Nine To Noon for Monday 13 March 2023

09:05 Auckland transport woes - 'call it a crisis because that's what it is'

An Auckland public transport group says the situation with the city's transport network has tipped into a full-blown crisis and should be treated like one. Thousands of buses are being cancelled each week, ferry and train services have been reduced and there's traffic gridlock. Auckland Transport says it's been the busiest two weeks on public transport since Covid and progress is being made on the bus driver shortage. But the group Greater Auckland says with AT facing a Council cost-saving drive, and the lack of a clear strategy, it's unlikely frustrated commuters will see improvement any time soon. Kathryn speaks to Greater Auckland's Matt Lowrie and AT's Metro Services Group Manager Darek Koper.

09:25 Silicon Valley Bank: Regulators race to stop contagion 

US regulators have shut down a major bank and taken control of its customer deposits in the largest failure of a US bank since 2008. Silicon Valley Bank, a key tech lender, was scrambling to raise money to plug a loss from the sale of assets affected by higher interest rates. Its troubles prompted a rush of customer withdrawals and sparked fears about the state of the banking sector. New Zealand space company Rocket Lab, which is listed in the United States has $38 million, or 7.9 per cent, of its cash with the failed bank but says it is not facing a liquidity issue. Kathryn talks to Mayra Rodríguez Valladares,a financial risk consultant who trains bankers and regulators. 

09:35 Ban winter tyres: 'they're like being on rollerskates'

A car seller who sold a vehicle later involved in a fatal crash has joined the call for a ban on winter tyres in New Zealand. Coroner Heather McKenzie has found the under-performance of winter tyres - or snow tyres - may have contributed to a 21 year old driver losing control of her car in fatal crash on the Napier Taupo Road in 2020. Hawkes Bay used-vehicle salesman George Masters, who fitted those tyres, now says there is no place for them in NZ, and that drivers might as well be putting roller skates on. Snow tyres are legal, they have deep tread and are made of a soft rubber to give extra grip on ice and snow. But Waka Kotahi cautions winter tyres provide less grip than summer tyres in most conditions - and to beware of older 'new' or used winter tyres. Kathryn speaks with George Masters and Terry Collins, principal adviser in the transport policy and advocacy team with the AA.

09:45 Europe: Migrant crossing spotlight, appeal for donors in quake-hit Turkey

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney joins Kathryn to look at the first face-to-face summit between the French and British leaders in five years, as  Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron put the spotlight on migration. London has agreed to up the amount it pays Paris to patrol Normandy beaches to prevent migrants from setting off across the English Channel in small boats, but President Macron refused to address the UK's demand that asylum seekers arriving in the UK be sent back to France. Meanwhile $100 billion may be needed to repair the damage from the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkey five weeks ago, with a major donor drive now underway.

10:05 How lifestyle choices in midlife can reduce dementia risk

 Australian GP Dr Ginni Mansberg is interested in demystifying health and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. She says there are some simple steps people can take in their 40's and 50's which may help to reduce cognitive decline as you age. Dr Mansberg is the author of the bestselling book, The M Word, How to Thrive in Menopause and she is the co-founder of the Asia Pacific HPV Coalition. She has a particular interest in women's health and says women are overrepresented in dementia statistics. Her latest book, Save Your Brain includes strategies aimed at staving off, or preventing cognitive impairment.
 

10:35 Book review: The South Island of New Zealand from the Road by Robin Morrison

Paul Diamond reviews The South Island of New Zealand from the Road by Robin Morrison, published by Massey University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Todd Niall in Auckland

Todd has the latest on Auckland's weather emergency recovery, with the large and popular west coast community of Muriwai remaining a no-go zone with months of uncertainty for many on whether their homes have a future. Authorities are working on the longer term cost and impact, such as the $250m bill Watercare expects to face in restoring its networks. Also, Auckland Council is putting the brakes on immediate spending as it grinds through the process of trying to close a $295m deficit next year.

Todd Niall is Stuff's Senior Auckland Affairs Journalist

11:05 Political commentators Lamia Imam & Brigitte Morten

Lamia and Brigitte join Kathryn to talk about the latest polling, with a particular focus on how the smaller parties are faring. What are the strategies and position of the minor parties in election, and is there a squeeze on as National and Labour solidify their places in the mid-30s? They'll also discuss the Government's transport plan U-turn and the upcoming teachers strike.

Lamia Imam worked for two years for the Labour Party in the Leader of the Opposition's office under Phil Goff and David Shearer. She also worked for the Ministry of Justice, before gaining a Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. She currently works for a large technology company in Wellington.

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 Spice up their lunch box

Midway through the term the school lunchbox ideas might have run down to a marmite sandwich, chips and some fruit. Chief eating officer at Dolly Mumma, Perzen Patel joins Kathryn with tips to top up the ideas' bank with peppy pre-prepped lunches from all corners of the world.

11:45 Curtains are crucial; law change to put curtains in rentals

Urban issues correspondent Bill McKay joins Kathryn to talk about a bid by MP Helen White and Habitat for Humanity to require curtains in rental properties - something not currently required by law. Bill says the Health Homes standards has seen a big push in rentals to insulate and install heating - but there's not much point if there's no adequate curtains and heat escapes through the windows.

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

Music played in this show

Track: Theme from Shaft
Artist: Isaac Hayes
Time Played: 10.33

Track: Naatu Naatu
Artist: Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava
Time Played: 10:35