Nine To Noon for Thursday 1 April 2021

 

 

09:05 Otago power users face hike after CommComm decision

Just as winter starts to bite, power users through central Otago and Dunedin have had confirmation they'll have to wear the cost of improving the region's electricity network. The Commerce Commission has released its final decision into Aurora Energy's plan to recoup costs for making the network safe and dependable - which will require an extra $563m over the next five years. The company underinvested in maintenance over the years, leading to many outages. Lynn speaks with Clyde resident and deputy chair of the Vincent Community Board Russell Garbutt and Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan about their reaction to the news.

09:20 Doctors push for Pasifika vaccination awareness 

Could the focus on the Covid vaccine overshadow the need for protection against other serious diseases - including flu and measles? There is disquiet in Pasifika medical circles that the spotlight is so much on the pandemic vaccination schedule that many vulnerable people will not keep up with getting innoculated for other potentially deadly illness. Lynn Freeman talks to Dr Monica Nua-George, clinical director at a Pacific health clinic in Christchurch - Etu Pasifika and Dr Hinamaha Lutui who  is a co director at Alliance Health Plus and a GP at South Point family doctors based in Manukau.

09:40 Siouxsie Wiles named NZer of the Year

Dr Siouxsie Wiles has become a household name in the last year - thanks to Covid 19. The microbiologist and head of University of Auckland's Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab has always been a brilliant science communicator - appearing fornightly on this programme for the past nine years, explaining in plain language everything from why fireflies and glow worms glow, to the future of local anaesthesia. But it's her common sense, calm and clear analysis and commentary during the coronavirus pandemic - not to mention her bright pink hair - that has made her so very well known. Last night, she was named the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. She talks with Lynn Freeman.

09:45 UK Covid rules relaxed, UK race report, Cameron's lobbying

UK correspondent Matthew Parris joins Lynn to look at how a mini-heatwave has arrived in time for the relaxation of Covid restrictions as new research finds nearly half of Britons have Covid anti-bodies and another study suggests the list of countries green-lit for travel could be doubled. A review by the British government finds the UK is "no longer" rigged against people from ethnic minorities, and how did former UK PM David Cameron get caught in a classic lobbying scandal?

10:05 From child refugee to trailblazing journalist: Hella Pick

Hella Pick was just 10 years old when she arrived in Britain from Vienna in 1939 as part of a kindertransport for Jewish children following Hitlers annexation of Austria. Her mother managed to get a visa and joined her three months later. Hella Pick defied expectations that she would become a teacher, instead going to the London School of Economics, and beginning a career in journalism, initially reporting from West Africa as country after country cut colonial ties and became independent. In 1960 she joined The Guardian and worked for almost 35 years as one of its first female foreign correspondents and later as a diplomatic editor, covering many of the biggest events that shaped the 20th century. About to turn 92, she spent lockdown writing her memoir, called Invisible Walls. She talks to Lynn Freeman.

10:35 Book review: Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney

Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney, published by Penguin Random House

10:45 The Reading

The Party Line, episode four. Written by Sue Orr, read by Miriama McDowell.

11:05 Employees' cyber smarts, Fleeceware and the phone market bounces back

Technology correspondent Bill Bennett joins Lynn to look at the new research that's found a big discrepancy in what employers think their workers know about cyber security - and what they actually know. What is Fleeceware and how can it end up costing people large amounts for online services that aren't all that great and the New Zealand phone market has made a comeback - but which models still aren't available in New Zealand?

11:25 Parenting: supporting rainbow students

Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research Mohamed Alansari tells Lynn Freeman about a survey and research to support rainbow students and communities.

11:45 The Father, The Mauritanian, Total Control

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Lynn to talk about Anthony Hopkin's new movie The Father (in cinemas), while his former Silence of the Lambs co-star Jodie Foster tackles the real-life story of Mohamedou Ould Salahi in The Mauritanian (Amazon Prime Video). He'll also look at Australian political drama Total Control (Acorn TV) and the new series of Line of Duty (TVNZ1).

 

Music played in this show

Title: Rolled up
Artist: Benny Sings feat. Mac DeMarco
Broadcast time:  11:45