Nine To Noon

09:05 Questions over pharmacy vaccinations amid Medsafe investigation

The greater role pharmacies are playing in administering vaccinations is under scrutiny after concerns were raised about three outlets in the South Island. As of last month, pharmacies around the country are able to provide several funded vaccines for under five-year-olds, which previously were only available through a GP practice. This is part of a bid by Te Whatu Ora and Pharmac to lift immunisation rates. Some GPs have expressed concern about the move, saying it would potentially lead to poorer health outcomes for children and families. Three South Island pharmacies are currently suspended from administering immunisations after allegedly giving adult patients unnecessary jabs, and inputting data incorrectly. Medsafe is investigating. Kathryn speaks with President of the Pharmaceutical Society which represents pharmacists Michael Hammond, and Dr Angus Chambers, is chair of GenPro - the General Practice Owners Association.

09:20 Waikato small business owners sound alarm over retail crime

Small business owners in Waikato are accusing the Government of breaking its promise to crack down on retail crime. The Minister of Justice, Police and Corrections, along with council officials and police spokespeople, fronted a frustrated crowd on Saturday, to discuss the growing number of brazen incidents in the area. Waikato liquor store owner Ash Parmar goes to work with a remote control for a fog canon, and a personal alarm, hanging around his neck. Amit Khanna owns a petrol station in Hamilton. He says after a ram raid, police dropped the boys responsible home, only for the same group to return three hours later.

09:30 Wanaka entrepreneur takes on competitive global outdoor gear market

KEA Outdoors was founded by Matt Butler, after his previous work a tour guide was wiped out virtually overnight when the borders closed during the Covid pandemic. The entrepreneur sells his outdoor survival kits around the world and says the pandemic proved the catalyst for him to turn his idea into reality. The company has been fully funded through product-focused crowdfunding campaigns and now has warehouses in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and China, shipping product to more than 50 countries. Matt Butler now has his sights on major expansion through a crowdfunding equity campaign.

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

The attempted assassination of the Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has sent shock waves around Europe, weeks before the European elections. The Netherlands is making a big shift to the right with the coalition of four right-wing parties. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cancelled all of his trips abroad as Russia steps up a new offensive near the city of Kharkiv.

10:05 Don't worry! Why it's okay to forget some things

Neuroscientist Dr Charan Ranganath says it's actually a good thing that we don't remember everything. Dr Ranganath is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California. His book, Why We Remember: The Science of Memory and How It Shapes Us,  shines a light on memory and the roles intention, imagination and emotion play in our brain's decision to store certain information.  He says that sometimes memories are purposefully innacurate, and that we've evolved to ditch some memories in order for us to hold onto crucial bits to guide us in the present.

10:35 Book review:  Hopurangi-Songcatcher: Poems from the Maramataka by Robert Sullivan 

Airini Beautrais reviews Hopurangi-Songcatcher: Poems from the Maramataka by Robert Sullivan published by Auckland University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Diane McCarthy in Whakatane

Submissions to Whakatāne District Council's long-term plan have councillors worried that residents do not know where to head in a tsunami alert. Diane says another submitter to the long term plan is so concerned about Whakatāne's total lack of preparedness for major civil defence emergency, she has organised for a team of scientists from GNS to hold a workshop and is inviting our community leaders to attend. And the town wharf in Opotiki is undergoing a major upgrade at the moment to accommodate commercial boats from local iwi Whakatōhea's mussel farm to berth there.

Local Democracy Reporter -Diane McCarthy is the Whakatane Beacon 

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones and Tim Hurdle

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, was the National Party Campaign Director in 2020. He is a director of several companies, including Museum Street Strategies, a public affairs firm.

11:45 Urban issues with Bill McKay: Toilets and the Building Code

Bill examines how New Zealand First's 'Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill' might work up against the Building Code. Are there really men's, women's and unisex toilets everywhere as Winston Peters has suggested? And what does good toilet design look like?

Bill McKay is Senior Lecturer, Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland