09:05 'Huge distress': Post-grads students feel impact of AUT staff cuts

Post-graduate students are petitioning the Auckland University of Technology over academic staff cuts - saying it's hugely disruptive and will impact New Zealand's research sector. AUT planned to cut 170 academic positions - those affected had till last Thursday to take voluntary redundancy or face a compulsory layoff. The petition states the criteria for selecting which staff would go was based on unjust and flawed performance criteria - something backed by the Tertiary Education Union which is taking legal action against AUT on similar grounds. Susie talks to TEU organiser Jill Jones, and two PhD students: Sarah, and Melanie Welfare, who have both signed the petition requesting AUT reinstate staff.

AUT South Campus

AUT South Campus Photo: Supplied

09:30 Discarded hazardous household items causing rubbish and recycling truck fires 
 

Rubbish fire

Photo: supplied by Auckland Council

Concern is mounting about potentially life-threatening situations with rubbish and recycling truck fires are on the rise. In Auckland alone, there are several fires every couple of months week breaking out in the back of trucks, this is because people are disposing hazardous waste products in their kerbside collection bins. Parul Sood is the General Manager of the Auckland Council Waste Solutions and says the likes of batteries and gas bottles are highly flammable and it's imperative they're disposed of safely.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving : troubles for Trump

Ron outlines a catalogue for set backs for Donald Trump, including an Appeals Court decision in Atlanta, a dinner with anti-semites, and the social media post saying rules and regulations that prevent his immediate reinstatement as President should be terminated.

Former US president Donald Trump addresses guests at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on January 20, 2021.

Photo: Alex Edelman / AFP

Ron Elving is a Senior Editor and Correspondent, Washington Desk for NPR news 
 

10:05 The beautiful game governed by an ugly monster: FIFA Uncovered

The FIFA football world cup in Qatar is in the crucial knock-out phases, with the quarter finals on the weekend. Shock exits have come from Germany, and Belgium. But, it could be argued the football itself has taken a corner, overshadowed by the corruption that should have earned governing body FIFA a red card in the lead up to this world cup, also the last one in Russia,and others since the first tournament was first held in Uruguay in 1930. All this according to Netflix expose series FIFA Uncovered which tackles how football, sponsorship, politics, money and power all came to be in the same squad, and asks: how did Qatar get hosting rights (was it the fighter jet or the gas deal?)  FIFA Uncovered writer and producer Miles Coleman has exposed FIFA's unseemly moments, having been granted full access by FIFA to its archives and securing a very candid interview with controversial FIFA past president Sepp Blatter. Miles speaks with Susie from London.

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10:35 Book review: The Glass House by Brooke Dunnell

The Glass House by Brooke Dunnell, published by Fremantle Press

Photo: Fremantle Press

Elisabeth Easther reviews The Glass House by Brooke Dunnell, published by Fremantle Press

 

10:30 Around the motu : Tom Kitchin in Hawkes Bay

Tom Kitchin

Photo: Simon Dickinson

The latest on historic hut removal in Te Urewera, crime waves in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne and a warning about the treachery of Napier's Marine Parade beach in the city centre.  

Napier's Marine Parade beach

Photo: Tom Kitchin

10:45 The Reading

Part seven of Rebecca K Reilly's debut novel Greta and Valdin, told by Neenah Dekkers Reihana and Reon Bell. 

11:05 Business commentator Pattrick Smellie

Pattrick give his takes on the government's plan to legislate to make Google, Facebook and others pay for news. Also, why Auckland Council is looking to sell its stake in Auckland International Airport and is Christchurch likely to follow suit ?.

Fog at Auckland Airport.

Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell

Pattrick Smellie is the editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported on the New Zealand economy and business since 1983.

11:30 Tips for Christmas on a budget 

Andrew Hubbard from Citizens Advice Bureau joins Susie to talk through some tips for Christmas on a budget, and the support that's available if you're struggling. 

Christmas ham with mushrooms and vegetables

Photo: 123rf

11:45 Sports-chat with Sam Ackerman

Fans greet Black Ferns in Auckland

Photo: RNZ / Veronica Schmidt

With the recent widespread coverage of the Black Ferns’ road to victory at the Rugby World Cup, Sam discusses  how sport is represented in the media, and how that emphasis compares to covering the arts. Also he casts an eye over contenders for vacant posts in Rugby coaching and looks ahead to the summer sporting calendar, is it a feast or a famine?
 

Music played in this show

Track: Anything Could Happen
Artist: The Clean
Broadcast time: 9:45

Track: Have You Seen Her 
Artist: Chi-Lites
Broadcast time: 11:42