Nine To Noon

Elisabeth Easther reviews The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang, published by HarperCollins

Scattered among the mob that stormed the US Capitol in 2021 were banners that read ‘Trust the Plan’. It's a reference to a viral QAnon conspiracy theory and it's also the title of a new book which charts the rise of QAnon and shows that the conspiracy is, if anything, gaining pace.

Ron talks to Kathryn about the Silicon Valley Bank faiure and whether there are more banks in jeopardy. Federal regulators in Washington and Joe Biden say all depositors will be made whole. Ron says this is one of several rather bold strokes coming from the President in recent days. Another was a call for higher taxes to the tune of trillions of dollars over 10 years directed at making wealthier taxpayers pay more and the third, was a decision to back an enormous oil drilling project in northern Alaska while opposing several other smaller energy projects in that region. Meanwhile, the legal drama around former President Trump continues this week. many in Washington are concerned that the health of several senators may be keeping that chamber from operating at full strength.

Ecotricity already positioned itself as a provider of 100 per cent renewable energy and was net carbonzero certified. It's now gone through a process with Toitu Envirocare to become climate positive: Its carbon footprint for its entire value chain has been measured, remaining emissions offset through carbon credits to 125 per cent and it's contributed a further 75 per cent of its carbon footprint to supporting projects that help society decarbonise. Joining Kathryn to explain why the company made the move is Ecotricity CEO Al Yates and to explain how the process works is Toitu Envirocare's CEO Teressa Betty.

Polytech courses up and down the country are underway for the academic year, but the mega-merger entity Te Pukenga still faces delays, staffing issues and budget cuts. Te Pukenga came into existence on January the first, bringing more than 16 individual polytechnics under the one umbrella, with 260-thousand students , and 13-thousand staff around across the country. There have been several high profile resignations from the merged entity, which so far has cost $200 million. The most recent was Richard Forgan, deputy chief executive for strategy and transformation, who finished early this month after just weeks in the job. Te Pukenga's Chief Executive Peter Winder has told staff that savings of $35 million will have to be made this year. And an as-yet unpublished business case for Te Pukenga suggests is seeking a further financial injection of $422.6 million over the next four years, from this year's budget. Penny Simmonds was Chief Executive of the Southern Institute of Technology for 13 years from 1997 to 2020 - before becoming the National MP for Invercargill. She says Te Pukenga is becoming a financial black hole, achieving very little for students and learners.

The Prime Minister Chris Hipkins yesterday ditched a raft of plans including the half-a-billion-dollar clean-car discount scheme, "re-scoping" Auckland light rail, while winding back other transport policies. The government is also deferring or cancelling work on other environmental, health, and employment and human rights policies. Chris Hipkins says his purge on various projects will save about one billion dollars - which will be spent on so-called "bread and butter" issues and cyclone recovery. Yesterday he announced benefit increases are to be linked to inflation rather than the average wage. Meanwhile a new Kantar Public poll released last night puts Labour and National neck and neck - just two points between them. Kathryn discusses with politcial commentators Gareth Hughes and Brigitte Morton.

Curtains are crucial; law change to put curtains in rentals.

When she moved to Aotearoa from Mumbai as a child, Perzen Patel was teased for having Indian food in her lunchbox. The founder of curry paste company Dolly Mumma shares what she now makes for her own kids.

Lamia and Brigitte join Kathryn to talk about the latest polling, with a particular focus on how the smaller parties are faring. What are the strategies and position of the minor parties in election, and is there a squeeze on as National and Labour solidify their places in the mid-30s? They'll also discuss the Government's transport plan U-turn and the upcoming teachers strike.

Todd has the latest on Auckland's weather emergency recovery, with the large and popular west coast community of Muriwai remaining a no-go zone with months of uncertainty for many on whether their homes have a future. Authorities are working on the longer term cost and impact, such as the $250m bill Watercare expects to face in restoring its networks. Also, Auckland Council is putting the brakes on immediate spending as it grinds through the process of trying to close a $295m deficit next year.