Nine To Noon for Monday 21 August 2023

09:05  Rise in scams & fraud: How are banks responding?

Earlier this month Nine to Noon looked at the issue of online fraud and whether banks could - and should - be doing more to protect customers' losses.  Kathryn spoke with Jon Duffy from Consumer NZ about whether the New Zealand Code of Banking Practice was robust enough to protect Kiwi bank users, and anti-scam consultant Bronwyn Groot about the increasing sophistication of scammers. Millions are being stolen from Kiwis each year - likely a gross underestimate of the true situation because many victims feel embarrassed and don't report their losses. Nine to Noon has been seeking a discussion with the heads of the major banks in New Zealand to talk about the rise of online scams and how they're dealt with. Only one agreed.  This morning Kathryn speaks with ANZ's CEO Antonia Watson.   

09:30 Ex Gloriavale residents sceptical about proposed anti slavery laws

Former Gloriavale residents say they're sceptical about government plans to pass a law banning modern slavery, saying nothing has been done to stop the practice over decades at the West Coast Christian community. A proposed law change will require companies making more than $20 million annually to publicly report on how they are minimising exploitation. Last month six former Gloriavale women won a dramatic legal victory they say vindicates their claims of labour exploitation. The Employment Court found that the women were employees at the community, contrary to the arguments from Gloriavale and the findings of the Labour Inspectorate. The judge found that none of the plaintiffs were given a choice about whether they worked in the Gloriavale kitchen or laundry, that the decision was assigned at birth.The judgement also found the work was  - quote - "unrelenting, grinding, hard, and physically and psychologically demanding". Gloriavale is appealing the decision. Meanwhile the Christian community's leader Howard Temple has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual offending against girls over more than 20 years. Kathryn speaks with former Gloriavale resident and one of the plaintiffs in the Employment Court case, Pearl Valour and the group's lawyer Brian Henry.

09:45 Europe: Spain celebrates World Cup win, Russia's Luna mission crashes and burns

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney joins Kathryn to talk about Spain's victory in the Fifa Women's World Cup, with fans saying they hope the win will boost the profile of the sport and put them on equal footing with men's teams. The team's success was even more remarkable given the reports of a breakdown in relations between players and the coach Jorge Vilda. Russia's plans to reclaim its space credentials has suffered a massive blow, with the loss of its Luna-25 rocket. And , Ukraine has received a boost from the Netherlands and Denmark, which have announced they will supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

10:05  Rhys Buckingham and the bird that doesn't want to be found

For over 40 years, Rhys Buckingham has been in search of the bird that doesn't want to be found. The orange-wattled South Island kōkako, also dubbed the 'grey ghost' is assumed to be extinct by the Department of Conservation, with no confirmed reports. But throughout the years enthusiasts have largely remained hopeful with some possible sightings and recordings of the bird's organ-like call. And thanks to funding from Re:wild, an American Conservation project, the search continues. Rhys is a founder of the The South Island Kōkako trust.

10:30 Tropical storm Hilary makes landfall in Mexico, moving onto California

A major tropical storm has brought strong winds and heavy rain to Mexico's Baja California region, and is now barrelling towards the southwest of the United States. Forecasters are warning the storm could trigger life-threatening and "catastrophic" flooding amid historically large rainfall. One person has died in Mexico as flash flooding turns roads into rivers, and in southern California, heavy rains and fierce winds have already begun to cause chaos, with California now in a state of emergency. Plus, as the region hunkers down for the approach of tropical storm Hilary, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit Southern California, north of Los Angeles, just a short time ago. Kathryn gets the latest from local correspondent Ira Spitzer in Berkeley, California.

10:35 Book review: Good Vibes by Alby Hailes 

Harry Broad reviews Good Vibes by Alby Hailes published by HarperCollins NZ

10:45 Around the motu: Georgina Campbell in Wellington

NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell speaks to Kathryn Ryan as yet another building is deemed earthquake-prone. The council has been given seven and a half years to strengthen the Opera House and Michael Fowler Centre. Meanwhile Hutt Hospital's Heretaunga block may not be earthquake-prone after all, new documents show. And the Government is taking the reins on the 'Let's Get Wellington Moving' roading project. Finally, some happy news for mayor Tory Whanau's dog, Teddy, after he was kicked out of her office.

Georgina Campbell is NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter 

11:05 Political commentators Morton and Gareth Hughes

Gareth and Brigitte join me to talk about Labour's big week of policy announcements - we'll break them down and look at how and when they'll be paid for. We'll look at the politics of paid parental leave, MPs' valedictory speeches, what the polls are reporting and the Winston Peters conundrum for National.

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.

Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.

11:30 Mint Cakery: How a farmers market stall evolved into a baking career

New cookbook Mint Cakery is the accumulation of countless late nights and early mornings for Michelle Morfett. At just 22, the budding baker began selling her goods at Auckland's Hobsonville Farmers Market, and eventually opened a store at Point Chevalier. Over the years she jotted down notes and business ideas in what she called her "spontaneous decisions book". Now a mother, 30-year-old Michelle has self-published her first recipe book, dedicated to the goods which fly off the shelves at her store.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Today Kennedy speaks to Nine to Noon from Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, where he is spending two weeks with a National Geographic group experiencing the glaciers, waterfalls, thermal areas, volcanoes and seas of this island of ice and fire.