Nine To Noon

A senior barrister specialising in employment law says yesterday's groundbreaking employment court ruling on child labour at Gloriavale is a wake-up call for government agencies and other organisations relying heavily on volunteers. The Employment Court found that three former members of the Christian group were employed from the age of six, doing work that was strenuous and sometimes dangerous. The Labour Inspectorate, which is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, had earlier concluded people working at Gloriavale, including children, were volunteers. Senior Christchurch barrister specialising in employment law, Kathryn Dalziel, says the judgement could impact any church group or incoroporated society that relies on volunteers, and should ring alarm bells with a number of public agencies.

Andrew talks to Kathryn about which stations are tracking well in the latest radio ratings. Also the latest World Press Freedom Index is out, compiled by Reporters without Borders. New Zealand has slipped from 8th to 11th, mainly around the economic stability of the industry. Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne.

Farmers are looking to the skies to keep the land in check. A river catchment weed control project has led to farmers' growing interest in using drones to spray, sow seeds, get into hard to reach ravines, and to muster sheep. A field day last week drew scores of Otago and Southland farmers keen to find out more or share what they've already learned. And with some new drone tech available in Southland, spraying for instance can be achieved within 1 to 2 cm of a mapped boundary-line. Kathryn is joined by Otago South River Care co-ordinator Rebecca Begg, who organised the drove event and Bill Paterson, who runs contract spraying company Aerial Agri Solutionz out of Waikaka near Gore.

Patrick has an explainer on how the whole carbon emissions reduction budget process works, ahead of next week's Emissions Reduction Plan and the Budget. Also what's going on at the NZ Film Commission ? Pattrick Smellie is the editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported on the New Zealand economy and business since 1983.

Bronwyn Wylie-Gibb of University Book Shop, Dunedin reviews A Tidy Ending by Joanna Cannon, published by Simon and Schuster Bronwyn says: Another wonderful novel by Joanna Cannon (who is a psychiatrist in her day job) exploring the disquieting depths and sinister eddies of everyday suburban life. Compelling characters, superb pacing, elegant writing and one or two staggering twists make for a very satisfying and thought-provoking read.

While most of us have spent our whole lives walking, how much consideration have we really given to the full benefits? Writer and keen walker Annabel Streets has been researching the science behind walking, and has found walking can expand your mind, build muscle, boost your immunity, improve your vision, burn calories, help you sleep, reduce anxiety, improve your memory and lift your mood. In her new book 52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science Of Walking For Wellness And Joy, One Week At A Time, Annabel Streets takes readers through 52 weeks of walks, which will inspire and encourage you to mix up how, when and where you walk, to get the most out of each step. She says she was initially motivated to learn more about the benefits of walking, as a way to counter the excuses offered up by her husband and teenage children. So, are there any good excuses for not going for a walk?

The biggest story in America continues to be a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark 1973 case Roe vs Wade which guarantees the right to an abortion in the United States. The draft, written by Samuel Alito, was later verified as authentic by Chief Justice John Roberts. The draft has set off a firestorm in the country where public polling shows a strong majority of voters favor maintaining the right to an abortion. And Jill Biden has made a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska who has been in hiding with her children. Kelsey Snell is a congressional correspondent for NPR, based in Washington DC.

When details of the draft agreement were leaked, it blindsided many countries - including New Zealand - with Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta calling it a "relationship failure". The Solomon Islands Prime Minister isn't backing down though, saying critics of the deal are undermining his country. So what happens now? Will relationships be repaired as long as it's on the table? Kathryn discuss with Otago University Chinese foreign policy specialist Nicholas Khoo.

Auckland commuters could be paying to drive on inner-city roads in future, with the government expected to announce congestion pricing next week as part of its final Emissions Reduction Plan. If it goes through, the charge could help reduce vehicle emissions by removing 12 per cent of traffic off the city's roads. A 2020 report called the Congestion Question recommended higher charges for peak time periods, starting at $1.50 for off-peak, $2.50 during shoulder times, and $3.50 for peak periods, with the charges only applied once within a two-hour window regardless of distance travelled, and no charge between 7pm and 6am. Kathryn discusses the issue with Auckland mayor Phil Goff, Michael Barnett of the Chamber of Commerce and Editor of urban advocacy group, Greater Auckland, Matt Lowrie.

Bill McKay discusses Auckland Council's response to Government reforms, impacts on heritage and special character areas and the need to re-invent our cities to face bigger issues and cope with what is to come. Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.