Nine To Noon for Wednesday 25 March 2020

 

09:05 Kiwi student stranded in South Africa due to broken embassy printer

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has told tens of thousands of New Zealanders traveling overseas they should consider sheltering in place, in light of Covid-19. The hubs Kiwis usually rely on for transit like LA and Singapore are closed to foreign nationals. Mr Peters says government-assisted flights are being considered, but there's no guarantees.

Ibraheen Rasheed is an Otago medical student who had his passport stolen while on an elective placement in South Africa. He was unable to get an emergency travel document due to a broken printer at the High Commission in Pretoria. His mother Fazilat Shah tells Kathryn what dealings he's had with MFAT.

09:15 Over one hundred Kiwis stuck on Vasco Da Gama

118 New Zealanders are stuck aboard the Australian Vasco Da Gama cruise ship, due back in Fremantle on Friday. Margaret and Rodger Lane from Christchurch were supposed to be on the trip of a lifetime, but instead, they're trying to work out how to get back to New Zealand, assuming the ship is exempt from Australian port closures. Their son Robbie joins Kathryn to talk about their situation.

09:20 'Get home' deadline extended: What are the prospects for travelling?

The deadline for stranded students and workers to get home from the regions has been extended to midnight Friday. This follows queues and concern at our domestic ports and airports as students and travellers try to get home before the original cut-off date of midnight tonight. Minister of Transport Phil Twyford  speaks with Kathryn.

09:40 How will Covid-19 affect cancer patients?

The Cancer Society says it expects most cancer treatments to go ahead as normal during the four week lockdown. The society says all chemotherapy will go ahead, while some other treatments may change, or be deferred, depending on each individual patient. The society's medical director Dr Chris Jackson explains what the lockdown means for patients.

09:50 Are retired doctors and nurses returning to work?

The Medical Council and Nursing Council are the organisations charged with accelerating re-certification and re-registration of doctors and nurses offering to return to the frontline. Kathryn talks with CEO of the Nursing Council Cath Byrne and Chair of the Medical Council, Dr Curtis Walker.

10:05 Food purchases up - can anything stop people panic buying?

The amount people are spending on food is up 150 per cent on last year. Supermarkets are begging people to stop panic buying, but it appears they're not listening. Chris Quinn, CEO of Foodstuffs North Island is back on the programme. 

10:10 New scheme aims to shore up small and medium-sized businesses

The Government and the banks will implement a $6.25 billion Business Finance Guarantee Scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, to protect jobs and support the economy. It will provide short-term credit to cushion the financial distress on solvent small and medium-sized firms affected by the COVID-19 crisis.Finance Minister Grant Robertson says retail banks have agreed a six month mortgage repayment holiday to households whose income has been affected by Covid-19. Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr joins Kathryn to discuss.

10:20 House buyers and sellers in limbo during lockdown

Those people buying or selling a house during the lockdown are in an uncertain state right now. The Real Estate Institute's Bindi Norwell and conveyancing lawyer Mark Szigetvary join Kathryn to talk about how it affects the industry and what homeowners can do.

10:30 What help for carers of high needs people during lockdown?

Carers of people with autism, intellectual disabilities and high and complex  needs say they're preparing for a very stressful four weeks, with uncertainty around respite care and a vastly altered residential care system. Autism NZ CEO Dane Dougan and Colleen Brown who has a son with an intellectual disability and is chair of Disability Connect.

10:45 Big adjustments to the university year

A number of contingencies are underway in the university sector due to Covid disruption, with adjustments to the academic calendar, including rescheduling of graduation ceremonies and exams. Dawn Freshwater took over as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Auckland and joins Kathryn to discuss the Covid challenges.

10:55 Vets: an essential service

Veterinarians are classified as an essential service during this escalated response to containing Covid-19, and will remain open.  The NZ Veterinary Association has advice for looking after your pets during Stage Four.  It says there is limited evidence companion animals can be infected with COVID-19 or that pet dogs or cats can present a source of infection to humans or other animals. NZVA chief veterinary officer Dr Helen Beattie speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

11:05 Internet and phone services feel the heat

People working from home who might be worried whether their broadband and phone networks will cope during the four week lockdown are being given reassurances by providers. We talk Geoff Thorn is the CEO of the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum and industry spokesperson.

11:30 Parenting Coronokids

Parenting expert Karen Boyes joins Kathryn to share some tips to help parents cope with having their kids home for the next four weeks. Her top one? You are not expected to be the Teacher. You are the Parent.

11:45 Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles answers your Covid questions

Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn again on the programme to talk about Covid-19. Listeners had many questions yesterday, you can send more through to ninetonoon@rnz.co.nz or text the programme at 2101.

Associate Professor Dr Siouxsie Wiles is the head of Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland.