Nine To Noon for Monday 24 June 2024

09:05 New debt free equity release product for retirees: what are the fish hooks?

A new home equity release product is promising a debt free, income solution for the over 70s - so what are the fish hooks? Lifetime Home is owned and operated by retirement income specialists, Lifetime Retirement Income. Under the equity release scheme, a homeowner who is over 70 years of age, can sell a slice of equity in their home to Lifetime Home, in return for a regular income over ten or more years, paid on the same day as NZ Super. The homeowner retains majority ownership and the right to live in the home as long as they wish. When the homeowner or their estate eventually sells the home, Lifetime Home receives its share of the sale proceeds.  Lifetime's founder and managing director Ralph Stewart says this is a new retirement income option which will help some retirees tap into their biggest asset to bolster their income in retirement, without taking on debt. Kathryn also speaks with the Retirement Commission's Personal Finance Lead - Tom Hartmann.

09:20 Southern skin patients suffering with no specialist care: doctors

Doctors in the southern region say patients with severe skin conditions are suffering burn like symptoms, blistering and unbearable itching, without access to specialist care. There are no skin specialists working in public hospitals in the whole of the South Island and Health New Zealand cannot say when the situation will change. Last month, the only two locum dermatologists in the south resigned. Since then, Health NZ has not been accepting any dermatology outpatient referrals or appointments, referring patients back to their family doctor. Health NZ says it is actively seeking locum cover and trying to recruit permanent dermatologists. Hospitals in other parts of the country also often rely on locum dermatologists when they cannot make permanent appointments. The situation is alarming doctors and patients. Kathryn speaks with Dunedin GP Dan Pettigrew and the President of the Dermatological Society, Dr Louise Reiche.

09:30 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given his first interview to a local media outlet since Hamas' attack on October 7. And he spoke about the situation between Israel and Hezbollah - how bad is it getting? Meanwhile Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington for "critical" talks on Gaza and Lebanon.

Sebastian Usher is a BBC Middle East analyst, editor and reporter.

10:05 World leading procrastination expert Tim Pychyl

'I don't want to. I don't feel like it. I'll feel like it tomorrow.' That is what Tim Pychyl refers to as the lyrics of the procrastinator's song. Tim is now retired, but spent his career as a psychology academic at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He has spent his life trying to understand why we procrastinate and what it costs us as well as how to manage it better. The answer isn't about using a calendar or being more productive. It's about understanding the emotions lurking behind the choices we make, Tim says. Tim's book Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A concise guide to strategies for change was published in 2013 but it remans an accessible guide for dealing with their time-wasting demons. Tim spoke to Kathryn about procrastination and the tools we need to deal with it. 

10:35 New Forest & Bird president on 'critical time for nature'

Kate Graeme is the new President of Forest and Bird - the first woman to hold the role in its 101 year history. She has been on the board  for ten years and is involved in many other conservation projects. Her parents were both honored for their work with the Society and her mother, Ann, ran the Kiwi Conservation Club for years. Kate Graeme says she's taking on the role at one of the most critical times for wild life and wild places.

10:40 Book review: The Real Cowgirl by Isabelle Duff 

Joanna Ludbrook from Chicken and Frog Bookshop in Featherston reviews The Real Cowgirl by Isabelle Duff published by Exisle

10:45 Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin

Controversial Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark is staying put, despite multiple calls for him to resign. Tess goes through his well documented difficulties during his five years at the council, including making personal attacks. Invercargill councillors have voted to formally censure him but a motion to formally ask for his resignation has been defeated.

RNZ reporter in Dunedin covering Otago and Southland

11:05 Political commentators Brigitte Morten and Neale Jones

Neale and Brigitte dive into the recent infrastructure debacles - no power for Northland, a grounded Air Force plane, and a stranded ferry - what will it take, and how much will it take, to fix? And what did we learn from Parliament's 'scrutiny week'?

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 TV chef Robert Oliver's argument for taking back food sovereignty in the Pacific

Robert Oliver says Pacific nations have such a rich food culture, that it's time to put it front and centre. He's making the case for food sovereignty - giving back locals control over production and food systems that feed them and are part of their lives. Robert says each Pacific nation has its own particular style that is worth more than the food options that have come to dominate. Those are typically what is brought in by hotels, he says, and that has led to problems like obesity and a disconnect with local cultures. His new book Eat Pacific celebrates the best local recipes and makes the case for more food sovereignty in the region. Sir Colin Tukuitonga features in it as well - with some of his Niuean favourites.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy Warne is in Bali, to talk about his recent National Geographic expedition along the Kimberley coast of north-western Australia and onwards through several Indonesian islands.