Nine To Noon

As other countries move to restrict access to opioid drugs, New Zealand regulators have loosened the rules on how much can be prescribed at once. An amendment in November to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations would allow for three months' worth of the pain drugs to be prescribed, up from one months' worth. That's alarmed some medical professionals, who say they weren't fully consulted on the changes and it could increase the risk of harm and addiction. Kathryn speaks to former Royal College of GPs medical director, now Chair of General Practice New Zealand Bryan Betty about the pressure doctors can come under from patients over access to the drugs.

Steve looks at the recent success of the The Black Caps and Kane Williamson's contribution, the Crusaders beating the Blues and he looks ahead to the All Whites two home games this week. Also Kiwi golfer Danny Lee's golf winnings and the dollar value.

Landscape designer and gardener Xanthe White talks to Kathryn about why wood is one of our most valuable resources when developing healthy gardens. She explains why it is particularly useful in restoration work but also food production.

Rebecca looks at the OECD's new global economic outlook which says central banks shouldn't be distracted by weaknesses in banking and financial systems or economic recovery, and monetary policy needs to remain restrictive until there are clear signs that underlying inflationary pressures are lowered durably. Also, the Reserve Bank hiking rates, with Governor Adrian Orr pointing out, there are other options to cool inflation that don't involve NZ's central bank hammering the populace with high interest pain. Rebecca Stevenson is a senior writer at interest.co.nz

An earthquake swarm in Kawerau over the weekend has lots of people rattled with over 600 earthquakes recorded on Saturday and Sunday. The Ohiwa Harbour has an oversupply of starfish, that is wiping out shellfish species, particularly mussels. And Waka Kotahi is holding community information meetings in Whakatane and Awakeri next week to allow people to have their say on safety improvements on SH30 Awakeri-Whakatane. Eastern Bay of Plenty Local Democracy Reporter, Diane McCarthy is with the Whakatane Beacon.

Ralph McAllister reviews The New Life by Tom Crewe, published by Chatto.

Whether it is extreme flooding in the north and east, or drought in parts of the south - water has been a key focus around the country in recent times. Award-winning independent journalist and author Erica Gies says that just as floods and droughts are the first obvious sign of climate change, we are making things much worse by the way we manage or mismanage water. In her book Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge, she travels the world, examining "Slow Water" innovations, where wetlands, floodplains, high altitude grasslands and forests soften flood peaks, store water for droughts, and keep natural systems healthy.

The spotlight is on the banking sector after the failure of California based lender, Silicon Valley Bank, which regulators have intervened to take control of. Former President, Donald Trump is claiming he's about to be arrested and Ron says partisan wars are hobbling Congress. Ron Elving is a Senior Editor and Correspondent, Washington Desk for NPR news.

The vulnerability of the country's communications systems were exposed in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, as much of the badly-hit east coast was left incommunicado for days. In an era where so much is reliant on the internet, local authorities in Tairawhiti relied on extra copies of the Gisborne Herald to get word out where possible - and the AM radio network was a vital information source. So why did telecommunications systems fare so badly in this particular weather event? What would it take to make them more resilient? Dr Ulrich Speidel is a senior lecturer in computer science at the University of Auckland and has been thinking about these questions, he joins Kathryn to discuss, along with Paul Brislen, CEO of the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum.

Age Concern Rotorua sees first hand the desperation of many retirees and elderly trying to survive on superannuation, and their struggle to afford rent and groceries. The charity has commissioned the building of three tiny homes to be situated on some land the organisation owns, and it recently held a ballot for elderly people in dire need of an affordable home. Demand well exceeded supply. Manager Rory O'Rourke says some people are spending long spells staying with whanau in crowded homes, or living in emergency housing, and in the more extreme cases living in cars and vans. Kathryn talks Rory O'Rourke about what's driving the need and also to to one of the successful Tiny House applicants, 81 year old Warwick Pryce, and to Frank Bailey who missed out.