions.  How will the government's plans to stimulate the economies take effect?

11:45 Media commentator Gavin Ellis

The latest New Zealand media ownership report highlights the number of privately-owned outlets. Could our largest newspaper groups go the same way? The Pacific Media Centre which has established itself as a champion for media freedom celebrates its 10th anniversary. And Gavin pays tribute to journalist Yasmine Ryan.

Gavin Ellis is a media commentator and former editor of the New Zealand Herald. He can be contacted on gavin.ellis@xtra.co.nz