Nine To Noon for Wednesday 7 May 2025

09:05 Auckland supercity 15 years on: success or failure?

Many Aucklanders say the supercity model has failed, with progress on delivering transport and infrastructure and solutions a particular sticking point for residents according to new research from Auckland University. The findings come as Auckland leaders gather to examine the region's progress since the creation of the supercity 15 years ago. The survey shows Aucklanders overwhelmingly support a long-term infrastructure plan, and there is near-universal agreement on protecting the natural environment.  However only half  of those surveyed said the amalgamation had succeeded in unifying Auckland's voice, and just 18 percent feel they have influence over Auckland Council decisions.  The consulting firm Deloitte has produced two of three annual State of the City reports which benchmark Auckland against similar cities globally. Deloitte NZ Chief Executive Mike Horne says it's clear the city is falling behind.

09:20 Insurers concerned over rise in lithium-ion battery fires 

Insurers are increasingly concerned about lithium-ion battery fires and what they may mean for home, contents and motor vehicle policies. Data from insurance firm AMI shows a 17 per cent rise in battery fires year-on-year,  with half beginning when the device was not in use. Most laptops, mobile phones, e-bikes, e-scooters, power banks and power tools contain lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are most common in rechargeable devices. Most plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles also use lithium-ion batteries. This week, Auckland recycling firm Simsmetal Industries was fined $30,000 after a fire at a scrap metal yard in 2023 caused by a lithium-ion battery. In Western Australia, an average of three house fires a week are caused by the batteries exploding, and a growing number of Australian apartment buildings are banning electric vehicles due to fire-risk concerns. Australian insurers, many of which are the same companies that operate in New Zealand, have said while there are no immediate plans to charge higher premiums for households with the batteries, or to try to restrict their use, they are deeply concerned. Sarah-Jane Knox is then Consumer Affairs manager at the Insurance Council of New Zealand.

09.30 Police officer maps all lost people

A police officer has launched a map of missing people he hopes will help reunite families with their loved ones' remains. There are more than 500 people missing and presumed dead around the country, and Senior Constable Carlos Spencer considered that as land changes in places like Aoraki/Mt Cook, bodies of long-missing people may start to turn up and a map would help with identification. On that mountain alone, there are 58 people recorded missing. A member of Canterbury's Search and Rescue team for more than 15 years, Senior Constable Spencer is often the one liaising with families looking for missing loved ones. He says these families led to him to create the interactive map. 

09:45 Australia correspondent Karen Middleton is a political journalist based in Canberra

Karen Middleton looks at the strategy behind the Labour victory in the Australian elections, the mushroom murder trail attracting international attention and NZ's former police chief, Mike Bush, is appointed Victoria's police commissioner.  

10:05 Equal Pay Amendment Bill debated under urgency

In parliament this morning, a controversial Equal Pay Amendment bill is being debated under urgency. The bill scraps all existing pay equity claims. Advocates who've worked for years on claims were blindsided by the government's lightning move yesterday. RNZ Political Editor Jo Moir speaks to Kathryn.

10:10 Glasgow comedian Rosco McClelland on following in Sir Billy's footsteps

It's not often you're labelled a 'slug nudger' from the Big Yin himself, but Rosco McClelland has had that honour. About six weeks ago the Scottish comedian won this year's Sir Billy Connolly Spirt of Glasgow Award. Sir Billy is, of course, the Big Yin - and has the final say on the award.  Like Sir Billy, Rosco's a native Glaswegian and was a tradie before getting into the comedy scene. It's taking him around the world - he's just finished at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He's bringing his show 'Sudden Death' to Auckland - it explores the questions of life and death - something that's not far from his mind - as he lives with Long QT Syndrome. He joins Kathryn to explain how performing could kill him.

10:30 Turning a talk-fest into action: what next for Auckland 

Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges speaks with Kathryn following an event this morning to discuss a strategy for the supercity. It comes 15 years since local councils amalgamated, with the promise of increased efficiencies and lower costs for ratepayers. But a recent survey shows residents aren't convinced the model has delivered. 

10:35 Book review: Te Moana o Reo: Ocean of Languages Edited by Michelle Elvy & Vaughan Rapatahana 

Elizabeth Heritage reviews Te Moana o Reo: Ocean of Languages Edited by Michelle Elvy & Vaughan Rapatahana published by The Cuba Press

10:45 Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham

Jimmy discusses staff safety fears at Palmerston North Hospital, the council is debating the future of selling sugary drinks at council venues, and the replacement highway over the Tararua range will be opening seven years after the old State Highway 3 closed.

Jimmy Ellingham is a RNZ Checkpoint reporter based in Palmerston North.

11:05 Music with Maggie Tweedie

To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, Maggie Tweedie spotlights local songs from Taonga pūoro band IA and Rei, Christchurch based jazz quartet Darren Pickering Small Worlds, followed by Chris Williams haunting single (slow) motion and London based New Zealander Arjuna Oakes. 

11:30 Kiwi author's Sherryl Jordan's final book reveals her methods - and her struggles

New Zealand author Sherryl Jordan's first published book was actually the 13th she'd written: Rocco. She went on to publish a number of works for children and young adults, including The Juniper Game and The Raging Quiet. In her later life she suffered from Occupational Overuse Syndrome and was told to stop writing - which she thought was akin to being asked not to breathe. She was later diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Before her death in December 2023, she'd sent in her final book to publisher Louise Russell at Bateman Books - one that documented her writing journey and the challenges and triumphs along the way. She never knew it had been accepted for publication. Fellow author Tessa Duder joins Kathryn to talk about Sherryl Jordan's remarkable writing ability and her last book, Descending Fire.

11:45 Technology with Allan Blackman, Professor in Chemistry at Auckland University of Technology

A Soviet era space probe is expected to crash back to earth this month and how do they colour the smoke after voting in the Conclave.