Nine To Noon for Thursday 14 September 2023

 

 

09:05 Nationals foreign buyers tax numbers "not credible": economists

Economists analysing National's foreign buyers tax have found it would likely only raise $210 million a year, falling well short of the $740 million a year National had forecast. A more generous "higher-end estimate" puts this figure at $290 million in revenue. The National Party has refused to release the modelling behind its tax plan, despite being challenged on the large sums it expects it to generate, in order to help find its tax package. Economists Michael Reddell and Sam Warburton, along with CoreLogic's head of research Nick Goodall, have today released their own analysis using data from Stats NZ, real estate data from Corelogic, and the information National has so far publicly revealed about its policy. Kathryn speaks with Sam Warburton and Nick Goodall.

09:25 Who teaches our teachers ?

Are our teachers getting the best education, before getting in front of the classroom? A new report by the think tank The New Zealand Initiative says the current university model of teacher education has major flaws. These include an insufficient focus on the science of learning; too little practical classroom experience for trainee teachers; inconsistent mentoring of trainees and poor preparation of primary teachers to teach across the curriculum, especially in mathematics and science. Kathryn speaks with report co-author Michael Johnston, former Victoria University Associate Dean, former Senior Statistician at the Qualifications Authority, now Senior Research Fellow at the New Zealand Initiative.

09:35 Tiny chips at the centre of giant geopolitical tensions

Semiconductors or "chips" are the brains behind all modern technology, used in everything from smart phones, to kitchen appliances, cars, medical equipment, and defence intelligence. Over 90 percent of the most advanced chips globally, are manufactured in Taiwan, with  half made by just one company, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC.  Economic historian Chris Miller is the author of the Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology.  He says Taiwan is also at the centre of one of the biggest geopolitical struggles of our time, with China's ongoing and increasingly aggressive demands for reunification.

09:45 UK correspondent Matthew Parris

A British parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of being a ‘Chinese spy’ in March has been unveiled as Chris Cash, a 28-year-old who reportedly has links with many Tory MPs. The history graduate has released a statement through his lawyers insisting he is "completely innocent". Matthew Parris tells Kathryn how 'spy-mania' is sweeping UK media. And, a sketch of the Dover coast drawn by landscape painter John Constable more than 200 years ago is going up for auction. It was found in a suitcase during a house clearance.

10:05 Memoir explores Andrew Leland's slow transition blindness

Andrew Leland first realised he had trouble with his vision when he was in high school, and he particularly struggled to see in the dark. By the time he was 19, he had been diagnosed with a degenerative retinal disease called retinitis pigmentosa. The diagnosis meant he would gradually lose his vision from the outside in, similar to looking through an ever smaller tube. Andrew Leland is now in his 40s, and is adapting to life with currently about six percent of his visual field remaining. It's been a major, if slow transition from full vision to what will eventually be near-total sightlessness. He's shared his story in a new memoir The Country of the Blind, which weaves his own, deeply personal experience grappling with his new life, into a cultural history of blindness. Andrew Leland speaks to Kathryn from his home in Western Massachusetts. 

10:30 Water outage in Wellington

A large portion of Wellington's CBD is without water because a water pipe has burst. The outage is affecting at least 100 properties across Customhouse Quay, Waterloo Quay and the streets surrounding the area. Wellington Water says three water tankers are at Hunter, Waring Taylor and Lady Elizabeth Lane on the waterfront. It hopes to have water supply back on by the middle of the day. RNZ's Krystal Gibbons is on the waterfront.

10:35 Book review: Gonzo Capitalism by Chris Guillebeau

Quentin Johnson reviews Gonzo Capitalism by Chris Guillebeau published by Macmillan

10:45 Around the motu: Diane McCarthy in Whakatane

Diane McCarthy is in Whakatane, where Ōpōtiki boaties will be holding their breath for excellent conditions tomorrow as the new harbour channel opens to recreational boats. From noon, limited access to the new harbour is available to recreational boats only. Prior to the opening, which is weather dependent, a boat will be taking some VIPs through the entrance to celebrate the accomplishment. 

11:05 New technology with Bill Bennett

Apple has unveiled its iPhone 15 at a time the phone market is in turmoil. The International Data Corporation reports a 12.1% year-on-year decline in New Zealand phone shipments for the second quarter of 2023. It is the third quarter in a row that numbers have declined. As Bill Bennett explains, the usual suspects are weak consumer demand and tough economic conditions.

11:25 Psychiatrist and comedian Jo Prendergast on parenting teens through tough times

She's a psychiatrist by day, and a stand-up comedian by night - but parenting has been her toughest gig yet. Dr Jo Prendergast has written a how-to parenting guide called 'When Life Sucks'. It offers practical tools to help you support your teen towards a healthy headspace covering everything from eating difficulties to gender identity. She spoke with Kathryn about parenting teens through tough times. 

11:45 Screentime: Painkiller, One Piece and 9-5ers

Film and TV reviewer Laumata Lauano discusses about Painkiller, and One Piece - a live action adaptation of the global phenomenon anime on Netflix -as well as a TikTok series called 9-5ers starring a number of Kiwi tiktokers.

Music played in this show

Track: I Got To Be Real
Artist: Cheryl Lynn
Time played: 11:48