Nine To Noon for Wednesday 15 March 2023

 

09:05 SVB collapse: What protection is there for Kiwi financial institutions?

After the rapid collapse of Silicon Valley and Signature Banks in the US this week - how much protection is there in this country for depositors? A bill before parliament could create an insurance scheme to compensate those who lose money in the event of their bank, credit union, building society or finance company collapsing. It would cover depositors for a total of $100k per institution, per depositor. The NZ Banking Association argues that it would require banks to almost double the capital they hold, and that New Zealand banks routinely pass the Reserve Bank's severe stress testing scenarios. Could the collapse of the US banks this week change things? Kathryn discusses with John Kensington, head of banking at KPMG.

09:30 Drug company influence on doctors - should we be worried?

Doctors and nurses were paid almost half a million dollars from drug companies in the form of gifts, travel and sponsorship during 2021, according to a Stuff analysis of data provided to Medicines NZ. It's the first time pharmaceutical companies have publicly reported their financial relationship with individual New Zealand health professionals. Research shows drug company gifts and payments can influence prescribing and in the wake of the role big pharma played in the US opioid crisis, there has been an international push for more transparency. But the information given to Medicines NZ is far from comprehensive and not all companies handed over their data. So do we really have a true picture of their influence and the payments being made? Kathryn speaks to the Chief Executive of Medicines NZ, Dr Graeme Jarvis and Associate Professor of psychological medicine at Auckland University David Menkes.

09:40 Stormy leather: Turtle pair's incredible journey through Cyclone Gabrielle

As Cyclone Gabrielle bore down on New Zealand, two would-be visitors to the south Pacific were forced to make an emergency detour. The leatherback turtles' journey was being monitored via satellite and the pair - Solo and Lady Maga - were seen to make an easterly turn to ride out the storm. Solo is now by herself and headed for South Australia while Lady Maga has made it 4000km from her nesting ground in Solomon Islands to be 150km off the coast of New Zealand. Leatherbacks are critically endangered in the Western Pacific, and the nestng grounds are monitored and protected by The Nature Conservancy. The organisation's acting Solomon Islands Programme Director is Peter Waldie joins Kathryn to talk about efforts to protect the leatherback.

09:45 Australia: Details of Aukus revealed

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton joins Kathryn to talk about the Aukus submarine and defence technology details announced yesterday - including its $368b price tag over the next 30 years. It's the biggest spend in Australia's history, and will see the country buy at least 3 US Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines. 

10:05 Heat stress scale similar to a UV index could be lifesaving

As the world heats up, researchers in Australia have developed a heat stress scale to help people avoid the risk of health problems from heatwaves which are intensifying globally. Professor Ollie Jay is the director of the University of Sydney's Heat and Health Research Incubator, and he is leading the world-first project, in collaboration with the Sydney Environment Institute. The heat stress scale in conjunction with an accompanying app aims to help the public handle the heat and also minimise, or avoid, health risks arising from more frequent heatwaves. Professor Jay says his team is striving to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat across a person's lifespan - as the growing extremes of climate ultimately affect everyone

10:35 Book review: A Forager's Life by Helen Lehndorf

Airini Beautrais reviews A Forager's Life by Helen Lehndorf, published by HarperCollins NZ

10:45 Around the motu: Sam Olley in Te Tai Tokerau

One of the biggest news stories emerging in Northland over the past week has been a series of extremely divisive talks held opposing co-governance. At one of the meetings in Dargaville, police had to ask people to leave when arguments broke out. And there are more talks to come. Also Sam talks to Kathryn about the sudden liquidation of the company running a big-cat sanctuary and the risk of the animals being put down. And investigations are wrapping up one year on since the Enchanter fishing charter sank off North Cape.

11:05 Music with RNZ's Charlotte Ryan

Music 101 host Charlotte Ryan joins Kathryn to talk about what's on offer at this year's 20th anniversary of WOMAD in New Plymouth and play three tracks from artists featuring at this year's event.

11:20 The history of extremists in Aotearoa
 

Today is the fourth anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks, and The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand say the Muslim community is subject to more verbal abuse online than ever. Professor Paul Spoonley has spent four decades studying extremism in New Zealand. He is Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Honorary Research Associate in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey  University; co director of the research centre at Victoria University He Whenua Taurikura. He speaks with Kathryn about Histories of Hate:The Radical Right in Aotearoa New Zealand, a new book he has co-edited.

11:45 Personal finance: Getting on top of debt

The beginning of the year can be expensive, due to the high costs of getting kids back to school - uniforms, stationery and school fees - and it's also the time when the impact of Christmas debt kicks in, with credit and store card payments needing to be made to avoid paying interest. Money expert Liz Koh has some tips for getting rid of short term debt and actions you can take if you're struggling.

Liz Koh is director of Enrich Retirement. This discussion is of a general nature, and does not constitute financial advice.