Nine To Noon for Friday 21 May 2021

 

 

9:05 "There's more to do":  Grant Robertson on Budget 2021

The Finance Minister Grant Robertson discusses the 2021 Budget which he says will undo some of the damage from what was dubbed 'Mother of All Budgets' 30 years ago - delivered by the then National Government. All benefit rates will rise by between $32 and $55 - in line with the Welfare Expert Advisory Group's recommendations, at a cost of $3.3 billion over four years. The spending is fueled by a stronger-than-forecast economic recovery with rising revenue and lower expenses expected to deliver lower deficits and reduced debt. But with the cost of housing and food on the rise, will it be enough to lift people out of poverty? And what is the vision for growing the economy?

09:30 Assistive robots for elderly 

As our population ages, could daily care robot assist the elderly with tasks?. Residents from two Auckland retirement villages have taken part in a University of Auckland study looking at how they reacted to having a robot to help with daily care. People aged in their 70s and 80s had a robot called Bomy stay with them in their homes for up to a week. Psyhological Medicine Professor Elizabeth Broadbent led the research.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor

The road to recovery for Cook Islands tourism, Samoa's Head of State has agreed to convene parliament in order to swear in the members elected in April's general election and more World War Two explosives are discovered in the Solomon Islands.

10:05 Gaza ceasefire agreed between Israel and Palestine

A mutual ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza will begin in about an hour - Israel hasn't yet confirmed the exact time. The ceasefire agreement follows a security cabinet meeting, held by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. There has been growing international pressure in recent days for an immediate end to the deadly conflict. But as the ceasefire was confirmed by Israel, rockets into Southern Israel and airstrikes on Gaza continued.  BBC Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher has the latest.

10:10  Beau Miles and his homespun adventures

Australian Beau Miles spent years adventuring around the globe including kayaking 2,000 km around the southern tip of Africa and running 650 km through the Australian Alps, making films about them. He is an award winning film maker and a self-described oddball, who hates being bored. In the last few years he's settled down a bit, marrying Helen, and becoming dad to baby May. Beau has now turned to satisfying his adventurous spirit closer to home. His Youtube channel is devoted to those challenges: from sleeping in a giant century-old gum tree outside his home, building Helen a new office under a tree in the paddock without her knowledge, to walking 90km to work without any provisions. The films are funny, quirky, warm hearted and uplifting. Beau Miles has just published a book - it's called The Backyard Adventurer.

10:35 Book Review: Displaced by Cristina Sanders

Briar Lawry from Unity Books reviews the YA debut New Zealand novelist Cristina Sanders' Displaced, published by Walker Books

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

British record label Mr Bongo has been releasing musical gems for over 30 years, and we'll hear a couple today - some killer funk from Al "Man" Muntzie and an obscure Brazilian cut from Waldir Calmon. Also, tracks from London "klezmer punk orchestra" Black Country, New Road and South African producer, DJ Black Low. 

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam says player welfare is always an issue, but it's really been at the forefront of our leading collision codes this week. The rugby player hold out over the Silver Lake deal and the Breakers have played their first home game of the season.

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Te Radar and Irene Pink bring a few laughs.

Music played in this show

Artist:   Troy Kingi
Song: Call My Name
Time: 09:44