Nine To Noon for Tuesday 25 October 2022

 

 

09:05 Rishi Sunak to become new UK Prime Minister

The United Kingdom has its third leader in two months, after Rishi Sunak won the Conservative Party's latest leadership contest. The former chancellor will take over from Liz Truss, who resigned on Friday -  just 45 days into her premiership following a disastrous mini-budget that sparked economic turmoil. Mr Sunak will be sworn in after meeting with King Charles tomorrow after his nearest rival, Penny Mourdant, apparently failed to secure the 100 nominations required to stay in the race. There had been speculation Liz Truss' predecessor Boris Johnson could make a comeback, but early yesterday he released a statement saying he had decided not to run. So who is Rishi Sunak, and will he be able to bring some stability to the Tory Party? Kathryn is joined by UK correspondent Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor at The Times.

09:15 Sweeping review of electoral rules includes voting age and longer term

Submissions on a sweeping review of electoral rules close in three weeks. The Independent Electoral Review is considering almost everything to do with the running of elections, political donations, who should vote, how long those elected should stay and whether the MMP threshold of 5% should be reduced. The review was announced by former Justice Minister Kris Faafoi earlier this year and the independent panel appointed after cross party consultation.The review panel is holding public meetings in person and online, and public submissions are open until mid November. Kathryn speaks with deputy chair of the Independent Electoral Review panel, Victoria Unversity Associate Professor, Maria Bargh.

09:30 Zincovery: The Kiwi startup seeking to green up the zinc industry

Zinc is widely used to galvanise steel and iron, putting a protective layer over it to make the metals non-corrosive.  But the process creates a lot of waste, and recycling zinc is more emissions-intensive than mining it in the first place. It's a problem Jonathan Ring went back to university to solve, working on it for his masters at the University of Canterbury under engineer Aaron Marshall. Together the pair co-founded Zincovery - which recycles zinc dust back its pure form. Jonathan joins Kathryn to explain how Zincovery's technology works and their plans for scaling up.

09:45 USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

The Republicans are slowly chipping away at Democrats' formidable lead with Latino voters. Danielle explores some of the theories about why this is happening. She also looks at a national "don't-say-gay" bill. House Republicans have introduced a bill that would prohibit federal funds from being used to support any 'sexually-oriented' programs, events, and literature for children under 10; ban federal facilities from hosting or promoting such events or literature; and allow parents and guardians to sue government officials, agencies and private entities if a child under 10 is 'exposed' to such materials. Danielle says it has very little chance of passing in this Congress.

Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk

10:05 Simon Gault on food fame, health battles and a passion for flying

He's one of New Zealand's best-known chefs but a new book takes an intimate look at the life of Simon Gault beyond his culinary skills.  He's been the driving force behind Bell House, Euro, Jervois Steak House, Gault's on Quay and Giraffe - and spent five years as a judge on Masterchef New Zealand. A scare with Type-2 diabetes helped shape his interest in getting healthier and he fronted two TV shows encouraging others to do that: Why are We Fat and Chef on a Mission. Perhaps less well-known is Simon's passion for flying - something he goes into depth in, in his new biography Simon Gault: No Half Measures. It's been written with help from journalist and restaurant reviewer Kim Knight. And for the food-lovers among us, it's also peppered full of Simon's favourite recipes.

10:35 Book review: Nina Simone's Gum by Warren Ellis

Sonja de Friez reviews Nina Simone's Gum by Warren Ellis

10:45 The Reading

John Ewen's short story 'The Last To Know'  read by Tina Cook. 

11:05 Political commentators Gareth Hughes & Brigitte Morten

Gareth, Brigitte and Kathryn talk about how the Hamilton byelection is an unwelcome litmus test for Labour, the Government's decision to dump its Covid powers and a possible Royal Commission into the Covid response. The economic hangover continues, could National's social investment proposal work and the PM has met with Auckland's new mayor .

Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa. 

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. 

11:25  Business commentator Pattrick Smellie

The age of free trade agreements is over - could this be a blessing in disguise for NZ producers? And could Auckland Mayor, Wayne Brown inadvertently stiffen the government's spine on 3 waters.

Pattrick Smellie is the editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported on the New Zealand economy and business since 1983.

11:45 Media commentator Andrew Holden

Andrew says the pressure points for private media companies continue: Stuff is re-arranging its smallest newsrooms to create a regional breaking-news team, which may end up meaning job cuts. And the price of newsprint continues to rise, up 20-30 per cent in the past year. And National says it will de-merger TVNZ and RNZ if it wins the election in a year's time. How would those involved in the new public media organisation create a success if that's hanging over their heads?. Also, the BBC turns 100.

Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne. 

 

Music played in this show

Track: Two Free Hands 
Artist: Anthonie Tonnon
Time played:  9:30am 

Track: Arjuna Oakes
Artist:  Flavour 
Time played: 10:05am 

Track: Feeling Good 
Artist: Nina Simone 
Time played: 10:45am