Nine To Noon for Friday 10 May 2024

09:05 Cross party climate adapation inquiry announced

The Climate Change Minister, Simon Watts, has just announced a cross party inquiry will be conducted by the Finance and Expenditure Committee into climate adapation. In particular, how the state will share the costs of preparing the country for, and recovering from,  major weather events. The previous government had just launched a select committee inquiry into community led retreat and adapation funding before the last election. Labour and the Greens have welcomed the inquiry.  Simon Watts tells Kathryn Ryan broad agreement is vital to finding long lasting solutions and he's delighted to have cross party support for the inquiry.

09:15 Country comes through tight electricity supply

The country has come through a tight electricity generation supply situation this morning. National grid operator Transpower had to ask the public to conserve energy between 7am and 9am this morning because generators could not guarantee a supply that could meet demand. Several major power plants had outages for maintenance - taking out about 700MW of generation. Alison Andrew is chief executive of Transpower.

09:20 EU's Ambassador to NZ on the biggest challenges facing the Union

Europe Day is drawing to a close on a continent - once again been marked against the backdrop of Russia's war in Ukraine. Lawrence Meredith is the European Union's ambassador to New Zealand, taking up the post late last year. Before that he was director of a part of the European Commission that deals with the EU's neighbourhood and enlargement policies. Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine has heightened the urgency of some countries seeking entry into the EU. This month has also been significant for New Zealand's relationship with the European Union, with a Free Trade Agreement coming into force on May 1. Ambassador Meredith talks to Kathryn about the benefits of the deal for both parties. 

09:30 Truckies keen on hydrogen, but vehicle supply slow 

Last month, Hiringa Energy opened the country's first hydrogen network, running from South Auckland to Palmerston North. Hydrogen remains more expensive than diesel as a trucking fuel, and the cost of getting a hydrogen powered truck on the road is higher. But some transport businesses are beginning to make the investment -  such as HW Richardson in Invercargill, and the TR Group in Wellington.  Kathryn speaks with Andrew Clennett, Hiringa Energy's chief executive, and James Smith , general manager of policy and advocacy at the National Road Carriers Association.

09:45 Asia correspondent Ed White

Chinese president Xi Jinping has made his first trip to Europe since the Covid-19 pandemic, where he was met by varying receptions across different countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ramping up the rhetoric against Muslim people as he vies reelection. And a popular Hong Kong anthem has been banned for its ties to pro-democracy demonstrations.

Ed White is a correspondent for the Financial Times, based in Shanghai.

10:05 Single at 50: building a new life when your old one falls apart

Australian Jo Peck ran her own advertising agency for 35 years and was married for 25. Then everything changed. After celebrating her 60th birthday her husband announced he was in love with some else. Jo Peck has catalogued her experience and emotions in her memoir, Suddenly Single at Sixty. It also contains information about dealing with despair, divorce and dating.

10:35 Book review: The Mark by Fríða Ísberg 

Jessie Bray Sharpin reviews The Mark by Fríða Ísberg published by Text Publishing

10:45 Around the motu: Ellen Curnow in Westport 

The Buller District Council has started on what it calls a "once in a generation" master planning exercise. It is looking at Westport's environmental vulnerability but also social and economic factors. Reefton's Ziman House closed abruptly during Covid and it has now been confirmed permanent shut.  A large group of locals is protesting the closure. And Ellen talks to Kathryn about a couple of elderly local identities.

Ellen Curnow at Westport News reporter  - based in Westport   

11:05 New music with Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor brings a tune from Dua Lipa's third album which he says epitomises 'sad disco', Kamasi Washington delivers his most accessible set yet. There is also a tribute to music producer and audio engineer Steve Albini.

11:30 Sports commentator Dana Johannsen

Dana Johannsen has been investigating the tough selection standards New Zealand sets for its Olympic athletes. Is it helping, or harming, the country's medal prospects? And what impact could it have on athlete welfare - if they technically qualify, but still miss out?

11:45 The week that was with Te Radar and Pinky Agnew

Te Radar and Pinky Agnew bring the lighter moments of the week, including how a North Korean propaganda song became a Tiktok hit, and the political party in Germany calling for kebabs to be subsidised.