Nine To Noon for Wednesday 9 July 2025

09:05 New website aims to make switching banks easier  

Sick of your bank but overwhelmed by how switching might work? A new website launched in June hopes to change the perception that changing banks is too hard. In its market study into personal banking released last year, the Commerce Commission found half of New Zealanders had never switched banks, and thought switching had little benefit. The Commission says customer inertia means there is a lack of competitive pressure on the big four banks, which enjoy 85 to 90 per cent of the market. It is echoed by the smaller banks which complained to the Commission last year that the inertia made it hard for them to attract customers. The Commission also criticised a switching service run by the banks own governance organisation Payments NZ since 2010 - saying it wasn't working and that no assessment on its effectiveness was done. In response to that Payments NZ has revamped the service into a new website, 'Ready to Switch'. The website explains how it works, including transferring things like automatic payments and direct debits to a new bank. Steve Wiggins is chief executive of Payments NZ, and speaks to Kathryn about the new website. Commerce Commission chair John Small, also speaks about what benefits increased levels of switching could bring.    

09:20 Preserving New Zealand's unique marine environments

New Zealand is known for having one of the most unique marine environments on the planet.The Department of Conservation describes this country as a world hotspot for biodiversity not just on land, but also at sea. Experts estimate up to 85% of New Zealand's  wildlife could be in the ocean. But campaigners want more done to ensure this biodiversity and the marine environment is preserved. Raewyn Peart,  the Policy Director Environmental Defence Society, believes this country is now far behind international best practice both in legislation and with the protections in place for special marine areas. She is drawing up proposals for reform backed by case studies on the Marlborough Sounds,  the Otago Coast and most recently the Bay of Islands. 

09:45 Australia: Mushroom murder, lion takes woman's arm, child abuse CCTV

Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst looks at how the verdict in the mushroom murder trial fixated media around the world, as attention now turns to whether Erin Patterson will appeal her conviction. A woman lost an arm at a Queensland Zoo, and the childcare centre which employed an alleged abuser is promising to rollout CCTV.

10:05 Tamaiti Williams on anxiety, and fatherhood

All Black Tamaiti Williams is in recovery mode after having surgery to fix a meniscus injury at the end Super Rugby season. The tighthead prop played a leading role for the Canterbury Crusaders in a final that saw the  black-and-reds return to Super Rugby supremacy after a disappointing 2024.   While he rehabs his knee, Williams and other  rugby stars are opening up on their physical and mental health challenges, as part of a campaign by All Blacks' partner, Bupa.  Tamaiti Williams speaks of his experience of anxiety, particularly with the premature birth of his now 15-month-old daughter, Kaea. Tamaiti's partner Alice Weir had a difficult pregnancy with pre-eclampsia. Kaea was born 3 months early - and then had a long period of hospital stays.

10:30 Michael Andrew: magazine publishing in the digital age

Now does not seem like the right time to take on a print magazine - consumers are well and truly ensconced in the digital age and competition in the media market is fierce. And yet that's exactly what Michael Andrew did one year ago - buying the NZ Lifestyle Block publication for the princely sum of $1. He joins Kathryn with an update on the renamed On The Land magazine.  

10:35 Book review: Jamaica Road by Lisa Smith 

Elisabeth Easther reviews Jamaica Road by Lisa Smith published by Hachette

10:45 Around the motu: Samantha Gee in Nelson

Tasman region still in recovery mode from flooding, with more heavy rain on the way, no more coal for Nelson hospital, and Nelson St John paramedics desperate for bigger ambulance station.

11:05 Music with Kirsten Zemke: Songs about climate change

Music correspondent Kirsten Zemke looks at songs over the past 50 years that have tried to focus attention on issues like climate change and damage done to the environment. 

"Big Yellow Taxi" Joni Mitchell 1970

"Recycling Song" Jack Johnson 3Rs 2006 

"Pollution" Tom Lehrer 1967

"Four Degrees" Anohni 2016 

"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" Marvin Gaye 1971

Kirsten Zemke is an ethnomusicologist at the University of Auckland's School of Social Sciences.

11:20 Dr Susan Parry on her stellar medical career 

When Susan Parry was growing up in the 1960s she was discouraged from becoming a doctor. She prevailed, and went on to hold senior clinical roles including Head of Gastroenterology at Middlemore Hospital, She helped to establish the National Bowel Screening Programme. Earlier this year she became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to her chosen field. Dr Susan Parry talks to Kathryn Ryan about her proudest achievements and the importance of work/life balance. 

11:45 Work: What's in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill

Law commentator Charles McGuinness, of McGuinness Employment Law based in Wellington joins Kathryn to discuss what's in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill that's been introduced to Parliament.

Charles McGuinness is an employment lawyer in Wellington