Nine To Noon for Monday 4 April 2022

09:05 Vaccine mandates lifting in education: what happens now?

Vaccine mandates end in schools and early childhood centres at midnight, as they do in many settings, including Police, Defence Force and businesses operating vaccine passes. An estimated 96% of school and early childhood staff complied with the rule when it was introduced last year, but a few thousand teachers and other staff refused to be vaccinated against the virus and lost their jobs. Some may now seek re-employment and principals may be looking to re-employing them.  Schools have been advised by the New Zealand School Trustees Association cases of returning teachers can be assessed on a "case by case" basis. Kathryn discusses the implications with Auckland Primary Principals' Association and Principal of Newmarket Primary School Wendy Kofoed, and PPTA President Melanie Webber.

09:20 Australian federal anti-corruption commission needed now: ex judge

Stephen Charles is a former judge of appeal in the Victorian Supreme Court, QC, member of the Accountable Round Table and the Centre for Public Integrity making the case for a Federal anti-corruption commission in Australia.  He says pork barreling and other forms of corruption are common in Australian politics and are undermining trust in democracy. Scott Morrison's coalition government did propose the establishment of an anti-corruption commission in 2018, but when the idea finally reached legislative form in November 2020, it was widely panned by critics as so flawed as to be useless. Now with another Federal Election due in mid May, Stephen Charles says the Coalition won't hesitate to pour money into marginal seats, while Australia's rankings in international integrity rankings goes down. He's co-written a book with Dr Catherine Williams called Keeping Them Honest. 

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

Sebastian and Kathryn discuss whether we are about to see agreement finally on reviving 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and if the recent  summit in Israel with 4 Arab countries will be a significant harbinger of change in the region. Also  the two month ceasefire in Yemen.

Sebastian Usher is a BBC Middle East analyst, editor and reporter    

10:05 Intensive market gardening the sustainable way

Sustainable intensive gardening might sound like a contradiction in terms, but small-scale market gardener Jodi Roebuck and his partner Tanya are proving it can be done. They farm a small block 12 kilometers outside of New Plymouth and provide top-end microgreens and salads to a select number of restaurants and shops, but have also expanded to Pak N Save Supermarket. Jodi says when they set up it was important for them to find the perfect site.

10:35 Book review: The Fish by Lloyd Jones

Bruce McKenzie of Bruce McKenzie Booksellers in Palmerston North reviews The Fish  by Lloyd Jones, published by Penguin Random House

10:45 The Reading

Kelson Henderson with the final episode of  'The Invisible Rider' by Kirsten McDougall.

11:05 Political commentators Jones & Morten

Neale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss various Government supports kicking in this month and also National’s tax cuts. And a look at Labour MP Louisa Wall’s departure and her legacy.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the 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 Preserving Central Otago's bounty

Many of us know nothing compares to the taste of tree-ripened fruit. The season may be short lived, but not if you're a preserving devotee. While it may not ordinarily be a pursuit of the younger generations, Central Otago chef Gus Hayden chats to Kathryn about how he's used his preserving skills to build an award-winning business, Augustines of Central, using the best of the region's organic produce, and he also shares a recipe. 

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

 Kennedy discusses the impact and influence of the late Moana Jackson's writings, including his thoughts about art and decolonisation. He also talks about about recent experiences in Ipipiri, the Bay of Islands.

 

Music played in this show

Artist: Fellini Félin

Song: Come to the Fore

Time Played: 10:10

 

Artist: Lucy Dacus

Song: Dancing in the Dark

Time played: 10:30

 

Artist: Crowded House

Song: Four Seasons in one Day

Time played: 10:45