Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

It's still unclear how Google's decision to block Huawei will affect New Zealand users.An executive order from Donald Trump has forced Google to stop Huawei accessing its operating system and apps.Over time, people may lose access to functions and popular apps like Uber.Telecommunications Users Association chief executive Craig Young told Kerre McIvor it's probably not good news."I think we're at the mercy of the American government and their view on China. Huawei has been dragged into a larger geo-political storm."He says that Huawei provides very cost-effective phones, and many people who use them enjoy them, and find features such as the cameras more useful than other models. Young says that those who already have the phones will still receive security updates through Google, but the big question is over what will happen next. App developers will also have to debate whether to create a new version of their products to be used specifically on the Huawei operating system. He also says that their removal from the market will change how he pay for phones and our access. "It could have a considerable impact on the global phone market, not just in China." Here are the other big questions that linger over the sanctions: Why did Google suspend its business with Huawei?Google says it is complying with a ban put in place last Friday by the Trump administration, which bars US companies from supplying technology to Huawei on the grounds the White House considers it a security threat (a claim Huawei staunchly denies).Why does it matter for the phone market?Google's Android software is used by almost every phone maker outside Apple on almost all of their models. If you own a Huawei phone, it runs on Android, and downloads apps from Google - and other companies - via Google's Play Store ( (Google's equivalent to Apple's App Store and iTunes) and uses Google services like Maps.How will the ban hit my Huawei phone today?There will be no immediate effect. It will keep working as usual. And you'll still be able to use the likes of Google Maps and Search, and you'll still be able to download the latest versions of apps like Gmail from Google Play.A Google spokeswoman told the Herald, "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications. For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices."Will future Huawei phones be able to use Android?"Existing Huawei devices", is very much the operative phrase in the above paragraph.Google is playing for time while it assesses its options around supporting future models of Huawei phones, and whether current Huawei phones will be able to upgrade to the next major version of Android which would mean they potentially miss out on whatever new features the operating system software upgrade includes.As things stand, it seems unlikely future Huawei phones will be certified for the Google Play store, and that while they could have a bare-bones version of Android, they could miss out on key features like Google Maps, cloud storage with Google Drive, YouTube, Google Photos and Google Duo video calls.Many of these services could still be accessed via a phone's web browser, but it would be a lot more finicky than using Android apps.Would that be the end for Huawei's handset business?No, the Chinese company has reportedly been working on its own mobile operating system software, in case a ban went into place, and its own online store, the little-known App Gallery. But its customers would lose the familiarity of Android, and the convenience of downloading apps and content from Google Play. So it would be a major blow.It's true that Android (bought by Google in 2005) is open source, meaning any company can use it for free. But it's of limited appeal if Google does end up...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cancellation of the Jeremy Kyle Show is sparking a major debate about reality TV in the UK.British broadcaster ITV has permanently cancelled the tabloid talk show, which had run for 14 years and specialized in emotive, confrontational showdowns. It comes after 63-year-old Steve Dymond was found dead at a home in Portsmouth, southern England, on May 9 shortly after his appearance on the programme. Media reported that he had killed himself. Police said the death was not suspicious, and a post-mortem will be held to determine the cause.On an episode filmed earlier this month, Dymond took a lie-detector test to convince his fiancee that he had not been unfaithful, but was told he had failed.Other stories are now emerging of traumatic events being linked to the show, and deaths stemming from other shows such as Love Island UK. UK correspondent Stuart Hughes told Kerre McIvor that a pattern is beginning to emerge, and TV makers are being accused of failing in their duty of care."That duty of care issue is one that is going to be addressed at a much deeper level by TV executives, and now parliamentarians are wading in."One of those MPs is the Prime Minister herself, with Downing Street releasing a statement calling the case "deeply disturbing". "Broadcasters and production companies have a responsibility for the mental health and well-being of participants and viewers of their programmes," they said."We are clear they must have appropriate levels of support in place."Hughes says that the bad headlines are building up, and MPs are being forced to act. "The issue with these programmes is are they putting people at risk who might be vulnerable, at a point in their lives where they are unable to foresee the consequences for them and their families." TVNZ has announced they too have pulled the show from their schedule. Where to get help:If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.Or if you need to talk to someone else:Lifeline – 0800 543 354Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (for under 18s)What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds 1pm–10pm weekdays and 3pm–10pm weekends)Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202Samaritans – 0800 726 666OUTLine NZ – 0800 688 5463Healthline – 0800 611 116See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Removing cars from Wellington's Golden Mile is being seen as a sensible initiative, not just a bold idea.Wellington Mayor Justin Lester has made an election promise to make the Capital more people-focused.Auckland Council design champion, Ludo Campbell-Reid says cities like Edinburgh, Paris, London and Melbourne have been doing the same.He says pedestrian malls have downstream benefits.Campbell-Reid says more people are attracted to the city and spend more money in shops, and it's better for your well-being and air quality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An international lawyer says New Zealand could act as a peace broker to a region at the other end of the world.The US, China, and Russia are butting heads in the Arctic, vying for a piece of the resource-rich area.China - has no territory in the Arctic circle - but has a seat on the Arctic Council as an observer.Harrison Clark Rickerbys Law Head of International, Nicolas Groffman, told Kerre McIvor New Zealand has Arctic expertise  - and could have the same role.He says that goes back to leading convoys through the circle in the second world war.Groffman says that means New Zealand could make a claim for an observer seat on the Arctic Council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Shaw says the Zero Carbon Bill will be too much for some and too little for others, but they have to do more than simply plant trees. Details of the Government's long-awaited climate change laws were unveiled today, setting out a 30-year plan to help limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.Farmers will be happy methane - the gas mainly produced by agriculture - is exempt from a target of reducing all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.The methane target is 10 percent reduction by 2030.The Bill will also establish the independent Climate Change Commission, set five-yearly emissions budgets as stepping stones, and require the Government to help combat growing threats like flooding and fires.The Climate Change Minister told Kerre McIvor the bill is based on scientific research from New Zealand and overseas."The science about what it's going to take for us across the whole economy, not just farmers, to live within 1.5 degrees of global warming." Shaw says that there are some figures that don't have a New Zealand context, such as around biological methane emissions.The Climate Change Commission will now have to give the Government a definitive answer by 2024 on that and other matters."There is a range of uncertainty, and we want to give people more predictability and certainty than that." He says that every part of society and the economy has to work together to lower emissions and improve our climate.Shaw says that there are some areas around energy, such as more solar and wind, where we are falling behind and we can improve.When it comes to other countries and their emissions, Shaw says that they have a commitment to help countries that are lesser off through this transition. "We do have a historic responsibility there. Not every country in the world is pulling their weight, but the momentum is building, and I think before too long the countries that are pulling their weight are going to look at those that aren't and ask why."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boris Johnson is being taken to court over claims he made during the Brexit referendum campaign.A crowd-funded private prosecution against the Brexiteer is due to begin next week.The private prosecutor, Martin Ball, has accused Johnson of knowingly lying, when he claimed Britain sends the EU 350 million pounds a week that it could otherwise spend on healthcare.UK correspondent Stuart Hughes told Kerre McIvor that the claim was widely believed, but was totally false."It was pointed out to the VoteLeave campaign at the time."He says that the real figure was actually half what Johnson claimed. Despite it being repeatedly debunked, Hughes says that it seems to have stuck in people's consciousness."More than two years later, more than 40 per cent of people who saw that figure still thought it was true, even though it was pointed out time and time again that it wasn't."Ball believes that Johnson and other politicians should be held to account for their lies, Hughes says. However, it will be up to the courts to determine if Johnson lied or if he simply spun the figures.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's bug man says humans need to have a more plant based diet for a more sustainable future.The latest UN report shows that 1 million species are at risk of extinction for the first tine in human history.Ruud Kleinpaste told Kerre McIvor he agrees that human activity is to blame through environmental destruction, climate change, and consumption.Kleinpaste is positive, however, that New Zealand can be an exemplar to the rest of the world."We caused it, but we have the creativity to do something about it. I am teaching teachers to teach outside, so we regulate teachers and kids back to how the natural systems operate."He says he is focusing on this group as young people are more evolved and aware of environmental concerns.However, Kleinpaste says that we have a lot of answers already about what can be done. "Things like eating fewer items of meat and having a more plant based diet is really important."Kleinpaste says that there needs to be more education on birth control to stop the population growing exponentially, and land should be used better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Double Olympic 800-metre champion Caster Semenya has had her appeal dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Former competitor Madeleine Pape shares her thoughts on Semenya as a role model and questions the science behind the decision. The podcast dives into the complexities of determining the role of testosterone in athletic ability. It also explores the ongoing debate on testosterone levels in women's sports and discusses the potential impact of Semenya's eligibility decision.

Professional racing driver Greg Murphy says enough is enough when it comes to fatalities on our roads.Eight people been killed after yet another head-on collision yesterday morning between Taupo and Tokoroa.It makes April the deadliest month on the roads in a decade with 45 deaths to date.Greg Murphy told Kerre McIvor it's not the roads or speed that's the problem, it's the people driving the cars."People behind the wheel don't have the skills, don't have the training, don;t have the awareness, don't understand things about our vehicles, about tyres, about Warrant of Fitness, about so many things. We just hand over a license so very, very easily."He wants to see better driver training and more frequent license testing.Murphy says part of the problem is people are only scraping through their driving tests."Things change. Vehicles change, people change, more people on the road. More reason why we should have to re-sit and re-learn."He believes says it's far too easy to get a license given the skills required on the road.Murphy wants to see more support and resource needs to be put into upskilling drivers."The right amount of driving training by a professional driving instructor or going to a course costs money. A lot of people don't have the money, a lot of people can't be bothered."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new political poll has once again shown bad news for National, but does it really matter? The Colmar Brunton poll for 1 News puts Labour on 48 per cent and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on 51 per cent approval.For National, they were down to 40 per cent, while Simon Bridges is lingering on five per cent. Kerre McIvor argues that while Simon Bridges needs to go, the new 1News poll doesn't reflect the Government's policy plans.But, given that the elections aren't for another 18 months, is there any point in getting worked up over polling now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.