Nine To Noon for Friday 30 May 2025

09:05 FENZ complaints system neither independent, nor fair: Union

The Professional Fire Fighters Union says Fire and Emergency's complaints system is neither independent, nor fair. FENZ has apologised unreservedly to a former volunteer firefighter for failing to properly investigate a series of complaints, which began nearly a decade ago. A scathing 111 page independent report by Simon Mount KC, issued yesterday, details a list of 33 failings by FENZ in handling her initial complaint and several after that. These include failure to comply with its own processes, conflicts of interest, and unreasonable delays, and a failure to learn from at least two previous, highly critical external reviews. FENZ Chief Executive & National Commander Kerry Gregory says significant changes to how complaints are managed have been made including introducing an independent service that specialises in conflict resolution and complaint management. He says the complaints service puts people at the heart of the investigation and is robust and transparent. But the Professional Firefighters Union, which represents more than two thousand paid firefighters, disagrees. Union Secretary Wattie Watson joins Susie.

09:20 Study finds link between low Vitamin D in babies and mental disorders

Babies born with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop mental disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism later in life, according to a new study from the University of Queensland. Researchers analysed data from over 71,000 people, many of whom had a mental health disorder diagnosed during childhood and early adulthood.  Professor John McGrath from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute led the study and says they found evidence that people with lower vitamin D concentration as a baby had an increased risk of schizophrenia, ASD and ADHD.

9:35 Government goes for gas stake

What will the Government achieve by setting aside $200 million to try and get a small stake in a new offshore gas field? Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones announced the move in the budget last week saying the Crown would take a 10 to 15 per cent stake in a new gas field to help feed the domestic market. While electricity generators have purchased gas from the country's biggest user, Methanex, for domestic supply,  other gas users such as schools and hospitals are unable to get supply contracts of more than a year, and prices are going up for everyone. But new gas fields are a huge investment, and the sector has struggled to meet demand.  Mac Beggs has worked on oil and gas exploration for decades in New Zealand - he says there are two, maybe three wells that have potential. 

09:45 Asia correspondent Ed White

Shanghai-based Financial Times correspondent discusses events in Myanmar, South Korea, and Narendra Modi who is ramping up efforts to negotiate with Washington over trade in a bid to stop India-US ties going the way of China.

10:05 How we make things - and how we could do it better

All our needs and wants - almost every aspect of our lives in fact - support a global manufacturing system that operates 24/7 to make - and to bring us - pretty much everything we could possibly wish for. But have you ever wondered how all of that actually happens? And if we are serious about a sustainable future, what choices we really should be making now. Tim Minshall is the University of Cambridge's first Professor of Innovation and author of Your Life Is Manufactured. He explains to Susie Ferguson why understanding how things are made and the consequences of your decision to buy them could become your new superpower!  

10:35 Book review: Gabriele by Anne Berest and Claire Berest 

Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore reviews Gabriele by Anne Berest and Claire Berest published by Europa Editions

10:45 Around the motu: Robin Martin in Taranaki

Robin discusses the latest events in Taranaki including a new high-spec Pouakai Hut replacement built to withstand extreme winds, there has been a funding boost for the Taranaki Base Hospital redevelopment, and the Mt Messenger bypass excavation has reached about 50 metres in to the 235 metre tunnel and they aim to break through the other end by November.

Robin Martin is a RNZ reporter based in Taranaki 

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Nineteen long years after their 2006 classic Hello, Are You There?, Auckland quartet Voom finally released a follow-up this month. We'll hear two key tracks from that today, followed by a gorgeous new song from Ladi6 and some trippy cosmic Cuban funk from Dan Tyler and Juan Pablo Torres. 

11:30 Sports commentator Dana Johanssen

Dame Lydia Ko has her first shot at a career grand slam this weekend; Rowing NZ has launched an independent inquiry into a recent tour to the US after member of the elite squad missed his flight home because he was in police custody; and the findings of an independent review into Sport NZ were released this week.

11:45 The week that was with Irene Pink and Te Radar

This week, our comedians Te Radar and Irene Pink discuss a horticultural initiative which is set to transform New Zealand into a commercial catnip producer, and Turkey, which will now fine plane passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts before the plane stops.