Nine To Noon for Thursday 21 December 2023

09:05 Sluggish economy, spending cuts loom

The government's books were opened up yesterday and it's not a pretty picture. Treasury is forecasting an economy facing two years of sluggish growth, rising unemployment and a prolonged contraction in real GDP per capita growth which signals a decline in living standards. Inflation is the one possible bright light -  expected to fall to 4.1 per cent next year and 2.5 per cent in 2025, although the Reserve Bank Govenor Adrian Orr says it continues to be a struggle to contain core inflation. A weaker economy since the last update in September has seen the tax take fall by $1.6b over the forecast period, and expenses have grown, mainly thanks to more borrowing and higher interest costs. In response, the Finance Minister Nicola Willis outlined a range of cost savings and new revenue totalling $7.5 billion over the next five years - which she says is the beginning of the fiscal clean up. Kathryn discusses with Stephen Toplis, head of research at BNZ.

09:25 Christmas lights draw street vendors, to the ire of residents

The Franklin Rd light display is one of Auckland's Christmas community delights drawing an estimated 150,000 visitors each year. But residents are upset by vendors moving in on the event which they say is set up to be fun and free for parents and others often struggling at this time of the year. Roscoe Thorby is one of the residents and says the vendors are taking advantage of the parents who come to see the lights with their children.

09:35 Pathfinder's John Berry on helping others find their way to ethical investing

Pathfinder Asset Management's co-founder John Berry has been helping people concerned about the environment, human rights and animals to put their money where their mouth is. The fund manager and KiwiSaver provider practices ethical investing across its portfolios - it was the first in its field here in New Zealand to achieve B Corp certification. And Pathfinder's continuing to pick up accolades for its work, taking three honours at this year's Sustainable Business Awards:  the Communicating for Impact award, Sustainability Superstar award and the big one - Transforming Aotearoa New Zealand award. To talk us through where Pathfinder will - and won't - put investors' money, John Berry joins Kathryn.

09:45 UK correspondent Harriet Line

There's fresh debate on whether the UK should change the law to allow assisted dying, sparked this week by well known British broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who has stage four lung cancer. She has joined the assisted dying clinic Dignitas. Dame Esther is urging the Government to allow a free vote on assisted dying - as it has been more than eight years since it was last debated by MPs.  And the Irish government is to begin a legal challenge against the UK Government over legislation which offers immunity for Troubles-era crimes. The Troubles Legacy Act includes a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences for those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). But the Irish government believes the Act breaches the UN Convention on Human Rights. 

Harriet Line is Deputy Political Editor of the Daily Mail.

 

10:05  Mum's toughness prepared top cop for fighting crime

 One of the country's most recognisable officers, Detective Inspector Scott Beard has been a police officer for 43 years and the chief investigator on many high profile cases in the last few decades of New Zealand criminal history. He led the Grace Millane murder inquiry, where the national and international media spotlight was focused on the killing of the young English tourist. As the field crime manager for the Auckland City District he investigates some of the most heinous crimes, including sexual assault, child exploitation. He talks to Kathryn about his upbringing, how he deals with the fallout from human tragedy, surviving cancer, and also his commitment to fitness.

10:35 Book review: Day by Michael Cunningham

Lynn Freeman reviews Day by Michael Cunningham published by 4th Estate

10:45 Around the motu : Todd Niall in Auckland

Todd reflects on the big stories in the City of Sails this year and a rollercoaster ride for the Auckland council as twin rain disasters struck on the region's anniversary weekend in January, closely followed by Cyclone Gabrielle.

11:05 The biggest tech stories of 2023

Tech commentator Juha Saarinen joins Kathryn to talk about what's happened in the tech sector this year, including a lot of large staff layoffs - with the exception of Apple. He says that's in contrast to the mind-blowingly large amounts of money being spend on mergers and acquisitions, including $111b for Microsoft to buy Call of Duty developer Activision Blizzard. But the biggest story is perhaps artificial intelligence - its development, commercialisation and even chaos - with the firing and rehiring of OpenAI's founder and CEO Sam Altman.

Juha Saarinen is a technology journalist and communicator

11:25 Bossy eldest, creative second child: does birth order influence personality?

If you're the eldest child, the stereotype would have us believe you're responsible, conscientious and a bit bossy. Second born - more chilled out and creative and the youngest? Spoilt! But does birth order really influence personality? The evidence is not really there, says neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis, and personality is more to do with the circumstances into which we are born.

11:45 Screentime: The best TV shows of 2023

Chris Schulz wraps up his top five shows that were worth viewing in 2023.