Nine To Noon for Monday 19 December 2022

 

 

09:05  Posted medical referral letters arriving too late for appointments - what's the solution ? 

There are calls for a shift to specialist medical appointments being sent electronically, following concerns patients are receiving letters too late to get to appointments.Last week we heard how New Zealand Post outlets ran out of both local and international stamps - right as the Christmas rush hits. The Postal Workers Union says the shortage of stamps is symptomatic of a broken system, generally unable to deliver on the government's three-day delivery target. We had a lot of feedback from listeners, including how patients on the West Coast have missed hospital appointments because of the late arrival of their confirmation letter. To discuss the issue, Westland District Mayor Helen Lash, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton, who is calling for appointments to be emailed, and the Chair of Hauora Taiwhenua - Rural Health Network, Fiona Bolden, who says rural residents are no strangers to getting correspondence late and there needs to be multi-pronged action to deal with the problem.

 

09:30 A year of change for the Royal Family

It's been a rough year for the British Royal Family, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth. King Charles has stepped out of his mother's shadow at the age of 74 to make his own way as monarch - but after such a long time as heir, what kind of direction will he take? The year began well for the royal family and the Queen's joyful Platinum Jubilee celebrations were marred only by her absence from some public appearances. Her ill health continued though, and her death in September - while not a surprise - still came as a shock and great sadness around the world. Since then there's been further woe for the royal family - the resignation of the late Queen's lady-in-waiting and Prince Williams godmother over racist remarks to a black charity worker. And most recently the release of a new Netflix documentary series by Harry and Meghan. Royal biographer Robert Hardman joins Kathryn to make sense of it all.

09:40 Off to Qatar for the immediate aftermath of the FIFA World Cup decider

It's only a couple of hours since the nail-biting finish to the World Cup France versus Argentina match. Sport correspondent, Coen Lammers is in Doha, where Argentina are the football champions of the world for the third time.They triumphed over defenders France 4-2 on penalties.The tournament has been one of the most controversial in World Cup history with corruption allegations plagued the selection process, human rights issues plagued the build up to the tournament, and even the move to December, rather than the traditional June - July tournament, had fans furious.

 

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

Seamus reports from a national in mourning with the French beaten in the FIFA World Cup final by Argentina in extra time. In what had been described as a clash of the Titans, France was hoping to score a second consecutive world cup win. French President Macron was at the match, his second time in Qatar in a week. His visits come amid the growing corruption scandal involving the Gulf state at the European Parliament, where all work on files involving Qatar have been suspended. Also, Judges in Brussels have ruled that four people arrested as part of the EU Parliament corruption scandal are to remain in custody. 
 

10:05 Kendra Cocksedge on hanging up her rugby boots

Taranaki halfback Kendra Cocksedge started playing rugby as a four year old and retired after last month's Black Ferns' win against England - her third victorious World Cup. Her successes are many: she holds the record for the most first class points in women's rugby, with 1378 in 148 games - she was the first, and so far only player to pass 1000 points. She's the most-capped Black Fern; World Rugby Women's Player of the Year in 2015 and in 2018 became the first female player to win the Kel Tremain Memorial Trophy for New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year. She joins Kathryn to talk about how it was a cricket scholarship that would kick off her professional rugby career.

10:30 Around the motu : Mary Argue in Wairarapa

Mary talks about the precarious nature of aged-care facilities, as a South Wairarapra retirement village on the brink of closure has been just been saved. Also a fentanyl investigation in Wairarapa, Masterton's beleaguered civic facility project, and the region's line-up of summer activities.
 

10:35 Book Review: Bournville by Jonathan Coe

Ralph McAllister reviews Bournville by Jonathan Coe, published by Penguin

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Political commentators Hughes & Sherson

Gareth, Trish and Kathryn discuss the pressure the Government is under with a looming reset and MP resignations. Also changes in immigration policy for teachers and nurses, inflation and the domestic and international factors driving it, the rise of smaller parties and a look at the cracks exposed by the Covid years in health, education and crime.

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

Trish Sherson is from corporate affairs firm Sherson Willis, and a former ACT press secretary. 
 

11:30 Festive feasting on fewer dollars

 

It's been a hard year for many New Zealanders, particularly with grocery prices soaring. Budget food blogger Kathrine Lynch has dollar stretching ideas for a hearty Christmas meal for 8-10 people for under 200 dollars. The menu includes range of sides, a couple of desserts, chicken and a Christmas ham.

 

11:45 Urbanism and better initiatives in public engagement
 

Bill McKay talks to Kathryn about architecture and three events which have promoted more public discussion about the built environment. He says all good in their own ways but all quite different, so an exploration of the pros and cons.

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