Nine To Noon for Thursday 28 September 2023

 

 

09:05 Gabrielle cleanup: Silt mountains, limited funds and dust warnings

An extra $10m is on its way to Hawke's Bay to help shift the silt dumped by Cyclone Gabrielle - but it's still not enough to get the job done. And additional funding comes as the region's health authorities warn residents to take care to avoid the silt dust being whipped up on windy days. The extra government cash will keep contractors working for the next four weeks; they had been asked by regional authorities to slow down what they were doing to make the budget stretch further. Over 900,000 cubic metres of sediment and debris has been shifted so far with another 1.2m to go. Kathryn speaks with Hawke's Bay Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby, Growers Association's General Manager Dean Smith and local Medical Officer of Health Dr Bridget Wilson about the ongoing risk the silt dust poses to residents' health.

09:25 Hold onto your hats, westerlies set to stay with El Niño

It's been a windy start to spring, but if you're sick of the westerlies you're out of luck. Not only are they expected to make a return over much of the North Island this weekend - they're also likely to be a feature of the incoming El Niño weather pattern. And forecasters say El Niño is likely to be one of the strongest in 80 years. For more on that, and what you can expect in your region, Chris Brandolino, Principal Scientist, Forecasting at NIWA joins the programme.

09:30 Concerns hype around Ozempic as weight loss tool pushing people into fad dieting

The global hype around diabetes drug Ozempic, as an appetite suppressant and weight loss tool, is driving people to source unproven and potentially unsafe alternatives. The drug is primarily used to regulate blood sugar for people with type 2 diabetes.. But its popularity among celebrities caused a spike in demand late last year, and a global shortage that is expected to last until the end of next year - creating problems for people who rely on it for their diabetes treatment. The hype is being blamed for rising demand for 'quick fix' weight loss alternatives. The US is experiencing a boost in demand for  shortage of several brands of laxatives, following a recent social media trend dubbing it "budget Ozempic". Natural supplement berberine is also rising in popularity, with some New Zealand health stores selling out in a day as interest spiked earlier this year. Kathryn speaks with nutritionist Anna Williams, and associate professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School Nial Wheate.

09:45 UK: Wootton suspended, oil-field consented

UK correspondent Harriet Line joins Kathryn to talk about New Zealand-born broadcaster Dan Wootton being suspended from right-wing channel GB News. That comes after comments made on his show by Laurence Fox about a female reporter. The government has given the greenlight to a North Sea oil field, prompting anger from environmental campaigners. Home Secretary Suella Braverman is facing criticism over her comments that asylum seekers pretend to be gay to "game the system".

10:05 Shannon Davis: How to balance food production and population expansion 

Housing and food security are at the forefront of issues for New Zealanders. Across the country hundreds and thousands of hectares of fertile land have been built upon as our cities have grown, rendering the land unusable for future food production. Late last year, the government released its National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land. Dr Shannon Davis is a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Planning at Lincoln University, she joins Kathryn and dives into the question: When vying for the same finite space - is it possible to have both housing and food production? 

10:35 Book review: Ngā Kupu Wero by Witi Ihimaera

Paul Diamond reviews Ngā Kupu Wero by Witi Ihimaera published by Penguin Random House.

10:45 Around the motu: Jonathan Leask in Ashburton

Mid Canterbury Local Democracy Reporter Jonathan Leask discusses the region's roads, which two thirds of Ashburton residents surveyed describe as their biggest gripe. However Key Research managing director Mike Hooker, who presented the results of the annual residents' survey, believes people are just choosing that as a default response. Also, the Tinwald Pool, which leaks 17,000 litres a day and has staffing issues, will remain closed while Council considers rebuild or restoration options.

11:05 Protestors head to Parliament
Around 600 people are taking part in a protest march through central Wellington. The group has just started marching to Parliament having had speeches at Wellington's Civic Square. The protest is being led by the Freedom and Rights Coalition. Concrete blocks and fencing are up in and around parliament's grounds, and some surrounding streets have been closed. Kathryn talks to reporter Lauren Crimp, who's at the Civic Square.

11:10 Tech: Cryptocurrencies inquiry report, AI biases - or human biases?

Technology commentator Alex Sims joins Nine to Noon to look at what the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee's inquiry into cryptocurrencies found in its report released last month. The inquiry was widened to include digital assets - of which cryptocurrencies is just one part. Alex covers off the key recommendations. She also looks at whether accusations of bias against AI is fair - or whether it just reflects our own in-built bias as humans.

Alex Sims is an Associate Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School and an expert on blockchain technology, copyright law and consumer law.

11:25 Navigating the tween years

The years between nine and 12 are a rapid period of development for any young person. Not quite a child, and not yet a teenager - the "tweens" can be tough to navigate for both youngsters and their parents. Michelle Mitchell is an educator, author and award-winning speaker, whose most recent book is all about tweens. She says before the full pressures of high school hit, parents have a window of opportunity that can change the trajectory of adolescence and beyond.
 

11:45 Screentime: Still Up, The Creator, Hypercinema

Film and TV correspondent Chris Schulz joins Kathryn to talk about insomnia comedy Still Up, sci-fi film The Creator - set against a backdrop of a future war between humans and forces of artificial intelligence, and HyperCinema - the AI art installation which lets guests be the star of the show.