Nine To Noon for Monday 26 July 2021

 

 

09:05 Buy now, pay later services boom, amid calls for greater regulation

A boom in the use of buy now, pay later products has prompted warnings of people falling into financial hardship and growing calls for the sector to be regulated. Buy now, pay later companies such as Laybuy and AfterPay allow online shoppers to buy goods on credit and pay off the balance over four payments. These types of transactions grew by almost half in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the same period last year. Nine to Noon has requested a copy of briefing document from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark, warning that these products are making the accumulation of debt easy. These products don't charge interest to the consumer, rather retailers pay the provider. Because these products don't charge interest, they don't fall under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. Consumer groups are now calling for the buy now, pay later industry to be regulated like other money lenders. The Commerce Minister is weighing up possible regulation. Kathryn speaks with Consumer NZ's head of research is Jessica Wilson and KPMG's head of banking and finance John Kensington.  

09:20 Time to failure: Building to withstand climate change

Questions are being asked about how well our infrastructure can weather climate change.   Climate economist based at Victoria University of Wellington and managing director of Climate Sigma, Belinda Storey is Principal Investigator on the Time-to-Failure in Infrastructure under Climate Change project, which is modelling the impact of escalating extreme weather events on decisions to invest in infrastructure such as bridges, roads, dams, stop banks and airports. The work is being done under the auspices of Victoria University's Whakahura team, lead by Director of the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute Dave Frame and Chair of Disaster Economics at Victoria University Wellington Ilan Noy, which has received 10 million dollars from MBIE to look at extreme events over the next forty years.   Belinda's team has teamed up with NIWA and other modellers to calculate the "time to failure" in infrastructure, and compare it to the pay-back periods currently calculated to give the green light to major infrastructure investments.

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

Tens of thousands have taken part in weekend protests against the introduction of a mandatory Covid 'health pass' in France - the toughest yet to be imposed in Europe - as Italy also brings in similar measures. And countries affected by western Europe's worst deadly flooding in decades say the cleanup operation is massive and it will take weeks if not months

 

10:05 Emma Lewisham: skincare entrepreneur

Emma Lewisham is the Auckland based founder of the rapidly growing skin care brand which bears her name. Launched in 2019 just before the Covid pandemic, Emma Lewisham's skin care range is now sold throughout New Zealand and Australia, with plans to launch much further in September. An article in Forbes magazine and mentions on social media by celebrities including Kourtney Kardashian and Margot Robbie have boosted the brand's profile. Now former Air New Zealand CEO and chair of Icebreaker and Michael Hill Rob Fyfe and his wife Sarah have invested in the business, with Rob coming on as an advisor. Emma Lewisham spent three years working nights and weekends developing her products - which she was determined would be all natural, but effective, backed by science, and carbon neutral.

10:35 Book review - The Stranding by Kate Sawyer

Laura Caygill reviews The Stranding by Kate Sawyer, published by Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Political commentators Mills & Thomas

Kathryn, Stephen and Ben discuss the implications of the suspension of the Trans Tasman travel bubble and how New Zealanders will get home. Also the progression of the Covid vaccine rollout and discontent over the extent that police officers should be armed.

Stephen Mills is the executive director of UMR Research , which is the polling firm used by Labour.  He is former political adviser to two Labour governments.

Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

11:20 The perfect seasoning with Marcus Peters

It's the element that can make or break a dish. Small, but packs a mighty punch. It is, of course, seasoning. Kiwi chef Marcus Peters has returned home to start his own company Smoke and Spice and is creating seasonings that alight the senses. Marcus talks to Kathryn about being a chef for 20 years, moving in kitchens from Australia to London, and sourcing local ingredients to make the perfect seasoning.

11:45 Urban issues, the landscape for renters

Bill McKay talks to Kathryn about building to rent, renting to buy - will this be the new reality of renting and possibilities for the future?

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

 

 

Music played in this show

Artist: Bullion
Song: Had a Good Time
Time played: 10.10

Artist: Tash Sultana
Song: Crop Circles
Time played: 10:45

Artist: Charlotte Day Wilson
Song: If I could
Time played: 11:35