Nine To Noon for Monday 14 July 2025

09:05 Many builders unprepared to run a complex business: sector groups want change

Many builders are underprepared to manage the challenges of running a businesses and need to be taught more skills,  according to some in the sector, who are calling for change. Research shows that suicide rates in the industry are 25 percent higher than other sectors, with Māori, Pasifika, women, migrant workers, apprentices and labourers among those most at risk. Master Builders and the mentoring service The Professional Builder, say there are many builders coming through who are technically competant, but struggle with financial literacy, pricing, contracts, cash flow and IT. They say this is contributing to poor mental health in the sector. Kathryn speaks with Marti Amos, founder of The Professional Builder,  Master Builders Chief Executive Ankit Sharma and Greg Durkin, Director of the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation. 

09:30 The prevalence of multiple sclerosis has risen sharply - what's behind it?

A new study has found the prevalence of multiple sclerosis rose by a third between 2006 and 2022. The University of Auckland study used Stats NZ data and included anonymous data from hospitalisations, disability support, pharmaceutical dispensing of MS treatments and needs assessments. It found that the MS prevalence rate had risen to 96.6 per 100,000 people as of June 2022, up from 72.4 in 100,000 in 2006. Maori, Pasifika and Asian rates rose even more sharply. The study has recently been published in the Medical Journal. Kathryn speaks with the report's co-investigator Vanessa Selak, Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Auckland University.

09:45 Europe: Srebrencia remembered, UK-France migrant deal examined

Foreign correspondent Seamus Kearney talks about commemorations in Bosnia-Herzegovina to mark 30 years since the Srebrenica massacre, the worst atrocity in Europe since WWII. The European Commission is seeking more information about a controversial migrant deal struck between the UK and France. And EU officials have been taken by surprise over US President Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs on EU goods.

10:05 Amid a changing world and the AI revolution - how can the education system keep up?

In a world that seems to be constantly changing - what and how should children be learning? It's a question that educators around the world are grappling with, particularly as artificial intelligence cements itself in the learning landscape. Paul Ellis is at the forefront of these challenges, as Head of Thought Leadership for Education Futures at Cambridge University Press and Assessment. His focus is on helping schools work out how best to arm their students with what they need now, and into the future. He says climate change and environmental challenges is one area that will become more important for students to navigate - and should be brought out from under the science umbrella to other parts of the curriculum. He also believes global perspectives can help with understanding geopolitical problems, and there's a need for educators to strike a balance giving students a good foundation of knowledge - along with the skills to use it.

10:35 Book review: Sick Power Trip by Erik Kennedy

Airini Beautrais reviews Sick Power Trip by Erik Kennedy, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu: RNZ's Taranaki reporter, Robin Martin

Robin discusses weather impacts in his area, a potentially expensive mistake arorund GST and the fate of a giant  pōhutukawa.

11:05 Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Lianne Dalziel 

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, consultant and director of several companies. He is currently the Campaign Director for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. 

Lianne Dalziel is a life member of the Labour Party and a former MP and Cabinet Minister. She ran as an independent for Christchurch's mayoralty in 2013 and was the city's mayor for three terms. She writes a regular column for Newsroom.co.nz.

11:30 Chef Wendy Morgan's best classic recipes

Wendy Morgan is a qualified chef and Cordon Bleu cook who has worked in the food industry for over thirty-five years, and ran Wellington restaurant Citron for many years. In addition to her Who Made All the Pies? book, she's back with another called Comfort Cooking: Enough for leftovers and lazy days in Kiwi homes. There's everything from fluffy yoghurt flatbreads and herby dinner rolls to crumbed lamb cutlets, mousetraps and hearty soups. Wendy says this book is a nod to her mother, who ran a bakery with her dad and loved nothing more than feeding people.

11:45 Kennedy Warne: Moa de-extinction - how would it fit with conservation?

Outdoorsman Kennedy Warne joins Kathryn to talk about plans by Colossal Biosciences to try to bring the moa back from extinction. Could it be done, how successful have the company's previous efforts been and what would any return of the moa mean for New Zealand's environment? Kennedy also pays tribute to a friend, Tim Higham, who spent years looking after Aotea Great Barrier Island.