09:05  Volunteer firefighter association CEO faces harassment investigation

The Chief Executive of the volunteer fire fighters' association is the subject of an independent investigation relating to two separate complaints of sexual harassment and bullying. The United Fire Brigade Association board has just appointed Kristy McDonald QC to conduct the investigation into its CEO Bill Butzbach. The complaints against Mr Butzbach relate to incidents several years ago,  and come as Fire and Emergency faces mounting pressure over the way it handles complaints over sexual assault, harassment and bullying. Nine to Noon Executive Producer Clare Sziranyi with more details, then Kathryn speaks with the Chair of the UFBA, Richie Smith.

No caption

Photo: UFBA CEO Bill Butzbach. ufba.org.nz

09:25 Kiwis turning E-waste to gold, but not in New Zealand

The New Zealand based start-up Mint Innovation, is on track to open its first  commercial refineries for extracting precious metals from e-waste in Britain and Australia later this year, which will also be the world's first to use gold 'eating' microbes rather than the cyanide. But with no official e-waste recycling or recovery scheme in this country, and as the only OECD nation without any national regulations, New Zealanders will miss out on the advances. E-waste is the fastest growing form of waste, and every year the average New Zealander generates around 20 kilograms of the stuff. According to a recent report by the UN, the world dumps at least $10bn worth of gold, platinum, and other precious metals in a growing e-waste mountain each year. The problem is made worse by the release of toxic compounds into the atmosphere associated with unsafe recycling practices.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

With protests in Portland Oregon turning deadly and the National Guard headed for Kenosha, Wisconsin Ron Elving talks to Kathryn about what is going on, is this a race war, or something else?. Also an update on where the presidential contest is at.

A demonstrator carries a makeshift shield across the street in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 25 August 2020.

Photo: AFP / Getty Images

Ron Elving is Senior Editor and Correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News.

10:05 Mary Trump's insight into what makes Donald Trump tick

Mary Trump composite

Photo: Peter Serling

Mary Trump speaks to Kathryn of a toxic family history which she believes shaped her uncle, Donald Trump.
Her book, Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man, is a portrait of the 45th President of the United States of America. Donald Trump's only niece Mary, writes of a destructive family environment which she believes was instrumental in shaping his behaviour. She is a trained clinical psychologist, her father Fred who died in 1981 was the oldest of Donald Trump's four siblings. 
 

10:35 Book review - Battle of Britain by Simon Pearson

No caption

Photo: Hachette

Quentin Johnson reviews Battle of Britain: The pilots and planes that made history by Simon Pearson, published by Simon Pearson.

10:45 The Reading

Susy Pointon's Hard Up (New Zealand) Limited, told by Aaron Alexander. Episode 2 of 10.

11:05 Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson - scrap GST?

GST invoice

Photo: 123RF

Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson  ponders whether we should rid of GST to boost economic activity? She also looks at what is going on with Team New Zealand.

Rebecca Stevenson is BusinessDesk's Auckland bureau chief.

11:30 Scotty and Stacey Morrison - practicing te reo

Husband and wife team, Scotty and Stacey Morrison run through some fun ways to learn and practice te reo Māori. They have a new book out - Māori Made Fun.

Scotty and Stacey Morrison

Scotty and Stacey Morrison Photo: MasseyHumSocSci ‏ @MasseyHumSocSci

11:45 Media commentator Cathy Strong

Cathy Strong talks to Kathryn about the story behind Facebook posts not to share, Newsroom is setting up a new system to allow subscribers to make comments on news stories, and the Government funded local government journalists scheme has completed its first year. Dr Strong is an academic from Massey University, lecturing in journalism and public relations.

 

Music played in this show

Track: Ngaru Hou 
Artist: Seth Haapu 
Time: 11.28

Track: You Ain't the Problem 
Artist: Michael Kiwanuka 
Time: 11.44