Nine To Noon

09:05 People's select committee releases report into pay equity changes

A report by 10 former MPs who investigated the government's changes to the pay equity law last year, describe the process as a `flagrant and significant abuse of power.' They found no evidence in the available Cabinet and Parliamentary documents, to support what they call the `demolition of the world's leading pay equity scheme'. The cross-party group of former MPs have run a so-called `People's Select Committee' ,  mimicking a Parliamentary process that did not happen when the government rushed through the law change under urgency. The ten former MPs received submissions, held public hearings, and read available information and documents. Their 174-page report, released this morning, says the retrospective cancellation of existing rights and remedies was a violation of the rule of law. And that the move breached a range of human rights legislation and conventions. It says employers, charitable organisations, and unions had spent millions of dollars on the 33 pay equity claims that were cancelled by the law change. Among the other recommendations, it calls for a repeal of the Pay Equity Amendment Act,  and for an independent pay equity unit to be established within the Ministry of Justice. The report is being launched at 10am , in event that will be live streamed. Committee members include former National MPs Jackie Blue and its chair Dame Marilyn Waring. 

In a statement, Minister for Workplace Relations Brooke van Velden said members of the public - including former MPs - were free to hold their own opinions and publish their own material. However, she says the pay equity system will remain. She says the new system is already processing claims under the new law. 

09:25 Concerns with 3G shutdown 

A digital equity advocate is worried many people will not understand what is required to keep connected after the 3G network is shut down. The network is partially closed now. 2Degrees has shut its network, One NZ is staggering its shutdown while Spark will shut all of its 3G network on March 31. This means some devices - not just phones - but also things like medical, security alarms and vehicle trackers will cease working with the network. Phone calls - including to 111 - will not work. To find out if your phone will work you can text '3G' to 550. Marie Silberstein from Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa has heard from many people surprised to find themselves in a position where their phone no longer functions.

09:35 Monster success: Kiwi costume designer Kate Hawley's Frankenstein BAFTA win

Kiwi costume designer Kate Hawley is flying home with a BAFTA, following her win at the Awards yesterday for her work on Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein. Earlier this month she spoke to Nine to Noon about her success this awards season - she's also up for an Oscar next month for her work on the same film. In January she took Best Costume Design at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and since we spoke to her she's also won an award for Excellence in Period Film from the Costume Designers Guild. The BAFTAs represent the biggest night on the British film calendar and are often a marker for success at the Oscars. Kate joins Kathryn from Heathrow.

09:45 USA correspondent David Smith 

The Supreme Court dealt President Trump a major blow by ruling his unilateral global tariffs unconstitutional, though the president has already vowed to bypass the decision using alternative trade laws. International tensions are peaking as a massive US naval force moves toward Iran following President Trump's threats of military action if a nuclear deal isn't reached within days. Domestically, the President faces further turbulence following a fatal security breach by an armed intruder at Mar-a-Lago and historically low approval ratings ahead of his upcoming State of the Union address.

David Smith is Washington bureau chief at The Guardian

10:05 M Gessen on Putin, Trump and making sense of the state of the world

Earlier this year the New York Times ran an opinion piece entitled "State Terror Has Arrived". It examined what was happening in the US city of Minneapolis, scene of the deaths of two anti-ICE protesters amid a massive immigration crackdown. It was penned by M Gessen, author of eleven books, including 'The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia' and 'The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin'. Nearly two years ago they were convicted and sentenced to eight years in jail for comments made about Russian atrocities in the Ukrainian town of Bucha. M Gessen has also written Surviving Autocracy - which looked at how democracy was tracking under the first Trump Administration. What lessons then, for surviving the second? M Gessen will be in New Zealand next month as part of a special Auckland Writers Festival event. The full festival takes place in May, and the programme for that will be announced on March 11.

10:30 The case for hiding on your age on CVs

10:35 Book review: The Art of Colonisation by Paul Moon

Harry Ricketts reviews The Art of Colonisation by Paul Moon, published by Ugly Hill Press.

10:45 Around the motu: Jared McCulloch in Queenstown

1News reporter Jared McCulloch looks at a rise in Queenstown tourism numbers and has an update on alternative transport in the area, as well as Wanaka's impact on the Winter Olympics and a local snail farm.

11:05 Business commentator Victoria Young

Xero looks to cut jobs, the latest on US President Donald Trump's tariffs, and Genesis' plans to raise $400m in capital. 

11:30 Belgian pianist Daniel Verstappen helps Aotea Youth Symphony turn 40

Daniel Verstappen is a Belgian pianist and composer known for blending classical music with a contemporary sound and sensibility. He's toured the world and has played with artists from Andrea Bocelli to the The Beach Boys. His latest trip to New Zealand has him teaming up with the Aotea Youth Symphony, for two concerts that are part of the Auckland Arts Festival. From there he'll take up an artist residency at Queenstown's Te Atamira centre and Daniel will be performing at other venues around the country - you can find details here. It's a big year for the Aotea Youth Symphony - it turns 40 this year. Dr Joe Harrop is a long time member - his dad Paul has been the Symphony's musical director from the beginning. Both Daniel and Joe join Kathryn to talk about the collaboration, and share some music.

11:45 Sports correspondent Sam Ackerman

Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano quits after an embarrassing defeat, while the Winter Olympics comes to a close.