Nine To Noon for Tuesday 2 October 2018

 

09:05 Record high building apprenticeships, not enough

The training organisation for the building and construction sector (BCITO)  says the government should pay employers to teach apprentices - which would help address the shortage. New figures released today show there are currently 12,000 building and construction apprentices around the country - the highest number yet, but this is still tens of thousands short of expected need. BCITO Chief Executive Warwick Quinn on what needs to be done.

0920 Elevated BPA levels found in Capital's aquifer

Traces of a dangerous chemical used in plastic packaging, Bisphenol-A, or BPA, have been found in a Wellington aquifer. While the amounts discovered have been deemed safe by health authorities, environmental scientists say it should be a warning for communities around the country that drink untreated water directly out of aquifers. Wellington's water is treated with chlorine and UV radiation by the time it makes its way to customers. Louis Tremblay is an environmental toxicologist from The Cawthron Institute.

09:30 Weapons or soldiers? Do animals deserve protection in war?

Currently there are no regulations protecting the way the likes of military dogs and horses should be treated when they're used in action or once they return. The question of military animals' status and their well being is being researched by Waikato University's Dr Anna Marie Brennan who wants to see a law change.The issue first caught her attention with the story of a British military dog named Colonel who was captured by the Taliban in 2014 and held as a prisoner of war.

09:45 FBI enters Kavanaugh fray & new NAFTA deal

From the US, Washington bureau chief of The Guardian, David Smith with the ongoing Brett Kavanaugh drama, as the FBI investigation is underway. Also, the US and Canada reach a deal on a "new, modernised trade agreement", which is designed to replace the 1994 NAFTA pact.

10:05 Women who fight fires....and harassment

Kelly Martin and Katie Smart are part of a very small group of senior female firefighters around the world.
Kelly is the Chief of Fire and Aviation Management for Yosemite National Park in California, and Katie is only the third woman in New Zealand to become a station officer.  In 2016 Kelly testified before a Congressional inquiry into widespread sexual harassment, bullying and other misconduct at national parks across the United States, speaking about her own experiences including sexual harassment, that she had encountered in her three decades of service. It's been a long and often lonely road for both women.

10:35 Book review - The Death Of Hitler by Jean-Chris Brisard

Dean Bedford reviews The Death Of Hitler by Jean-Chris Brisard, which is published by Hachette.  

10:45 The Reading

Singing Home the Whale by Mandy Hager, read by Simon Leary and  Alex Greig. episode 2 of 15.

11:05 Orion shareholders vote  & Tatua's excellent result

It's business with Rod Oram, with the vote from Orion Health shareholders to sell off most of the company, Tatua turns in an excellent result and Shane Jones talks tough on log exports.

11:30 Repurposing old materials, spaces and buildings

Lifestyle writer, Catherine Foster takes a look at repurposing old materials, and how a range of homes have used upcycled bits and pieces to great effect. From rusting roofing off an old barn to hauling up river wood, or reusing telegraph poles. Her her new book Repurposed, features 20 homes from Mahurangi to Cromwell including a three storey container home, churches, a barn and an old army barracks.

11:45 State attempted stifling of NZ media

Media commentator Gavin Ellis says NZ news media are quite rightly rebelling against attempts by Police and other state agencies to control news coverage with onerous access ‘contracts’. And the inevitable is happening, the Sunday Star Times is joining the other newspapers in the Stuff stable in converting to a ‘compact’ or tabloid format. Also more Stuff redundancies.

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

Music played in this show

Song: Blow Back

Artist: Grayson Gilmour

Time: 10:05