Nine To Noon for Tuesday 27 February 2024

09:05 Principals welcome school property inquiry

Principals hope the ministerial inquiry into school property will flush out why the Ministry of Education has lacked clarity, transparency and consistency in approving and providing classrooms to accommodate booming rolls. The Government announced the review yesterday, amid growing anger from schools whose projects had been put on hold. Around 350 projects have been identified where the scope of what was planned was unrealistic or unaffordable. The inquiry should report back in three months. Labour says the Government was aware of cost issues, and is trying to get out of school upgrades. Kathryn is joined by President of the Secondary Principals Association Vaughan Couillault and Kyle Brewerton is the President of the Auckland Primary Principals' Association.

09:20 Can a wasp be genetically modified to eradicate all wasps?

Work is underway to create a genetically altered wasp, which would be capable of eradicating all wasps. A collaboration of researchers are looking at whether a 'flaw' could be modified in to an invasive wasp species, which would subsequently spread it through a colony. Even if they're successful, the wasp they create will never actually be let out of the fully contained lab in Dunedin. The main outcome of the $11m dollar project is to determine the ethics of gene-driven pest control, and to consider whether such a technology could protect biodiversity - and do it safely. Amanda Black of Lincoln University is the co-director of Bioprotection Aotearoa, and the project's director researcher. And Peter Dearden of Otago University is the deputy director researcher, and also the director of Genomics Aotearoa - the first outfit in the world to genetically sequence a wasp. 

09:30 There's something in the water at Scapegrace Distillery

It's been a rapid rise for Scapegrace Distilling Company. The distillery - producing gin, vodka, and more recently single malt whiskey - began as an idea between two brothers-in-law 10 years ago. It’s now exporting to more than 40 countries with a revenue of $12.7m in the 2023 financial year. In April, it's due to complete a $26m development on the banks of Lake Dunstan in Central Otago making it the largest distillery in New Zealand. Managing director and co-founder Daniel McLaughlin speaks with Kathryn. 

09:45 USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

Former President Donald Trump has won the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, the hometown of his fiercest opponent, Nikki Haley. Meanwhile republicans are divided in their response to a ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court that states embryos are children. It has prompted IVF clinics to pause procedures until more clarity is given. Finally Danielle discusses President Joe Biden's latest moves on border control. He has told governors that he is looking into executive actions to stem the flow of undocumented immigrants on the southern border.

Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk

10:05 Journalist's decade-long, cross-continental hunt for origins of the feijoa

Kate Evans is an award-winning journalist and regular contributor to New Zealand Geographic, and she's also a self-proclaimed feijoa fanatic. But for the tangy and gritty fruit, New Zealand is not home - its origins are in South America. Over the course of a decade, Kate has spoken to scientists, historians, and horticulturalists worldwide, and visited four continents, to trace the feijoa right back to its Brazilian beginnings. Her new book - Feijoa: A Story of Obsession and Belonging - is part-science writing and part-personal memoir, and seeks to uncover why out of all places, New Zealand took in the fruit as its own.

10:35 Book review: The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes 

Harry Ricketts reviews The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes published by Hachette

10:45 Around the motu: Peter Newport covering Queenstown Lakes district

A flight carrying many Taylor Swift fans from Queenstown to Sydney revealed challenges the town's airport operations faces. A  Wānaka case has highlighted a new housing problem - exploitative behaviour by a head tenant. And Peter explains what is being blamed for four central Queenstown restaurants recently closing their doors.

Peter Newport is the Managing Editor at Crux

11:05 Business commentator Dileepa Fonseka

BusinessDesk launches its Business of Education series today, looking at the role of the private sector in education. Dileepa discusses Official Information Act figures which reveal a 450 percent increase in the amount the Ministry has spent on contractors over the last five years. And Trade Minister Todd McClay is in Abu Dhabi where he is vice chair for the World Trade Organisation's 13th Ministerial. He is set to chair a contentious part of the meeting which will discuss tariffs on digital services like Netflix.

11:30 Supermarket spotlight: Consumer's Gemma Rasmussen

It's been a big year already for the supermarket sector. Woolworths has rolled out a new loyalty programme, while Foodstuffs is embarking on a trial of facial recognition technology. And across the Ditch, Woolworths Australia boss Brad Banducci called it quits following a disastrous interview he gave on the issue of price gouging. Gemma Rasmussen, head of communications and campaigns at Consumer NZ, joins Kathryn to break down the developments.

11:45 Sports chat with Marc Hinton

Super Rugby Pacific has kicked off but there are mixed opinions on the new 'smart' mouthguards designed to detect head knocks. Two players were called off for assessments after alerts from the tech, despite not having any blows to the head. Marc Hinton also looks at the Black Caps' World Cup preparations, whether it is finally the Warriors' year, and Eliza McCartney's latest pole vault success.