09:05 Alan Finkel on a green energy future and what it'll take to get there

Should we be investing in solar, wind, hydrogen or nuclear power? Carbon offsets or carbon credits? Alan Finkel was former Australian Chief Scientist from 2016 to 2020 he led the review of Australia's electricity market, the development of the national hydrogen strategy and the national low-emissions technology road map. He has been an adviser to industry and governments on both sides of politics across the Tasman. Now he has released his blueprint for the clean energy transition in a new book, called Powering Up: Unleashing the Clean Energy Supply Chain.

Alan Finkel, book cover

Photo: Supplied

09:30 KiwiSaver gender gap grows to 25%

The couple, who have permanent name repression, have spent their life's savings to quash the husband's convictions.

Photo: NZ Herald/Mike Scott

KiwiSaver balances are, not surprisingly, in retreat, as the recession bites. But research just released by the Retirement Commission shows the gender gap when it comes to KiwiSaver balances has grown larger, quicker. On average, men had a 25 percent greater KiwiSaver balance than women -- with the gap increasing five percent in just the last year. The widest gap is for women in their 40s and 50s - when the average difference reaches $14,500. Kathryn speaks to Dr Suzy Morrissey, the director of policy and research at the Retirement Commission.

09:35 Concerns proposed Therapeutics Bill will have consequences for shampoo, toothpaste and makeup

A collection of personal hygiene and body care products, including toothpaste, soap and body wash.

Photo: 123RF

There are concerns the Therapeutic Products Bill currently making its way through Parliament could have unintended consequences for the cosmetics industry. The wide-reaching bill replaces the Medicines Act, currently the main legislation governing access to medicines and medical devices  - and the Dietary Supplements Regulations which govern natural health products. The proposed changes would also overhaul the Sunscreen Act,  which was brought in just last year  -  making redundant the work more than 50 companies are doing to meet the new standard. It would also mean any makeup product with an SPF over 30 - such as a foundation or lip balm - would fall under the new requirements, despite their primary function not being a sunscreen. Cosmetics New Zealand is at pains to remind people their industry is not just 'mascara and lipstick', warning many shampoos and toothpastes could be regulated out of the market. Martha van Arts is the general manager at Cosmetics New Zealand.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

Ron says Ukraine and NATO are top of mind this week. Congress has returned but is very much at loggerheads. And former President Donald Trump continues to get bad news on the legal front but dominates the 2024 Presidential campaign picture as other candidates spin their wheels.

Former US president Donald Trump appears in court at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on April 4, 2023. - Former US president Donald Trump arrived for a historic court appearance in New York on Tuesday, facing criminal charges that threaten to upend the 2024 White House race. (Photo by Seth WENIG / POOL / AFP)

Photo: SETH WENIG

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

10:05 The Lucky Taco from chefs Sarah and Otis Frizzell 

Sarah and Otis Frizzell, who founded The Lucky Taco

Photo: supplied

Sarah and Otis Frizzell have had varied creative and business careers in New Zealand and overseas. Otis is a practising artist, a former hip-hop performer and tattoo artist, whose also worked in broadcasting. Sarah hails from the UK and was an award-winning art director in one of New Zealand's top advertising agencies, DDB. But while travelling on honeymoon in the US and Mexico, the pair fell in love with tacos and the iconic Californian taco trucks. Both passionate cooks, the Frizzells trained with one of the best chefs in Mexico, and in 2013 launched one of Aotearoa's first gourmet food trucks. As well as the food truck - named Lucky - their products are stocked in food retailers nationally. The pair have a cookbook out - the Lucky Taco.

10:35 Book review: In Memoriam by Alice Winn 

Photo: Penguin

Jenna Todd from Time Out Books reviews In Memoriam by Alice Winn published by Penguin

10:45 Around the motu : Kelly Makiha in Rotorua

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is standing for the Maori party in the general roll.

Photo: Andrew Warner

Kelly talks to Kathryn about Merepeka Raukawa-Tait standing in the Rotorua general electorate for Te Pati Maori. The trial is well underway of a leading  entertainment figure facing 25 charges relating to rape and sexual assault of nine different women and record rainfall is causing major issues in the Rotorua lakes area.

Rotoehu lake level has risen to a point where lakeshore homes are being swamped.

Rotoehu lake level has risen to a point where lakeshore homes are being swamped. Photo: Rotorua Daily Post

 

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist with the Rotorua Daily Post
 

11:05 Business: Online grocer Supie's plans for physical store, BNZ dumps text links

Supie, unmanned grocery store, text scam

Photo: Supie, BNZ, Wikicommons

Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson joins Kathryn to talk about expansion plans for Supie, the online-only supermarket that was founded two years ago and is seen as a third challenger to the duopoly of Foodstuffs and Countdown. It's raised nearly $4m and is now planning physical stores - but the difference will be that they're smaller and possibly unstaffed, something that's becoming common in Asia. And BNZ says it'll stop using links in text messages sent to customers after a spate of text scams targeting its customers.

Rebecca Stevenson  is a senior writer at interest.co.nz

 

11:25 A celebration of the Ford Cortina

Ford Cortinas

Photo: Gordon Campbell

There was a time when the Ford Cortina was ubiquitous in New Zealand. A hugely popular family car, or hotted up racer, seen up and down the country. Now a new book pays homage to all the Cortinas Marks I to V. Author and Cortina fan Gordon Campbell's book "Kiwis and Cortinas" places the car in New Zealand's motoring history. Gordon features 35 Ford Cortinas and their owners, from some who have just one Cortina to one who owns 12 and another who owns 26.

11:45 Sports-chat with Marc Hinton 

Following the All Blacks convincing defeat of Argentina, all eyes are on their upcoming clash with South Africa. Marc talks to Kathryn about whether the All Blacks are as good as the weekend's 41-12 result suggested in Mendoza. We are 9 days from the first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup, Marc explains why it’s time for NZ to get excited.In cricket, it’s now 2-1 in the Ashes series after England’s victory at Headingley, Wimbledon is at the Quarter Final stage and Lisa Adams strikes another gold at the World Para Athletics champs in Paris.

Lisa Adams celebrates after winning the shot put at the 2023 Para World Athletics Championships in Paris.

Lisa Adams celebrates after winning the shot put at the 2023 Para World Athletics Championships in Paris. Photo: Jodi Hanagan

Stuff senior sports writer Marc Hinton.

Music played in this show

Track: Desert Dove
Artist: Holly Arrowsmith
Time played: 11:26