Nine To Noon

A major new report calls for much closer scrutiny of chemicals approved of, and used, in New Zealand. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says on paper, there is a robust system in place to assess risks when a chemical is introduced. But of the 30,000 chemicals approved for use in New Zealand, but only around 200 chemicals are routinely tested for. Simon Upton says much of the science on the environmental impact of some chemicals has changed, and the current system is patchy and inadequate. Mr Upton says a common framework needs to be developed and used by all agencies dealing with chemicals, with a priority focus on high risk contaminants.

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Kathryn to look at the new Batman film in cinemas, simply called The Batman, with Robert Pattinson in the lead role. He'll also look at The Dropout (Disney+), based on the Elizabeth Holmes-Theranos scandal, Pieces of Her (Netflix) based on the New York Times best-selling novel and starring Toni Collette and Winning Time (Neon), about the rise of the LA Lakers basketball team in the 1980s.

With Omicron established in University populations nationwide and particularly in Dunedin, we're going to take a look at the mental health impact on young people and student life. Dr Kerry Gibson is Clinical psychologist and researcher and an Associate Professor of psychology at the University of Auckland. She is also the author of the book - What young people want from mental health services: A youth informed approach for the digital age.

Mahsa joins Kathryn to look at how the first week of the academic year is shaping up during the omicron outbreak, and what university students' experience of online learning has been. The theme of this year's International Women's Day is #breakthebias, and when it comes to Artificial Intelligence, there's plenty of that. And she'll also discuss mums, games and the Metaverse! Dr Mahsa Mohaghegh is Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering - Computer and Mathematical Sciences and Director of Women in Technology at the Auckland University of Technology.

Joanna Ludbrook of Chicken and Frog Books in Featherston reviews Hauraki Broo by Nikki Slade Robinson, published by Duck Creek Press

RNZ Political reporter Charlie Dreaver from parliament where a huge clean up is underway after the chaotic scenes yesterday in which protesters were cleared from the grounds they had occupied for 23 days.

Larry Miller is the head of the Michael Jordan brand for Nike. But during his steady corporate rise, colleagues had no idea that as a teenager he'd shot and killed a man and served time in jail. When revealing his gangland background caused him to lose his first major job opportunity, he vowed to keep quiet about it. His memoir Jump - My Secret Journey From the Streets to the Boardroom - now sets the record straight. Larry Miller has co-written the book with his daughter Laila Lacy. It's a tale of hardship growing up in a gritty part of Philadelphia, crime, redemption and ultimately global business success.

UK correspondent Harriet Line joins Kathryn to talk about the UK's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Boris Johnson condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions as "war crimes". He's under further pressure to crack down on Russian oligarchs living in the UK, including Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - who's confirmed this morning he'll sell the club. Meanwhile the UK's defence secretary has again ruled out imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Advocates for people with rare disorders say they feel overlooked and let-down the government which promised funding, but has failed to deliver. Around 300 thousand or six percent of New Zealanders live with a rare disorder. A new survey finds for one in five, it took over ten years to gain a diagnosis, with the majority reporting being misdiagnosed at least once. It finds a lack of accessible, effective modern medicines available for the majority of people and most respondents believe that professionals are poorly prepared to support them with their rare disorder. Rare Disorders New Zealand is the only national organisation supporting all New Zealanders with rare disorders, however its funding was been cut in half by the Government. Kathryn speaks with Lisa Foster of Rare Disorders New Zealand and Dr Rosemary Marks, from the Paediatric Society.

Meanwhile a special meeting of the UN General Assembly has voted to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine by a margin of 141 votes to five. Kathryn speaks with the Guardian's world affairs editor Julian Borger at the UN.