Nine To Noon for Monday 29 November 2021

 

09:05 Omicron: how worried should we be?

Travel restrictions are being reintroduced around the world after a new Covid-19 "variant of concern" was detected. The World Health Organisation says Omicron has a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggests an increased reinfection risk. It's the first strain to be declared a variant of concern since the detection of Delta. Kathryn asks evolutionary virologist at the University of Otago Dr Jemma Geoghegan how concerned we should be about the outbreak of this new variant.

09:15 New research into 'sweat equity' at our universities 

There are concerns more post-grad students at our tertiary institutions will abandon their research because they simply can't afford to continue. A new paper out today analyses how the stipend portion of scholarships and awards granted to PhD and Masters candidates haven't kept pace with minimum wage - let alone the living wage. It found from 2000 to 2010, PhD scholarships grew on average from $14,000 to over $24,476. But over the next nine years to 2019, only rose by $1000 dollars. The researchers say the cost-sharing of post-grad research is skewed in favour of universities, who have kept their financial contribution low relative to inflation and living costs. They say the overall effect may be to lock out certain groups from research careers. Kathryn speaks to Chrystal O'Connor, a PhD candidate at Lincoln University who's organised a petition seeking to increase the stipend to minimum and one of the paper's authors, Dr Sereana Naepi.

 

09:30 Why does government policy sometimes fail to deliver?

From combating Covid, to climate change action, plans for water reform, child poverty and the housing crisis - public policy attempts to solve a myriad problems. So why do some policies succeed and others fail? Kathryn speaks with Canterbury University public policy academics Sonia Mazey and Jeremy  Richardson whose book, Policy Making Under Pressure, includes contributions from former government ministers, including Bill English and Lianne Dalziel as well as senior public servants and political advisors.

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney - Omicron fears

Europe is taking no chances with the new Covid 19 Omicron variant. EU states have moved quickly to restrict the arrival of passengers from numerous countries in southern Africa. Tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine and Belarus have gone up a notch, with the Ukrainian President claiming his government has uncovered an imminent Russian-backed plot to overthrow his government. Seamus also talks to Kathryn about the UK being disinvited from EU talks on the Channel migrant tragedy.

10:05 From stolen childhood to remarkable Australian leader - Aunty Di

Yorta Yorta woman Dianne O'Brien was raised in the era of the White Australia policy, a child of the stolen generation. Her memoir Daughter of the River Country - is a story of survival and triumph, raised by a loving adoptive mother and a distant and abusive father. She didn't find out she was Aboriginal until adulthood. Her adult life was marred with domestic violence, alcohol abuse and tragedy, but despite her troubles, she has been recognised for her community leadership and health programmes for people in need. Now in her seventies, Dianne O'Brien is the Chairperson of Mingaletta Corporation, which is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community hub.  She has 37 grandchildren and great grandchildren, has previously been named New South Wales Grandmother of the year, and is commonly known as Aunty Di.

10:35 The effect of Omicron on financial markets

RNZ's Business Editor Gyles Beckford explains how the markets have reacted the new variant.

10:35 Book review: Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee & Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket

Louise Ward of Wardini Books in Havelock North reviews Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee, published by Allen and Unwin, and Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket, published by Bloomsbury

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Political commentators Jones & Morten - National leader vacancy

Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten talk to Kathryn about the National leadership in disarray and the new front runners to lead the Party. Also Speaker, Trevor Mallard's criticism of the Government over the 'Traffic Light' legislation. And more worry on the Covid 19 front with the advent of a new strain, Omicron, which is surfacing globally and is in Australia.

 

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

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

11:30 Delicious salads for every season

If you're looking for a bit of inspiration to spruce up your summer salads, look no further than the Two Raw Sisters - the masters of delicious plant-based salads. Off the back of the success of their two previous cookbooks, they've now focused solely on salads, releasing the book Salad with more than 70 recipes. Whether you're gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, low FODMAP or a meat lover, the recipes cater to all eaters, and include suggestions for which proteins would match each salad best. With exciting recipes like spiced eggplant, butter beans and pomegranate tahini, or roasted cauliflower, lentil tabbouleh and cumin yoghurt, there'll be something for everyone, with a section of sweet dessert "salads" for those wanting to try something completely new. Kathryn speaks with Margo and Rosa Flanagan, the pair behind the Two Raw Sisters.

Garlic Zucchini and Mint Pine Nut Salsa
Sumac Roasted Cauliflower, Pomegranate Caper Salsa and Tahini
Anzac, Strawberries and Burnt Caramel Yoghurt

11:45 Urban issues with Bill McKay

As planning rules are relaxed, the floodgates will open - but will we build what people need? Bill McKay looks at the nature and needs of the contemporary NZ household, and what our diverse population is looking for.

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