Nine To Noon for Monday 9 December 2024

09:05 Defenders rally behind Begonia House

Another Wellington landmark is set for demolition - with city councillors considering whether to demolish Begonia House as they look for savings. Supporters of the 64-year-old worry the Wellington City Council isn't considering viable alternatives. Last week councillors voted to demolish the capital's City to Sea bridge because of a disputed report it was earthquake-prone, and that it would cost $85 million to repair. Now supporters are rallying around Begonia House, which is also slated for demolition because much of it needs to be replaced. Council staff say a patch-up job won't do, and a full replacement would cost in the range of $25million. RNZ understands there is an offer from a developer take care of the redevelopment of Begonia House in exchange for a lease for a restaurant at the site that would be open at night. Supporters of Begonia House say they want that offer to be taken seriously and that it is a good way to save the beloved site. President of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens is Mazz Scannell. She is one of the organisers leading a fundraising push to save Begonia House. Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung has been speaking with the developer who has taken an interest in Begonia House.

09:20 How will Australia enforce its social media ban? 

Australia's ban on social media for the under-16s will kick in late next year, but one of the biggest criticisms has been how effectively it can be enforced. The country passed legislation two weeks ago limiting social media use for users under 16 and threatening fines of up to A$50 million if companies don't comply. A trial will get underway in January involving over 1000 Australians which will look at three main age check methods: verification, estimation and inference. But how robust are these options - and where do privacy concerns fit into it all? Toby Murray is an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne.

09:30 First-time director tells his deaf mother's story in short film

Film maker Chris Hines decided to stay close to home with the subject of directorial debut. His 17-minute short film The Dining Table depicts life from the perspective of his mother as a young girl. The protagonist, Jess, is deaf and becomes isolated from her family when they stop using sign language during an argument. The film launched a fortnight ago, starring deaf actress Lucy McKenzie-Bridle. Director Chris Hines speaks to Kathryn.

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher 

Sebastian Usher brings us up to date on the latest in Syria.

10:05 Champion swimmer Michael Klim on his biggest challenge yet

Former Olympic and world champion swimmer Michael Klim is best known for his extraordinary performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He famously won gold medals in the 4x100 metre relay, the 4x200 metres freestyle relay, plus silvers in the 100 metres butterfly and 4x100 metres medley relay. He's a six time world champion. Michael Klim was  born in Poland, learned to swim in India, lived in Canada and Germany as a youth and ended up swimming for Australia.Four years ago he faced his biggest personal hurdle yet: diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disorder which causes the body's immune system to attack the myelin that insulates and protects the body's nerves. He speaks to Kathryn from his home in Bali.

10:35 Book review:She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark 

Laura Caygill reviews She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark published by Faber - 'a collection of genre crossing short stories that are both nightmarish and knowing. Eliza Clark chews up our insecurities, fears and depravities and spits them out into stories difficult to forget'.

10:45 Around the motu: Amy Williams in Auckland

Amy discusses the latest events in Auckland including the ongoing storm recovery and what it means for homeowners, updates in public access to the police in the CBD, shortening hours to buy booze, and how the city is looking ahead of Christmas.

Amy Williams is a senior RNZ reporter based in Auckland.

11:05 Political commentators Morten and Jones

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis.. 

11:30 The magic of microbes with Kelli-Jo Walker

Kelli-Jo Walker loves all things to do with fermentation. Her boutique business, The Wild Fermentary, produces a range of 'living' sodas and sauerkrauts with a focus on sustainability and gut health, and has won several awards. She launched the business in 2020. Kelli speaks to Kathryn from her wild garden in Clevedon, South East of Auckland, where she sources a lot of her raw produce.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy Warne discusses the connection between architecture and the human spirit. He says a superb example of such connection is in the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which feels very much like a resurrection from the dead. He talks about the fascinating details of the restoration process - the sourcing and shaping of timber and stone, the marshalling of 2000 workers and artisans to take part in the project of a lifetime, and some of the minor miracles that made restoration possible.