Nine To Noon for Monday 1 March 2021

 

09:05 Contact tracing expert warns Auckland faces battle

As new details emerge about the circumstances that put Auckland back into lockdown - including that the new cases had contact with an infected family during the last one, how difficult is it going to be to avoid a wider outbreak?. Kathryn talks to contact tracing expert Professor Philip Hill. He is the McAuley Professor of International Health at the University of Otago.

9:20 Islamic Federation report calls for Government accountability 

There have been calls for more action and accountability over the Christchurch mosque attacks in a new report out this morning from the Islamic Federation. It seeks immediate action on a dozen of the Royal Commission's 44 recommendations, including mandatory reporting of firearms injuries. Kathryn speaks to Anjum Rahman from the Islamic Women's Council and Andrew Little, the lead Coordination Minister for the Government's Response to The Royal Commission's Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques.

09:45 Europe: Covid protests and mental health worries

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney joins Kathryn to talk about the weekend's anti-lockdown protest that turned violent in Dublin, just the latest of many that have sprung up across Europe. And there's increasing debate about the impact of lockdowns and restrictions on Europeans' mental health. Meanwhile, the new police chief in the EU’s smallest nation, Malta, has given hope that a fresh page is being turned in the country after years of scandal over the murder of a prominent anti-corruption journalist.

10:05 Casey Evans: Farmer, musician, mum, cowgirl

Southern woman Casey Evans has managed to combine her love of horses and music into a truly unique career. After travelling the world working as a horse trainer in the US, Australia and Canada, she's now based back in the Catlins - running a farm with her husband Rhys while raising three-year-old twins Cole and Luke.
She's well-known on the New Zealand rodeo circuit - not just for her abilities as a barrel racer - but for her voice. After success with three of her singles, she's in the process of recording her debut album, slightly delayed - like many things - due to Covid. Casey joins Kathryn to explain how her all-encompassing country lifestyle has seen her become a brand ambassador for Wrangler.

10:35 Book review - Tranquility and Ruin by Danyl McLauchlan 

Holly Walker reviews Tranquility and Ruin by Danyl McLauchlan, published by Victoria University Press.

10:45 The Reading

2000ft Above Worry Level by Eamonn Marra, read by Jack Sergent.

11:05 Political commentators Jones & Morten

The new seven day level 3 lockdown in Auckland, Kathryn, Neale and Brigitte look at the questions it raises about management of this latest phase, public tolerance and cohesion and the vaccination strategy.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations.

Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. 

 

11:30 Waikawa: PYO blueberries and award-winning olive oil

Blueberries grow in abundance at Waikawa Beach and are just coming into peak season. Lisa Buchan and Glenn Wigley run Waikawa Blueberries, an organic pick-your-own blueberry farm.  They've won awards for their organic Waikawa Glen olive oil too.  Lisa and Glenn join Kathryn with some favourite blueberry recipes.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

We talk to Kennedy from somewhere near Ongarue, west of Taupo. He is riding across the North Island with Nine to Noon's business commentator Rod Oram in an event called the Kopiko. The ride started from Cape Egmont on Saturday and will finish 10 days later at East Cape.