Nine To Noon

Newsoom's coverage of Oranga Tamariki, which includes court action over one story, and the closure of an OT youth home following another story featuring a video showing the mistreatment of children by staff. Also, new data which details where people are getting their news and the closure of the Apple Daily in Hong Kong.

The pros and cons of reverse mortgages - are they a good idea? When should you use one? What other options are there?

New Zealand is one of 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 90% of global GDP, who have joined the new framework for international tax reform. The OECD says the framework updates key elements of the century-old international tax system, which is no longer fit for purpose in a globalised and digitalised 21st century economy. NZ is in the top Tax rate for corporations in the OECD with a rate of 28 percent.

Joanna Ludbrook from Chicken and Frog Books reviews North & South: a tale of two hemispheres by Sandra Morris, published by Walker Books.

Many tales have been told of the fight over Berlin and rest of Germany after the fall of the Nazis at the end of World War 2. The allied forces of Britain, the United States, France and the Soviet Union carved the country up. But soon Berlin became a different kind of battle-ground for their pre-war hostilities to return. It's a story brought vividly to life again by Giles Milton's latest book Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War showdown that shaped the modern world.

Ron talks to Kathryn about the strange divergence of pandemic and post-pandemic culture as parts of America return to normal but cases spike in rural areas where vaccination rates are less than half of what they are in metropolitan areas. Ron also looks at the continuing fallout and speculation about Donald Trump's tax case.

A report from the Education Review Office is sounding the alarm about slipping standards in the teaching of maths at primary schools. ERO says teachers' capability to teach maths is of particular concern. As a result, the review office also has sustained concern about New Zealand's competitiveness in international assessment.

There's a call to better educate young men and boys to quit the cat-calls, locker room talk and the sharing of nude photos and videos. It follows the release last week of a survey of sexual assault and harassment experienced by Christchurch Girls' High School students, where 20 reported being raped.

Kennedy joins Kathryn to talk about a recent icy trip in Southland's Takitimu Mountains, and also about Nic Low's new book describing walking in the footsteps of his ancestors in the Southern Alps.

Life is better when you eat better. That's the philosophy of chef and restaurateur Ganesh Raj. He's been helping Kiwis cook nutritious meals, at an affordable cost on the TV show Eat Well for Less, which he co-hosts with Michael Van de Elzen.