Nine To Noon for Friday 11 March 2022

 

09:05 Energy Minister Megan Woods on NZ's fuel security

Earlier this week Nine to Noon looked at the big change on the way to how we get fuel into, and around, New Zealand. After nearly 60 years, the Marsden Point Refinery will shut down its processing units and become an import-only terminal from next month. It means New Zealand will be reliant on tankers bringing refined oil products into the country - a report from Z Energy estimated 175 tankers would visit each year. Amid this fundamental change to our fuel processing capability comes Russia's attack on Ukraine, and the impact it's having on global oil supply and pricing. New Zealand is party to an agreement which saw it support the release of 60 million barrels of emergency oil stocks, in order to ease uncertainty in the market. But how we store our own emergency reserves will also have to change because of the transition at Marsden Point. Energy Minister Megan Woods joins Kathryn to discuss.

09:30 Inquiry launched into Support of Disabled People During Omicron

The Disability Rights Commissioner is so concerned about the situation for disabled people during omicron, she has launched an inquiry.Paula Tesoreiro says she is worried about a lack of targeted, accessible information for disabled people, support for testing, help for those experiencing difficulties self-isolating, and the continuity of essential in-home services for disabled people. She says she has heard multiple anecdotes about people being let down by the current response.

09:40 Safety fears over delay to lowering speed limit

Ashburton's Deputy Mayor has been left frustrated after being told it will be two years before the Transport Agency Waka Kotahi could lower a speed limit on a 300 metre stretch of road on the outskirts of Methven. Liz McMillan says developments along State Highway 77 mean the 100-k speed limit is no longer fit for purpose. Frustrated with the length of time it's taken for the agency to act, she's launched a petition which has gained 500 signatures - or a quarter of the town's population.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Susana Lei'ataua

Susana talks to Kathryn about the passage of Covid in the Pacific, including Niue and Vanuatu experiencing their first cases.

Susana Lei'ataua is RNZ Pacific's news editor

10:05 A sticky subject: the science of surfaces

The Post-It note tacked to your wall, the non-stick frypan in the kitchen cupboard, and even your vehicle's tyres gripping the road... You've probably not given too much thought to what makes things sticky, and others slippery. But Laurie Winkless has. She's a physicist and science writer, based in Wellington, and has just published Sticky: The Secret Science of Surfaces. Laurie Winkless tells Kathryn how we're surrounded by stickiness, and it's shaped the manufactured and natural world around us. 

10:35 Book review:  Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

Martene McCaffrey of Unity Books Auckland reviews Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez.  Published by Little, Brown

A bold and funny insight into the complicated familial relationships of Olga, a strong-minded Puerto Rican narrator and guide through a rapidly gentrifying and corrupt New York. Gonzalez's debut novel is a beautiful and hilarious look at identity, family, politics and love.

10:45 The Reading

Stuart Devenie reads episode 15 of Live Bodies, written by Maurice Gee.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Houston psych trio Khruangbin and fellow Texan Leon Bridges reconvened recently to knock out a sequel to their previous EP, Texas Sun. This moody new arrival is called Texas Moon, and we'll hear two tracks today, followed by a hazy summer anthem from Christophe El Truento/ Lucky Lance and a fresh single from Auckland's Sandy Mill. 

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam talks to Kathryn about the King of Spin, Shane Warne, his sporting prowess, bowling achievements and the global tributes paid to him this week, following his death in Koh Samui, Thailand aged 52. Also womens world cup cricket, Super Rugby Aupiki, and the social media post that landed NZR in hot water.

 

11:45 The week that was - wordle cheats & more

Comedians Te Radar and Donna Brookbanks bring some levity to the end of the week, including the findings of a new study which shows many people are cheating on their daily Wordle game.

 

 

Music played in this show

Artist:  Lianne La Habas
Track: Seven Times
Time played: 10:39

Artist:  Mikey Dam
Track: Mau (Would You)
Time played: 11:46