As a "superannuated" member of RNZ's regular audience I agree with your observations. Confrontational interviewing techniques are counterproductive, in my view, often preventing the completion of a useful argument or piece of information that the audience really wanted to hear. Yes, Kim Hill does this too, from time to time, but principally out of enthusiasm for the topic being discussed. I much prefer the more balanced style of Geoff Robinson and Simon Mercep, I don't think Susie Ferguson is likely to irritate as much as Sean Plunkett did and Mary Wilson still occasionally does.