Nine To Noon for Friday 23 February 2024

09:05 Stats show "an unprecedented depth of poverty" : Economist   

Child poverty is worsening according to latest statistics, so what will be the effect of looming benefit changes and the government's promised "tough love" approach to beneficiaries? The latest child poverty statistics from Stats NZ show three out of nine measures of child poverty became worse in the year to the end of June 2023. That includes 23,000 more children than the year before going without household essentials such as fresh groceries, doctor's visits, and good pairs of shoes. 200,000 children live in households with less than half the median disposable income after housing costs - that's up by around 3 percent. On April 1 benefit increases will align with inflation, rather than wage growth, meaning smaller increases to benefits than would have been the case. Auckland University economist associate professor Susan St John has spent decades researching poverty and government policy. She says we are seeing an unprecendented depth of poverty.

09:25 Taking the long way to Northland with SH 1 closure at the Brynderwyns

The imminent closure for repairs of a vital gateway to Northland is a devastating blow for transport and tourism operators. State Highway One through the Brynderwyn Hills is closing again on Monday for more repairs to the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The route will close for a month, temporarily reopening for Easter travel and then be off-limits again on for another few weeks. This latest closure will force motorists and the 1200 truckies who travel the route daily to take lengthy diversions. To discuss the economic impact, and how businesses and major road users will cope, CEO of the National Road Carriers Association, Justin Tighe-Umbers and Riki Kinnaird, who is the co owner of the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell.

09:35 Haupai Puha is the first New Zealander to qualify for the world professional darts circuit 

Haupai Puha is the first New Zealander to win a card to the Professional Darts Corporation where he can play at the top table against the world's best. There are 128 players around the world given a card - the first 64 are based on rankings while the remaining half have to qualify through what are known as Q-Schools. A former pro golfer - Haupai funded himself to go to Germany in January, where he came out as one of the top qualifiers in a field of hundreds to claim his place on the world tour. Last year, Haupai gained attention by beating highly ranked Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh at the New Zealand masters in Hamilton. This week Haupai won a couple of matches before bowing out in the round of 32 at the Players Championship 4 in Leicester. Haupai talks to Kathryn from London.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Eleisha Foon

Funeral arrangements are being made for Fa'anānā Efeso Collins after his death at a charity run this week, at just 49 years old. Eleisha has spoken to several leaders in the Pasifika community who knew the MP. And dozens of people have been killed in an ambush between tribes in a remote area of Papua New Guinea. Authorities have revised the number of deaths from 54 to about 26, but say it is still one of the worst in the highlands' recent history.

RNZ Pacific reporter Eleisha Foon

10:05 Tongariro National Park's beauty through the eyes of an artist

Desmond Bovey lived in France for thirty years, predominantly working as an art director, specialising in ecology and environmental interpretation. Upon returning home to Whanganui he was in search of a project to reconnect with Aotearoa  - and worked on some environmental projects for DOC and Forest and Bird. Then,the diversity of the Central Plateau captured him, in particular an up close encounter with a rare Kārearea - NZ Falcon and this inspired many sketches. The result is his book - Tongariro National Park - an artists field guide. Desmond Bovey has not only written it, but also done the 400 illustrations which grace the pages, capturing the landscapes, plants and animals of the area.

10:35 Book review: Blackouts by Justin Torres 

Martene McCaffrey of Unity Books Auckland reviews Blackouts by Justin Torres published by Granta

10:45 Around the motu: Samantha Gee in Nelson

The Pike 29 Memorial Track has officially opened in memory of the victims of the Pike River mining disaster thirteen years ago. In Golden Bay, The Flying Doctor Service has a new $3 million air ambulance that will be based at Nelson Airport. 91 of 92 Pakahā Fluttering shearwater chicks moved from the Marlborough Sounds to Cape Farewell have successfully fledged.  And the hot, dry weather continues across Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough bringing with it raised fire risk.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Last time glorious Swiss 'minimalist transpop prekraut postdisco' band Hyperculte played in Aotearoa in 2020, their tour had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Now they’re back for an extensive tour in late March and early April. Grant Smithies has two tracks from them today, followed by gems from Chicago deep house producer Ron Trent and an '80s club classic from Nigerian disco-boogie legend, Sony Enang.

11:30 Sports commentator Dana Johanssen

Players will be kitted out with new technology as Super Rugby Pacific kicks off tonight. Smart mouthguards will monitor head impact events, so doctors can identify who needs further assessment. And the battle between High Performance Sport NZ and the Mahe Drysdale-led Athletes' Cooperative is headed to the Employment Court. HPSNZ indicated this week it will appeal an ERA decision allowing New Zealand's top rowers and cyclists to engage in collective bargaining.

11:45 The week that was with te Radar and Michele A'Court

Te Radar and Michele A'Court look at the lighter moments of the week, including the unusual reason thousands of bodyguards are being hired across China. Media there is reporting a surge of interest in private protection as people look to impress love interests, or intimidate their neighbours. And the world of darts has been hit with a stinky scandal as a player is accused of passing gas, to throw off his opponent.