Nine To Noon for Friday 10 November 2023

 

09:05 Tekapo solar farm application rejected on ecological grounds

A resource consent application for a large solar farm planned for the Mackenzie Basin has been rejected, on ecological grounds. Andrew and Karen Simpson, of Balmoral Station, near Lake Tekapo, want to build and operate an 88-megawatt solar farm on 113 hectares which would produce enough electricity to power up to 13,000 homes. An Environment Canterbury hearing was held in Christchurch in August, and the three Commissioners' decision has just been made public - refusing the consent. They say the development risked permanent and irreversible loss of threatened land environments, and would potentially impact indigenous flora and fauna species. The decision has been welcomed by the Environmental Defence Society, which opposed the application because it threatened indigenous biodiversity.But what does this mean for the country's pathway towards decarbonising the energy sector? Kathryn speaks with Gary Taylor, EDS Chair and Roger Sutton, CEO of Electricity Ashburton, which supported the application.

09:20 Auckland beaches back open after sewage overflow

Just weeks after hundreds of millions of litres of sewage poured into the Waitematā harbour, Aucklanders are heading back to the beach. The overflow was caused by a sinkhole which opened up at the back of Parnell property, blocking the Orakei Main sewer and pumping effluent into the harbour. Some of city's most popular inner-city beaches that were off-limits during the overflow event have now got the green tick from Safeswim and are back open. As Auckland heads into another weekend of brilliant sunshine, many will be checking the Safeswim app and grabbing their goggles, but others might not feel so confident. Kathryn speaks to Nathaniel Wilson, Watercare's environmental care manager, and Auckland Council's Healthy Waters head of planning Nick Vigar.

09:35 Hit me baby one more rhyme: Litcrawl turns 10

Wellington's Verb Festival is underway - a city wide party that celebrates books, reading, ideas, information and conversation over four days. The Centrepiece of the Festival is LitCrawl which is celebrating 10 years. It's tomorrow - 30 events and over 100 artists spread over many beloved Wellington venues with entry by donation. From competitive bananagrams to high rotation poems, to indigi-lit speed dating and much more. Kathryn speaks with Lit Crawl's longest-serving Trustee, writer, publisher and long-time LitCrawl attendee Brannavan Gnanalingam.

09:45 Asia correspondent Elizabeth Beattie

Extreme smog in India and Pakistan is causing disruption to the Cricket World Cup and causing school closures. Annually in November severe pollution is a worrying issue in India fuelled by agricultural burning and factory pollution. In Myanmar, there's been a significant development in the long drawn out fight for the country's political future. And Elizabeth talks to Kathryn about a joint NASA and Japan space agency venture involving a wooden space satellite.

Elizabeth Beattie is a journalist based in Tokyo.

10:05 Pub tales: Greg Ryan looks at the social history of beer and brewing in NZ

Aotearoa's association with beer started off in a small corner of the country in 1773.  It was by the crew of the Resolution, captained by James Cook, who found the cooler climes of Dusky Sound provided a much better environment for brewing than trying to ferment while at sea. Their experimental brew kicks off Greg Ryan's new book Continuous Ferment, which looks at the history of beer and brewing in New Zealand. As a history professor, Greg brings a depth to the book that takes in beer's relationship to the social and economic fabric of the country - right up to the present day. It's rich in detail - from the early breweries, various attempts at prohibition, the 6 o'clock swill, dominance of Lion and DB and the relatively recent rise of the craft beer market. 

10:35 Book review: Here, and Only Here by Christelle Dabos 

Roger Christensen of Unity Books Auckland reviews Here, and Only Here by Christelle Dabos published by Text Publishing

10:45 Around the motu: Todd Niall in Auckland

Transport has jumped back into the spotlight in Auckland, as Stuff Senior Auckland Affairs Journalist Todd Niall explains. On Monday an 'interim' busway will enter service from Westgate into the city centre, after decades of  indecision, and strangely discussion has already begun on what will follow it. And, Auckland Transport u-turns on its decision to cull carparks on Karangahape Road, following pressure from mayor Wayne Brown.

11:05 New music with Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor dives in to tracks from Sheffield’s Richard Hawley, a former member of Britpop also-rans The Longpigs, and an auxiliary member of Pulp. He has been making beautifully crafted, and rather old-fashioned, 50’s and 60’s-informed solo albums since 2001. And the second album from Erny Belle, a Tamaki Makarau singer songwriter, which is full of unexpected twists and turns.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman ponders whether the Black Caps could be heading towards a fifth consecutive Cricket World Cup semi final. He also talks to Kathryn about big changes in Super Rugby, and reaction to the retirement of this year's Rugby World Cup final referee, Wayne Barnes. And rising New Zealand football talent Marley Leuluai has just signed a professional deal with English Premier League club Burnley on his 17th birthday.

11:45 Snake on a pizza, anyone? Comedians Donna Brookbanks and Michele A'Court

Our comedians Michele A'Court and Donna Brookbanks wrap up some of the lighter stories of the week... including American company Pizza Hut's latest unusual topping combination. Its Hong Kong branches are serving up snake meat pizza, an ingredient which is a popular winter warmer in the country, especially in stews.