Nine To Noon

Quentin Johnson reviews The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris, published by Penguin Random House NZ.

David Christian is a historian and Professor Emeritus at Macquarie University, who co-founded the Big History Project with Bill Gates - but his latest book focusses on the future. Future Stories, A User's Guide to the Future draws on science, history and philosophy to imagine what the world will look like in the next hundred years and consider solutions to the biggest challenges we face.

Karen discusses the latest interest rate rises, plans to ease Covid restrictions, Jetstar leaves thousands of passengers stranded due to engineering issues and is there a new era of Aussie tennis on the horizon?

Waka Kotahi is rolling out the next phase of its urban development programme, Streets for People, with $30 million earmarked for projects in 13 regions. The programme aims to accelerate the process for rolling out projects such as protected cycleways, better street crossings and low traffic neighbourhoods. It's part of the government's wider Emissions Reduction Plan to increase walking and cycling in urban areas and to improve public transport. The Streets for People programme will build on the 2020 pilot - which included the successful rejuvenation of Drews Avenue Arts Quarter in Whanganui. Kathryn speaks to Ellen Young from the Whanganui District Council about the project, as well as Kathryn King, Urban Mobility Manager at Waka Kotahi.

Schools are concerned over the results of a trial of new NCEA literacy and numeracy tests. In June, year-10 students trialled the tests, which are due to become compulsory from 2024. Principals spoken to by RNZ say pass rates for the writing test were as low as zero, while in numeracy, some schools had pass rates below or about 50-percent. Overall results from the June trial of the online tests are expected to be published later this month, but a smaller trial last year saw failure rates of two-thirds for writing and one third for both reading and numeracy. Kathryn speaks with Alan Robertson, Deputy Principal of Burnside High School, Grant McMillan, Principal of James Cook High School in Auckland, and Nina Hood, education researcher and founder of the Education Hub.

A new report out this morning from Massey's New Zealand Financial Education and Research Centre - finds inflation is becoming a significant factor for superannuitants and those planning for their retirement. The report says inflation has been much higher this year than the actual Consumer Price Index, and the lag in the increase in NZ Super is making it tough for retirees, who are having to rely more on their savings to pay for day to day living costs. It's also a big issue for those nearing retirement. Kathryn speaks with CEO of Financial Advice NZ, Katrina Shanks.

Dr Sydney Savion used her experience of more than 20 years in the US military to form a successful career as a corporate executive. Dr Savion is a behavioral scientist who has forged a career helping organisations with staff training and development, and has worked with companies like Computer giant Dell and more recently was the Chief Learning Officer with Air New Zealand. It was there that she developed a numeracy and literacy programme for staff - Project Mana. But behind this was always the mantra of striving for excellence - something which was drilled into her during her time in the military. She explained to Kathryn how the transition from military to civilian life shaped her next steps.

Is quiet quitting a new trend at the workplace? Or are employees just putting their well-being first? Rebecca Stevenson, senior writer at interest.co.nz explains the new phenomenon, as well as the curious story of how pools are being taxed in France with the help of technology.

Rob Kelly reviews Dr B by Daniel Birnbaum, published by 4th Estate

Maraea and Kristian Pomana are part of the backbone of the Fordlands Community Centre. The organisation is in the heart of the Rotorua suburb which has long established high unemployment and poverty issues. Of the 600 houses in Fordlands, around a third are owned by Kainga Ora and the average income of residents is $19,000 a year. Life has not been completely rosy for the Pomana whanau, but through their own struggles they are well placed to help other residents. Maraea is the operations manager of the Fordlands Community Centre and Kristian is the employment co-ordinator.