Nine To Noon

The US President Joe Biden heads to Brussels for a NATO summit this week as pressure builds on the military alliance over the Russian invasion and continued bombing of cities in Ukraine. Domesticallly, the US Senate hearing is underway to confirm the first black woman justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Also record gas prices and a four decade high inflation rate is troubling Americas, along with rising Covid cases and a new worrying variant.

A community of tinkers and makers in Kingland Auckland have joined forces to establish their own urban creative playground. Hackland is a makerspace equipped with tools and materials to enable people to follow their passions and interests. It was inspired by similar spaces in urban areas overseas. There are about 40 members, made up of like-minded individuals interested in upcycling or recycling old objects, or just making something completely new.

Yesterday Nine to Noon looked at a new report into the declining rates of literacy and numeracy in the country and what could be done to fix it. This morning Lynn focuses on the $11b missing from the economy from people who aren't dealt a fair hand in the education system. They're called 'under-served' learners and there's 66,290 of them; students who leave school with low, or no qualifications, with Maori, Pasifika and the disabled over-represented. A new analysis from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research has put a dollar figure on how much under-served learners are missing out on in earnings: compared to those with a level 4 - 6 qualification, it's $500,000 over their working life. The research was prepared by NZIER principal economist Michael Bealing, who talks to Lynn about how the $11b was measured. She'll also talk to Mark Rushworth, UP Education group chief executive, about the report the research informs.

As the weather turns colder, Kennedy reflects on something truly cold: the wreck of Shackleton's ship "Endurance," discovered a fortnight ago on the bottom of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica. He also provides an update on "Lucky", the kereru which has evaded predators and reached the age of 60 days on Rod Morris's property at The Cove, Otago Peninsula. And he shares some thoughts on cycling the Karangahake Gorge section of the Hauraki Rail Trail.

At Dunedin's Scottish restaurant Bracken, there's tartan on the walls, the staff wear kilts and haggis and whisky are always on the menu. Chef David Burt tells Lynn Freeman about his passion for Scottish cuisine.

The last elements of Covid restrictions are coming down fast - Ben, Shane and Lynn discuss who the transition will benefit and what political risk the changes carry. Also with Simon Bridges leaving parliament, National has a new finance spokesperson with Nicola Willis, and what the latest political poll is showing. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary. Shane Te Pou is a former candidate, campaign manager and executive member of the Labour Party, and a former union official. He is no longer a member of any political party. He is a Director and HR Manager for IT Company Mega.

Kiran Dass reviews Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, published by Faber

Thunderstorms and lightning have lashed Northland and Auckland this morning causing widespread disruption, including power outages, school closures, property damage and flooding. A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for the Rodney, Gulf, Kaipara, Auckland City, Waitakere, Franklin and Albany areas. More than 4000 lightning strikes were recorded in the Auckland and lower Northland regions, with more than 700 in the space of five minutes earlier this morning. According to NIWA records, Auckland recorded its second wettest hour on record this morning. Lynn speaks with Met Service meteorologist, Lewis Ferris.

Jonathan Slaght spent five years risking life and limb in the remote forests of eastern Russia researching the largest and one of the most elusive owls on the planet. The endangered Blakiston's fish owl has a wingspan of six feet and are the easiest to find in winter, where their tracks can be spotted along the snowy river banks. Jonathan Slaght has long been enamoured by the mysterious bird and alongside a devoted team, embarked on a research mission involving blizzards, the crossing of thawing rivers and the threat of a run in with bears and tigers. Lynn Freeman spoke to Slaght about his book, A Quest to Find and Save the World's Largest Owl documenting his adventures.

Maritime New Zealand says the search is continuing to find the five unaccounted people in the waters off North Cape. An emergency beacon was activated by a vessel about eight o'clock last night. 10 people were on board and five were rescued and are now in a stable condition in Kaitaia Hospital. Helicopters and boats have been out searching the water this morning and ground crews also searching along the shoreline. Lynn gets an update from search and rescue officer Nick Burt.