VLC 3.0.17.3 & .4 python error on macosx Monterey

Running on Apple mac mini M1 running macosx Monterey 12.6

Trying to compile VLC source for both 3.0.17.3 and 3.0.17.4 using ../extras/package/macosx/build.sh -c and get the following error. Both build as expected until the following point.

Note: have set "alias python=python3" and python does in fact work:

build % ../extras/package/macosx/build.sh -c  
[build] Building VLC for macOS for architecture x86_64 on a aarch64 device
[build] Building in "/Users/CT/temp/VLC/VLC-GIT-30174/vlc/build"
[build] Building building tools
protoc too old
ninja not found
To-be-built packages:  protoc ninja
(cd ninja; ./configure.py --bootstrap && mv ninja /Users/CT/temp/VLC/VLC-GIT-30174/vlc/extras/tools/build/bin/)
env: python: No such file or directory
make: *** [.buildninja] Error 127
build % 
build % python
Python 3.9.2 (v3.9.2:1a79785e3e, Feb 19 2021, 09:08:59) 
[Clang 12.0.0 (clang-1200.0.32.29)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> ^D
build % 

Please advise best way to fix as I can't move forward with updates to my code until I can get past this. Thanks.