Nine To Noon for Monday 25 March 2024

09:05 EV sellers face difficult year ahead following policy changes

A week from today, owners of electric vehicles - including plug-in hybrids - will begin buying licences for road-user charges. Owners have until the end of May to buy and display their first RUCs. For an EV that travels the average yearly amount a year - considered 14,000 kilometres - the owner will need to buy $1064 in RUCs a year, the same as diesel vehicles, while plug-in hybrid owners will pay half that amount. The decision to bring in the RUCs follows the removal of the Clean Car Discount - and the combination has crippled confidence in the EV market, according to industry leaders. Kathryn speaks to Motor Industry Association chief executive Aimee Wiley about what's happening to EV sales. She'll also talk to Emory Fierlinger, co-creator of the Roadtrip app, about a new website he's helped build called What the Ruc?, which is designed to help EV users work out what they'll have to pay.

09:25 New Auckland flight school takes off as pilot shortages bite

Two flying schools in Auckland are teaming up to create the country's biggest pilot training organisation. Ardmore Flying School and the Auckland International Pilot Academy have announced the venture today - which will be known as the Auckland Pilot Training Group. The move comes amid concern at the wait international students have been experiencing in securing visas to train as a pilot here, and a shortage of pilots across nearly all aviation jobs. Kathryn speaks to Aviation Industry Association's CEO Simon Wallace about that, and Irene King, CEO of the Auckland Pilot Training Group's Ardmore Campus.

09:40 Inspirational Waikato farmer Stu Muir shares his story of cleaning waterways

Stu Muir is a Waikato farmer who believes strongly in local individuals and communities taking responsibility for the environment around them. He is a fifth-generation farmer who farms land at Aka Aka southwest of Pukekohe. The Papa and Mangati streams flow through his property and after decades of neglect had become stagnant and blocked with invasive willow trees and sediment from the Waikato River. He cleared the weedy species, brought in pest control and let the streams flow again. He's used the project to inspire others - especially rangatahi to learn about what can be done if local people and communities get stuck in and clean up an environment. Stu is also deeply proud of his te reo - he says he's at a conversational level - and uses it in talks he gives on conservation. Stu is up for the Environmental Hero of the Year award in the New Zealander Awards, which are being announced on Wednesday evening. 

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

Militant group Islamic State has released footage of the alleged gunmen in the Moscow concert hall attack, backing up claims it was behind the Russian massacre which has killed at least 137 people. And Western Balkan country Bosnia and Herzegovina has been given the green light for the start of formal EU membership talks. In Ireland, the youngest ever prime minister is set to be sworn in after the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar. Former health minister 37-year-old Simon Harris has been dubbed the 'TikTok Taoiseach', because of his heavy use of social media platforms.

10:05  Sid Marsh - close encounters with wild tigers

Sid Marsh is a writer and artist who has spent the last 13 years seeking close encounters with Asian wild tigers in India and Malaysia. A short stopover in Northern India in 2010 was the beginning of  his journey; on day three of a tiger safari he saw what he describes as a "big bruiser", a male Bengal tiger in the wild. It was meant to be a one-off trip to India - but 13 years later, he's been back numerous times - also to Malaysia -  and has now published a book about his travels: called Butterflies in Tiger Country. It's Sid Marsh's ninth published book. He's also been a diving instructor, commercial pilot, wildlife ranger and is currently working on a portfolio of watercolour paintings for an upcoming exhibition on Waiheke Island where he lives.

10:35 Book review: My Brilliant Sister by Amy Brown 

Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore reviews My Brilliant Sister by Amy Brown published by Simon and Schuster

10:45 Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Palmerston North

A shortage of rescue workers and firefighters at the Ohakea air force base could affect its viability as an alternative landing destination. The country’s first electric bus fleet is carrying passengers in Palmerston North, with more than 40 buses replacing diesel ones. Jimmy also has an update from Taumarunui on  Auckland’s old dumped and decaying commuter trains.

RNZ Checkpoint reporter, Jimmy Ellingham.

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones & Tim Hurdle

Neale Jones and Tim Hurdle discuss the continued scrutiny on the Government's finances, as more jobs are cut from the public sector. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon continues his effort to play down expectations of what is in this year’s Budget. And the top brass at police and defence have warned MPs the spending cuts could weaken frontline services.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, was the National Party Campaign Director in 2020. He is a director of several companies, including Museum Street Strategies, a public affairs firm.

11:30 Little Bone Broth Co: from farmers market to supermarket

Bone broth is considered to be a superfood dating back to the stone age. Christchurch local Alex Watson, is the founder of Little Bone Broth Co. Watson has taken his love of bone broth from humble beginnings, selling it at his local farmers market, to now being featured on supermarket shelves beside brands like Campbells. He joins Kathryn Ryan to share his journey.

11:45 Urban Issue with Bill McKay

Does urban densification mean heritage buildings have to go? Wellington City Council has voted to strip the status off of several buildings, many of which previous Councils and experts think are worth preserving.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

Music played in this show

'This I Promise You' by NSYNC.

'Echo Beach' by Martha and the Muffins.

'Love My Way' by The Psychedelic Furs.