Nine To Noon for Friday 31 March 2023

 

09:05 Te Pukenga CEO on challenges for the mega-polytechnic

The country's mega-polytechnic Te Pukenga is facing budget blowouts and falling enrolments. Te Pūkenga came into existence on January the first, bringing together more than 16 individual polytechnics and most industry training organisations. But the organisation has forecast a deficit of about sixty-million-dollars and needs to cut as much as forty-million from its budget. The Auditor General's most recent report - released this week - says  "Te Pūkenga still cannot describe with certainty what it does, what it will do, how it will do it, and what assets, infrastructure, finances, and capabilities it needs." Kathryn speaks with Te Pukenga Chief Executive, Peter Winder.

 

09:30 Kiwi PPE-maker Eagle Protect on B Corp status and murky supply chains

This month marks 10 years since B Corporation made its New Zealand debut, with nearly 100 Kiwi companies having made the grade. The 'B' in the name stands for "beneficial" and certification relies on businesses being able to demonstrate a commitment to operating in a way that benefits their workers, communities and the planet. New Zealand PPE-maker Eagle Protect was the first Kiwi company to achieve B Corp status.  It makes responsibly-sourced disposable gloves and protective clothing, and supplies about 80 percent of the primary food processing industry here. Part of its certification rests on efforts to create an ethical and transparent supply chain. The company recently released the results of a four-year study into glove contamination by US microbiologist Barry Michaels, which found half of disposable gloves carried faecal microbes in or on them when they came out of the box. Eagle Protect's co-founder and chief executive Steve Ardagh tells Kathryn more.

9:40 Gorse-busting: weeding a wetland paradise

Kathryn revisits a favourite West Coast conservation project with organiser Baz Hughes of Ōkārito Kayaks. Gorse-busting is in its third year at Ōkārito Lagoon. Sixty-five volunteers are nearing the end of a big week ripping the invasive weed out of the water.  By all accounts, the weather has been fantastic and the mood is high, especially after the huge thank-you feast there last night.

09:45 Asia correspondent Ed White

In India fears are rising that democracy is on the ropes amid the legal challenges and political downfall of longtime opposition leader Rahul Ghandi. Kim Jong Un finally appears to be moving toward a slow reopening of North Korea after more than three years of strict Covid controls, a move that could pave the way for a gradual international reengagement on nuclear talks. Xi Jinping's government is launching something a charm offensive, rolling out the red carpet to global business leaders and this week staging the return of Jack Ma to the mainland. But does this mean Xi's ruthless crackdowns on the Chinese business elite are really over? 

Ed White is a correspondent with the Financial Times.

10:05 Natalie Gauld : Adventuring after Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis

Natalie Gauld was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease a year ago, and she is determined to experience many of the country's Great Rides while she can. Dr Gauld has always fitted in lots of physical activity alongside a busy professional life and she biking adventures with her husband Matt are a great opportunity to raise money for  Motor Neurone Disease support and research. She was recognised in this year's New Years' honour for a lifetime of leadership in medicines reclassifications and has been at the forefront t of having many medicines reclassified so they can be dispensed in pharmacies - including oral contraceptives, and Viagra which is also known as Silvasta. Natalie Gauld is an honorary senior lecturer in pharmacy and paediatrics senior research fellow at the University of Auckland.
 

10:35 Book review: James K. Baxter: Complete Poems, edited by John Weir

Harry Ricketts reviews James K. Baxter: Complete Poems, edited by John Weir, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu : Samantha Gee in Nelson

Councils on either side of the Cook Strait are raising concerns with the government over the lack of support for vessels travelling between Wellington and Picton .Cancellations continue for those who were booked to travel on the Kaitaki - which has been out of service since for almost a month while its gearbox is repaired. On the West Coast, regional council chairman Allan Birchfield was outsed this week by his colleagues. A disconnect between the council and the chair of the West Coast regional council has been cited as one of the reasons he was voted out. Meanwhile - the mayors of the three district West Coast councils recently met with Local Government minister Kieran McAnulty to air their concerns over the impact of water reforms in some of the most isolated parts of the country. 

11:05 Trump indicted in Stormy Daniels case

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted over hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. It makes Mr Trump the first former US president to face criminal charges. A New York City grand jury voted to indict him on charges of falsifying business records relating to payments he made to Stormy Daniels to prevent her from revealing their affair ahead of the 2016 election. Kathryn speaks to Brent Budowsky, a political columnist for The Hill.

11:10 New music with Jeremy Taylor

A vast range of artists pay homage to the songs of Dolly Parton, Depeche Mode's best album in an age, and release day for Flying Nun's recent signing Vera Ellen.
 

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam looks into the headaches being caused behind the scenes and whether freedom of speech is being respected in world sport, and reaction to the claims super rugby is getting boring.
 

11:45 The week that was with

Comedians Elisabeth Easter and Donna Brookbanks with a few laughs