Nine To Noon for Thursday 6 July 2023

 

 

0905: Worried mums-to-be launch petition to save South Auckland birthing centre

Just five years after opening, Mangere's Nga Hau Birthing Centre could be closed due to a lack of funds. The prospect has led more than 5000 concerned mothers-to-be and women who have given birth there to petition the government and Te Whatu Ora to help step in. The primary birthing unit has been funded by the Wright Foundation up until now, but the charity now says it needs public funding to keep it open. The majority of women giving birth there are Māori or Pasifika, and the petition highlights the important role the centre plays in the community. Te Whatu Ora says there are three other birthing units accessible to those in the region, as well as Middlemore Hospital. Kathryn speaks with Rebecca Kingi who recently gave birth there who says it's the only local unit and is desperately needed.

09:20 Farmers frustrated as synthetic carpet to be installed in 600 rural schools

A Government decision to fit more than 600 rural schools with synthetic carpet is drawing the ire of many farmers. They'll be sourced from US-based company Milliken. It's left many wondering why officials haven't opted for locally sourced wool carpets, especially given the raft of climate regulations agriculture now has to meet. But the Ministry of Education says the carpet tiles are completely recyclable, and also - crucially - meet the fire requirements of the Building Code. Kathryn speaks to Wools in Schools NZ campaigner Tom O'Sullivan, and Ministry head of capital works Sam Fowler

 

09:30 Is science education dying?

A high school teacher is warning science education is in decline, with not enough specialist teachers, or support for the subject from the Ministry of Education. Dr Andrew Rogers is the head of the chemistry department at St Peter's College in Auckland. He says the subject is becoming watered down, and some schools are avoiding teaching the more difficult NCEA science standards or discouraging students from sitting exams if they have enough credits.  New Zealand's international PISA results, particularly for maths and science, have been in decline for at least the last 10 years. Kathryn speaks with Dr Andrew Rogers, who is also the chair of Science OlympiaNZ.

09:45 UK: NHS turns 75, King's Scottish coronation, Wimbledon protest

UK correspondent Harriet Line joins Kathryn to talk about the National Health System marking 75 years - amid warnings that unless there are drastic changes it might not make it to 100. The King and Queen were in Scotland for a special service where Charles was presented with the symbols of his authority there. And three Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested after their activities stopped play during the third day of Wimbledon.

10:05 How to apologise well

 A heartfelt apology can go a long way, but getting it right seems impossible for many people. Whether it's a politician passing off blame, the classic 'I'm sorry, but', or the YouTube star who last month sang her apology with a ukelele. Longtime journalists and friends in the US, Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy, launched sorrywatch.com in 2012. It's a website dedicated to analysing apologies - or the lack-of - across the news, history and culture. The pair have learned enough over the past decade to launch a book on the matter: 'Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, The Case for Good Apologies'.

10:35 Book review: Traced by Catherine Jinks

Catriona Ferguson reviews Traced by Catherine Jinks, published by Text Publishing

10:45 Around the motu : Georgina Campbell in Wellington 

Wellington Mayor, Tory Whanau's tipsy Friday night has resulted in the restaurant she dined at facing backlash over the incident, but its owner is unfazed.  An investigation has been launched after Wellington City Council committed a "serious harm data breach" by releasing personal details of people involved in road crashes including some names and medical details. And some Wellingtonians may face boil water notices this summer.

NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell

11:05 Tech: Zuckerberg to launch 'Twitter killer' as Metaverse flops, China-US chip war

Technology journalist Bill Bennett joins Kathryn to look at the madness happening Twitter, with limits now imposed on how many tweets users can see. What impact will that have on advertising? It comes as Mark Zuckerberg gets set to launch his network to rival Twitter called Threads. The Meta founder needs a win, after his failed US$14b punt on the Metaverse. And we look at the latest battles in the semi-conductor chip war, as China looks to impose export restrictions on two key metals needed for chip manufacture and the US introduces sanctions on chip technology.

11:25 How do principals view their work?

Dr Mohamed Alansari, senior researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research is back on Nine to Noon to share findings from a report looking at how principals view their work. More than 3,645 teachers from 223 schools were surveyed, along with 227 primary and secondary principals. 

11:45 Screentime: Black Mirror s6, Jury Duty, Marcell the Shell with Shoes On

Film and TV reviewer Chris Schulz joins Kathryn to look at the latest season of dystopian tech drama Black Mirror, Jury Duty (Prime Video), which has been touted as a real-life Truman Show where every jury member on a fake trial is an actor - except one. And Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (Neon) is the school holiday movie for the kids that everyone needs to watch.