Nine To Noon for Thursday 10 August 2023

 

 

09:05 U-turn on plans to require affordability checks for Buy Now Pay later schemes

Budgeting services are frustrated at the Government's u-turn on plans which would require Buy Now Pay Later providers to do affordability checks before giving out loans. Officials had proposed requiring the checks on anyone borrowing more than $600, to make sure it wouldn't send them into a debt spiral. It prompted pushback from the Buy Now Pay Later industry, who argued they already protect consumers by freezing accounts when a payment is missed. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Duncan Webb has now concluded the checks would be "too onerous" given the providers only offer short-term, low-value loans. But David Verry, a financial mentor with North Harbour Budgeting Services and a former banker, claims the Government is "going soft on consumer protection".

09:20 Sextortion cases on the rise

Netsafe is reporting an 88 percent rise in cases of sextortion since 2019. It is a type of blackmail when someone threatens to share a nude image or sexually explicit video of you online - unless you pay them or provide more sexual content. Netsafe has received reports from victims from as young as 10, to over the age of 65. The majority of reported cases are from men, though women can be impacted too. NZ Police told it cannot provide data specific to offending where it is linked to the use of a dating app. However it says anecdotally offending linked to dating apps, social media, or other online platforms is a reality that people need to be aware of. Netsafe chief online safety officer Sean Lyons speaks with Susie Ferguson.

09:30 Study on cost and nutrition of plant-based meat alternatives finds not all meat-free meals are equal

New research suggests meat alternatives like plant based burger patties and sausages are more expensive and less healthy than traditional vegetarian staples such as lentils, beans and chickpeas. The study, by Dr Leanne Young, public health dietitian and researcher at the University of Auckland's School of Population Health, looked at the nutritional and cost value of meat alternatives, and found that not all meat-free meals are equal.  Dr Young says not only will fake meat cost more, but it tends to be highly processed and higher in fat and sodium.

09:45 UK: 40m voter details hacked, NI police detail breach, immigration row

UK correspondent Matt Dathan joins Susie to talk about a cyber attack of the Electoral Commission, that's left the names and addresses of 40 million voters in the hands of the hackers - and has raised major concerns about the impact on public trust in the elections watchdog. Another big data breach has also exposed the names and details of 10,000 serving officers in Northern Ireland, but In this case, it was the result of human error. The Tory party has been embroiled in another major row about immigration and England is celebrating its team's success in making the quarter finals of the Women's World Cup.

10:05 "Even ordinary life has an epicness to it": filmmaker Celine Song

Filmmaker Celine Song's first feature film is being described as the best Sundance Festival debut in years. Past Lives is a modern-day love story, centered on the lives two childhood sweethearts, separated when one - Nora - leaves South Korea for the US. Song, known for unorthodox and confrontational plays, wrote the film script in 2018, weaving in parallels of her own life as an immigrant to Canada. Her previous works include the critically acclaimed broadway show Endlings, and she also, among other projects, directed a live production of Chekhov's The Seagull using The Sims 4 on Twitch for New York Theatre Workshop. Past Lives is screening as part of the New Zealand Film Festival. She speaks with Susie Ferguson. Past Lives is screening as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival.

10:35 Book review:  Porn: An Oral History

Kiran Dass reviews Porn: An Oral History by Polly Barton

10:45 Around the motu : Che Baker in Southland

Che Baker, editor of the Southland Times,  talks about former New Zealand Idol contestant and now MoreFM broadcaster Steve Broad officially being confirmed the winner of a by-election and sworn in this week. Also Gore has a problem with feral cats and Invercargill's Queen's Park has issues with trees falling over.

11:05 Tech: AI vs account security, firearms breach, Microsoft hack, MikroTik routers

Technology correspondent Tony Grasso joins Susie to talk about how the security questions we rely on to our secure our accounts ..."what's your mum's maiden name?", "your first pet's name" could be vulnerable in the age of AI. A simple process error was behind the release of names on the Firearms Register, Tony looks at how it could've been avoided. Microsoft has been the subject of an attack by Chinese hackers, while the GCSB says Russia was behind a DDoS attack on the Parliamentary website and Tony will talk about why he believes MikroTik routers should be avoided.

11:25 The Bonsai Child - is modern parenting limiting our children's potential?

According to clinical psychologist Judith Locke, modern parenting is often good intentions gone too far and doesn't set our kids up with essential life skills. She says we're creating bonsai children - those who thrive only when the conditions are perfect. She joins Susie to talk about how can we build their resilience and help them face challenges, especially as they head into exam season.

11:45 Screentime: Only Murders in the Building s3, Men in Kilts s2, Heart of Stone

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Susie to talk about the big names joining season three of Only Murders in the Building (Disney+), the second season of Men in Kilts starring Outlander's Sam Heughan and Heart of Stone (Netflix)

Music played in this show

Track:Milestones
Artist:Mark Murphy
Time played: 09:45