Nine To Noon for Wednesday 30 July 2025

 

09:05 Year 14s ban proposed for all sport 

A blanket ban on Year 14 students competing in high school sport is at the heart of sweeping new eligibility rules being proposed by School Sport New Zealand.The national body, which governs secondary school sport in New Zealand, has just released its draft rules for 2026.Among the key changes is a rule proposing students who are returning for a sixth year of high school be ineligible to compete at top level sports events. The proposed changes also include stronger anti-poaching measures and strict guidelines on student transfers. Kathryn speaks with Chairperson of School Sport New Zealand Tim Grocott who says the rules are aimed at restoring integrity and fairness, and RNZ Sports Correspondent Dana Johannsen

09:25 How to support ageing, disabled loved ones to make their own decisions

Peoples' ability to make decisions can be affected by many things - including brain injury, dementia, learning disabilities, mental distress and neurodiversity. So how can family and friends support their loved ones - without taking over their ability to make decisions for themselves? A new website sponsored by the Ministry of Disabled People has been set up to help guide supported decision-making. It is called Whaimana and can be found at supportmydecisions.nz. Erika Butters, is the chair of the advisory group which set up the website, and she is a strategic advisor to The Personal Advocacy and Safeguarding Adults Trust.

09:35 The Primary Health Organisations joining forces to develop AI and digital systems for GPs 

Four of New Zealand's largest primary healthcare organisations have joined forces to create an innovation hub to develop and deploying digital solutions to improve patient care. Pegasus, Pinnacle, ProCare and Tū Ora Compass Health - which together representing more than 500 general practices - have launched a new company, Health Accelerator, with a stated aim to " help transform the future of primary care. Bindi Norwell is the co-chair at Health Accelerator, and also ProCare chief executive, and she says the group wants to improve clinical workflows and reduce the administrative workload so that doctors, nurses, and practice staff can focus on caring for their patients.

09:45 Australia: Ebike crackdown, YouTube kid ban, Signal exit threat

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton talks about why state governments are pushing for tighter regulation on electric bikes and scooters following a spate of deaths and injuries from battery fires and crashes. The government has decided to reverse a special exemption granted to YouTube that protected it from an incoming under-16 social media ban. Messaging app Signal is threatening to withdraw from Australia if the government continues to demand security agencies be able to access its content with a special warrant. 

10:05  The Auckland heart researcher with a love for vintage Land Rovers

Professor Julian Paton is a leading heart researcher and director of the University of Auckland Heart Research Centre, as well as the national Centre of Research Excellence, Pūtahi Manawa. His research focuses on the connections between the brain and the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.  Some of his discoveries have resulted in first-in-human trials for treating neurogenic hypertension, sleep apnoea and heart failure. In his spare time, Professor Paton restores and drives vintage Land Rovers, including the oldest Land Rover in the country - a 1948 Series I - nicknamed "20" after its serial number. Earlier this year he drove it from Dunedin to Auckland raising money for heart valve research to assist children with Rheumatic Heart Disease. Professor Paton tells Kathryn Ryan that 17 day trip has been life changing.

10:35 Book review: Sleep by Honor Jones

Lucy Black reviews Sleep by Honor Jones, published by Fourth Estate.

10:45 Around the motu: Jesse Archer in Taupō

Jesse reports on a meeting to approve an expanded Joint Management Agreement with the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, on going arguments about illegal encroachments into lakeshore reserves and on line fishing licences.

11:05 Music with Dave Wilson: How Wellington fosters new artists

Music commentator Dave Wilson joins Kathryn to look at how Wellington has been - and continues to be - a city that fosters a supportive environment for emerging bands and artists.

Dave Wilson is a saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and interdisciplinary scholar, a Senior Lecturer in Music at the New Zealand School of Music-Te Kōkī.

11:20 How to tackle the gigantic task of downsizing 

For many older people, moving out of the family home and downsizing - either to a smaller home or to a retirement village - is an overwhelming task. A lifetime of accumulated possessions - some precious, some not - but all needing sorting and most needing a new home. It can be a painful and emotional process, says Judy Thorpe, who founded Taskmasters in Wellington, and whose team around the North Island have helped thousands of older people downsize. She shares her advice and will take questions texted to 2101.

11:45 Science: Controversial study retracted, turn up for eggs, gold + fusion claims

Science correspondent Allan Blackman joins Kathryn to discuss how a 15-year-old study claiming that a microorganism can thrive on the toxic element arsenic has been retracted by the journal Science - why did chemists and biologists have their concerns about it? A new study turns claims of eggs' effect on cholesterol on its head and a start-up energy company Marathon Fusion claims it can turn an isotope of mercury into gold, while creating clean energy via nuclear fusion...

Allan Blackman is a Professor of Chemistry, School of Science, Auckland University of Technology