Nine To Noon

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Michele A'Court and Irene Pink with a lighter take on some recent stories.

Tess discusses the search for unmarked graves of mental asylum patients, hopes for an end to the entertainment drought at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr stadium, Central Otago District Council drops plan to dump human effluent on a local farm and a Dunedin surfer will captain New Zealand's youngest longboarding squad at the world championship in El Salvador.

Jack McConnell from Unity Books Auckland reviews Rose Tremain's The Housekeeper, a reimagining of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, and discusses film adaptations of the classic novel.

Bo Stjerne Thomsen is a former Head of Educational Impact at LEGO Education and an Honorary Professor of Entrepreneurship Education based in Billund, Denmark.

A Japanese reporter has been detained in the Russian territory of Sakhalin, a bridge that links China and North Korea has officially opened, dangerous levels of pollution in Singapore, and Vietnam buries war dead. Elizabeth Beattie is a journalist for The Japan Times based in Tokyo

Raihana Attaee was a judge and Maqsood Rezayee a university lecturer when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. The family - members of the Hazara minority ethnic group - now live in Auckland where Maqsood has just graduated with a PhD in urban planning and Raihana is preparing for admission to the High Court.

KiwiBudget is an app designed to specifically help manage the finances of New Zealanders, and especially working families.

Consumers considering subscription solar power plans are being warned to be clear about the terms and conditions they're locking themselves into.

Film and TV reviewer Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to talk what she's been watching.

Loneliness might sound more of an older person's problem, but research suggests it's young people who feel it most acutely.

A look at some of the common scams around - something that the average New Zealand will encounter a staggering 152 times per year.

RNZ Pacific correspondent Johnny Blades looks at contenders for the Rugby League World Cup, and more.

UK correspondent Harry Taylor joins Kathryn to look at the visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky with PM Andy Burnham.

Known for her vibrant take on food and travel, Peta Mathias' new book encourages home-cooks to have a go at hosting a so-called Supper Club.

Vaughan Fergusson created and sold the cloud retail platform, Vend, for $500m in 2021, joins Kathryn to talk about startup rules.

There's little consolation for Wellington ratepayers over the region's water entity, Tiaki Wai which is facing a backlog of repairs.

RNZ's Money Correspondent Susan Edmunds joins Kathryn to look at why this year's on track to be the worst for insolvencies since the global financial crisis.

Somi Kim is one of Aotearoa's leading concert pianists, and the official pianist of the NZTrio, described as a "national treasure" and "New Zealand's most indispensable ensemble".

Alexa has details of local election meetings, a new bridge for the Waikare Gorge and a new GP clinic for the rural town of Takapau.

Lucy Black reviews two books: The Starving Bride by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press), and Orsola by Linda Martelletti (Alpine Star Press).

Ryan Carey was born into the Geelong Revival Centre, a Pentecostal church in Australia where his father was second-in-command. But it was an environment of fear and control, where the authority of the church held sway over almost every aspect of daily life.

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche joins Kathryn to talk about Opposition leader Angus Taylor and how he's performing.

Lego, zine-making, an after-dark lighting show, and glassblowing - Palmerston North and Whanganui will host the Festival of Design this weekend.

Consumer says some households and businesses are facing large increases to their electricity lines charges from next year when the low fixed charge scheme is fully phased out.

Three years ago a shooting at a construction site in Auckland left three people dead and eight injured, including Shaun Winstanley - a police officer who was shot in the face. But an unexpected business has come out of his rehabilitation.

The All Blacks beat Australia convincingly at Eden Park to retain the Bledisloe Cup, as the NPC gets down to the final four teams.

New Zealand chef and author Mark Gregory has collected 150 practical tips and tricks in his new book, Home Sweet Hacks: Hacks and Hints for Kiwi Homes.

Gyles discusses recent political polls returning the coalition Government to office, as a new NZIER report paints a grim picture for young people trying to find a job.

Jared has the latest from a community meeting in Arrowtown about fast-track housing developments.

With cost of living front of mind for most households, pet owners are finding the expenses associated with their animal difficult to manage.

Dara Ó Briain, one of Ireland's best known comedians, is bringing a new show to New Zealand, drawing on some deeply personal material.

President Trump announces a ceasefire on Russia and Ukraine attacking energy infrastructure.

'Fix one thing' is how part of Auckland's Start Up week is being sold to participants.

A third of New Zealand households say they are struggling to provide affordable and nutritious meals.

Once a Trump devotee, Anthony Scaramucci is now one of the US President's most vocal critics.

Today Liz takes a look at historical land covenants and where they fit with rapidly changing planning rules. Increasingly, the courts are being asked whether some of these covenants have outlived their purpose as neighbourhoods, infrastructure and planning rules change - and rezoning alone does not wipe covenants away.

Emma Galloway on how to get back to the garden, or even to get started for first-timers, and then what to make with the produce grown.

Kathryn, Neale and Brigitte discuss recent events in politics, including latest polling that suggests NZ First is gaining support.

Keiller has the latest on suspicious deaths in Christchurch, including the homicide of two men in Phillipstown over the weekend and the discovery of missing man, Braydon Hepworth's body. She also has more details about the copper thieves hitting pivot irrigators and the city's hiphop summit comes to an end.

Kiran Dass reviews two books: Stations by Louise Kennedy (Bloomsbury Publishing), and The Vivisectors by Missouri Williams (HarperCollins).

Robert Vennell believes there are few countries as connected with its bird life as Aotearoa.

Saudi capital airport hit by second Houthi strike in two days; New Israel election poll shows Eisenkot leads Netanyahu, but both blocs without clear path to 61-seat majority; and Flydubai attacker began a 'drift towards extremism and terrorism' in Australia, UAE says. Sebastian Usher is Global affairs correspondent at BBC News, bringing us news from the Middle East

If you can't imagine the sound of a dog barking or hear your inner voice, you're not alone.

Gail Gillon, who founded Better Start Literacy Approach, discusses the results the programme has achieved since it was first introduced in schools in 2021.

Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds says everything Labour is planning is costed.

Bledisloe test week, New Zealand Rugby's legal battle with their Australian League counterparts, and Bathurst this Sunday.

Te Radar and James Nokise with a lighter take on some stories of the week.

Samantha discusses plans to revitalise Nelson's waterfront, calls for Sam's Creek to be included in Kahurangi National Park, the selection of a site for a weather radar to fill in a black spot at the top of the south and a local community raising funds to help a Nepalese woman fund cancer surgery.

Stella Chrisostomou of VOLUME Books reviews The Box: A Novel by Mandy-Suzanne Wong (Pan Macmillan), Spent Light by Lara Pawson (Text Publishing), Olivetti by Allie Millington (Pan Macmillan).