Nine To Noon

RMA changes: transformational or concerning?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government has unveiled its shake-up of planning controls, promising property owners will have more freedom to do more with their own land. 

Transpower warns lake drawdown could be expensive

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Transpower says that allowing the major South Island hydro lakes to be drawn down further would leave the country exposed to rolling blackouts, in a w...

Sports correspondent Marc Hinton

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There's been world cup draws in rugby and football, and in cricket New Zealand and England fail to deliver in their respective test matches. 

The story of a fraudster and bigamist condemned to the gallows

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Stoddart on his book Outcast: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Etienne Jean Brocher - about the 1896 double murder of an elderly shopkeepin...

Business commentator Calida Stuart-Menteath

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Calida Stuart-Menteath on the prefab home builder Nook going under and continued trouble at the Financial Markets Authority - with chair Craig Stobo ...

Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tess reports on Woolworths in Dunedin South pleading guilty over a rat infestation, Dunedin Council agrees to a housing outreach service and super sno...

Book review: The Way to Spell Love by Nina Nola

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gail Pittaway reviews The Way to Spell Love by Nina Nola, published by The Cuba Press.

100 years of the Auckland Tramping Club

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Auckland Tramping Club has a new book out celebrating its centenary. It's packed with tales from the huts, trails and picnic spots discovered by ...

USA correspondent David Smith

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump is facing bipartisan outrage after video showed U.S. military "double-tap" strikes killing unarmed survivors in alleged cartel boats, ...

Kiwi entrepreneur tackling AI robotics programming

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A New Zealand entrepreneur is working to tackle a major bottleneck in robotics - testing artificial intelligence in the physical world - with his so...

Assistant principal calls for change to teacher pay scale

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A teacher of 23 years says it's unfair those who trained prior to the 2000s are now unable to reach the highest pay level unless they undergo extra tr...

Govt to take over what councils charge developers

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A developer in Auckland is backing the Government taking control of what new housing pays for local infrastructure.  

Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, with holidays just around the corner, Kennedy does a whistlestop south-to-north tour, offering 10 of his favourite off-the-beaten-track localit...

40 years of Jazz and Envy apples

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How 20 years of development to produce Scifresh and Scilate apples, lead to the later commercialisation of Jazz and Envy apples. 

Political commentators Dale Husband and Ben Thomas

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dale, Ben and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the latest on expelled Te Pāti Māori MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris. ...

Around the motu: Tom Hunt in Wellington

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom talks about opponents joining forces to oppose road changes and a new planned tunnel, a new world class music festival for the capital, Wellington...

Book review: How to end a Story:

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jane Westaway reviews How to End a Story: Collected Diaries 1978-1998 by Helen Garner.

The teachers who blew the whistle on sexual exploitation

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

John and Elisa Mendzela were teachers at Keravat College in a newly-independent Papua New Guinea when they uncovered evidence of abuse of students an...

Foreign correspondent Daniel Schweimler

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

US President Donald Trump has been ramping up pressure on Venezuela's leader, President Nicolás Maduro, Trump grants a pardon to former Honduran Pres...

Sir Geoffrey Palmer sounds the alarm

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The coalition government has this year pushed on with a large programme of new legislation amid growing concerns about increased power being handed to...

Figures show addictions court is slashing reoffending rates

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 Ministry of Justice figures show the specialist addictions court is improving re-offending outcomes at rates far higher than the prison-based initia...

The week that was

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Comedians Pinky Agnew and Donna Brookbanks bring some of the lighter stories of the past week, including the latest stats on how many butter chickens ...

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sam discusses a big week for Liam Lawson, the All Blacks World Cup draw, Black Caps, Ashes and the A-League derby.

Around the motu: Kereama Wright reports on Whakatane

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kereama discusses a local rahui on collection of seafood and Whakatane's major Nándor Tánczos on government plans to restrict rates increases

Music reviewer Jeremy Taylor

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Taylor from Slowboat Records plays a brand new track from The Phoenix Foundation, new music from Dijon, who has co-produced Bon Iver and Justin...

Book review: Queen Esther by John Irving

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Adler of Unity Books Wellington reviews Queen Esther by John Irving, published by Simon & Schuster.

Medical drone trial a success, what next?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A drone successfully delivered medical supplies to a remote island in the Western Bay of Plenty last week. 

Genre-defying, Grammy-winning soprano Julia Bullock

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Julia Bullock is a Grammy Award-winning American classical soprano who'll be performing in New Zealand early next year as part of the Auckland Arts Fe...

Pacific correspondent Moera Tuilaepa

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

RNZ Pacific's Moera Tuilaepa with the latest from the region.

Assessments start of damage from Tongariro National Park fire

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Tongariro fire earlier this month left nearly 3,000 hectares of the national park scorched.

Record number of new listings hit rental market

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The number of rental properties on the market has climbed to an 18-month high, according to the online listings platform realestate.co.nz. 

Retirement Village law overhaul : does it go far enough?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The biggest overhaul of retirement village laws in two decades promises clearer rules and stronger protections for residents.

Screentime:

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Film and television reviewer Tom Augustine joins Kathryn to look at how the latest Knives Out mystery starring Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc ...

Sibling rivalry: a normal part of growing up?

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is competition, jealousy, and conflict between brothers and sisters a normal part of growing up? While bickering and nitpicking can be hard for parent...

AI agents: What are they and who's liable if things go wrong?

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tech commentator Alex Sims looks at computer programs that use artificial intelligence to pursue goals and tasks with minimal input.

Around the motu: Ché Baker on Southland

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ché discusses the decision to pay $500,000 to remove large trees in Invercargill's central business district, Tiwai Point Aluminium smelter plans to ...

Book review:

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Diamond reviews 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal edited by Carwyn Jones and Maria Bargh, published by Huia Publishers.

Govt proposes shift in retirement village legislation

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government's long-awaited changes to the retirement villages legislation have been announced. 

Kite Runner to The Crown: Khalid Abdalla on his remarkable career as an actor and activist

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

He's known for his roles in movies including The Kite Runner, Green Zone and United 93, as well as playing Dodi Fayed in The Crown.

UK: Rachel Reeves faces claims she 'mislead' over Budget

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our UK correspondent looks at why Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been facing claims she mislead the public about the nation's finances.

New wastewater standards explained

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand has its first national wastewater standards - after Cabinet agreed to new rules that will come into force on December 19. 

Horowhenua Trust secures Social Investment Fund

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Social Investment Agency has revealed the first organisations to be given backing from its $190 million fund. The agency was set up just over a ye...

Stats NZ stands by decision

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stats NZ admits there is work to be done to ensure data collected under the modernised census plan is robust, but stands by the decision to move away ...

Science with Jen Martin: Kiss evolution + seagull shouting

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Science commentator Jen Martin joins Kathryn with three fascinating studies. The first suggests that kissing may have evolved 21.5 million years ago. ...

Tuhoe history: 'Children of the Mist' re-published

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One hundred years after it was first published, the substantial history of Tuhoe, "Children of the Mist" by ethnologist Elsdon Best, is back in booksh...

Book review:

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Broad reviews Over Alps and Plains in Cobb's Name by Peter Savage, published by Peter Savage.

Around the motu: Jonathan McKenzie

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan discusses the national Facebook group formed by a Hamilton mother to investigate further action over contaminated coloured sand, young Hamilt...

The most popular books at the library this year

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The latest statistics are out on what books were most borrowed from libraries this year. They show readers in the biggest cities often turned to stori...

'Brain-boosting' mushrooms now growing in NZ

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A variety of a well-known mushroom touted as having brain boosting qualities is being cultivated at scale in New Zealand for the first time.

Attacking waiting lists with a mobile surgery truck

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand's operating theatres are severely under pressure, but a big blue articulated truck has been travelling up and down the country helping out...

Australia: PM's wedding, AI plan lacks 'guardrails', social media ban lawsuit

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton on the PM's wedding, a national plan on artificial intelligence has been released, but it won't include "mand...

Lead exposure up in last year: latest stats

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A leading world expert in lead poisoning says there's still more work to be done on reducing exposure. The latest New Zealand data shows total lead ab...

US political analyst says NZ can ride out Trump second term

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A US political analyst says New Zealand needs to ride out the current America first focus of President Donald Trump's second term, and that opportunit...

Census concerns over the 'cost of getting it wrong'

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Data and statistics experts warn the costs of getting administrative data up to scratch, building the infrastructure need, the potential costs of gett...

Sports correspondent Glen Larmer

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Glen assesses the Black Caps' chances against the West Indies in Christchurch in the first test match of the summer, looks ahead to the second Ashes t...

Births, deaths and marriages: unpacking the numbers

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Statistics NZ's population insights analyst Rebekah Hennesy joins Kathryn to unpack the numbers.

Business commentator Victoria Young

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The latest in the Du Val saga as former employees speak out. There's an election at Fonterra with three well known candidates putting their hands up. ...

Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Manawatu

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jimmy Ellingham talks to Kathryn about how the latest from the Manawatū.

Book review: Nadia's Farm Kitchen by Nadia Lim

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leah McFall reviews, Nadia's Farm Kitchen by Nadia Lim, published by Nude Food Inc.

Electrifying Auckland's passenger ferries

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Eaglen on his naval architect's career which has spanned over 25 years in the marine industry including the electricification of Auckland's...

USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump demands closure of Venezuelan airspace and denied reports that his defense secretary ordered the killing of a drug-smuggling boat's cr...

New trunk line in South Island

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Southerner's back with a new name as passenger rail to the South Island main trunk line. The Mainlander rail service will begin in January, with t...

Intermediates make renewed call for middle school options

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Intermediate schools say it should be easier to keep pupils on past year 8, and grow a year 9 and 10 roll. The value of intermediate and middle school...

What will happen to regional council port assets

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Regional councils own assets worth billions of dollars, but what could happen to them with plans to scrap regional councillors?

Urban Issues with Bill McKay

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

Paeonies and hydroponics grown in Mosgiel

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rodger and Cindy Whitson own a 10-acre property just outside of Mosgiel, where they grow paeonies and hydroponic herbs, and salad dressings. 

Political commentators Liam Hehir and Lianne Dalziel

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member. 

Around the motu: Simon Wilson in Auckland

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Simon discusses the ongoing issue of flooding and a "new action plan" to improve quality of life on Queen St.

Book review: The Silver Book by Olivia Laing

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kiran Dass reviews The Silver Book by Olivia Laing, published by Penguin Books NZ.

The family who have been on a 4-year camping trip

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How about a family camping trip that lasts at least four years? That's the story of the Leopard family.

Jo Aleh - first woman to join Team NZ Amercia's Cup defence

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jo Aleh is the first woman to join the Team New Zealand crew in the America's Cup defence to be held in Naples in 2027. 

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney on France deciding bring back voluntary military service, Ukraine's president losing his right-hand man, Italy add...

Open banking kicks off

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Open banking arrives. What does it mean for everyday users? 

Police Commissioner on the McSkimming fallout

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Chambers on how he plans to rebuild trust in police and its leadership. 

The week that was

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Te Radar and Pinky Agnew bring the end-of-week laughs.

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman on conflict at NZ cricket,  huge IPL contract for Amerilia Keer and  the Tall Blacks

Around the motu: David Hill on North Canterbury

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Reaction to the proposed local government reform that could see Environment Canterbury scrapped, support for Kaikoura penguins and Hurunui Council b...

Book review: Giving Birth to My Father by Tusiata Avia

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Harry Ricketts reviews Giving Birth to My Father by Tusiata Avia.

Strikes by health workers and firefighters

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

17-thousand health workers are due to strike from 1pm, and at midday, the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union is also taking industrial action...

Helen Goh mixed baking and psychology

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

By day she's a psychologist. By night, a pastry chef. It's perhaps an unusual mix, but Helen Goh has managed to rise to the top of both professions. S...

Asia correspondent Ed White

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ed has the latest on the fire that tore through multiple high rise residential buildings in Hong Kong, a long running court case over India's air poll...

The music festival that'll shut down Auckland's K'Road

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend one of Auckland's best-known roads will be partially closed for a music festival - the first time that's happened for a ticketed event. T...

The stroke survivor on mission to boost health and welbeing

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Launched as a trial in 2023, Health15 supports construction workers by providing free 15-minute on-site health checks. Jamie Summers who had a stroke...

ComCom to watch gas disconnections, prices up

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As more households and businesses get off gas, the Commerce Commission is proposing to let distributors moderately lift prices on those who remain. It...

Screentime: Death by Lightning, The Chair Company, The Lowdown

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Film and TV reviewer Tom Augustine joins Kathryn to talk about three TV shows he thinks are great viewing in the leadup to Christmas.

Parenting: What's going on in the teen brain?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In parenting today, when puberty hits and suddenly you don't recognise your own child. Clinical Psychologist Kathryn Berkett says adolescence is the m...

Tech: Chip war, AI recipe slop, 2025 local tech highlights

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tech commentator Peter Griffin joins Kathryn to talk about a revival of Google's AI ambitions, with news Meta may look at buying its AI-centric comput...

Around the motu: James Pocock

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James discusses Gisborne's "in-house" water services plans getting government approval, the local deer hunt feeding families, Tairawhiti schools pledg...

Book review: The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dean Bedford reviews The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper & Sarah Krasnostein, published by Text Publishing.

Waipukarau gets cash back

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Waipukurau is to get a cash depot, as part of a Reserve Bank trial, meaning businesses no longer have to drive 50 kilometres to the nearest bank. 

Backyard fight clubs: thuggery or a way to heal?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The world of backyard fight clubs is a controversial one. and when TVNZ in depth journalist Indira Stewart began investigating them in Auckland and No...

UK: Chancellor delivers her Budget - what's in it?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

UK correspondent Rob Watson looks at what's in Chancellor Rachel Reeves Budget - including some new taxes and a lifting of the two-child cap on benefi...

Buying a house with Bitcoin: What do you need to know?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Those in the housing market are all too familiar with all the foibles of dealing with banks and making sure the money side is all lined up. But what w...

Parole conditions limited under Supreme Court precedent

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Supreme Court has effectively limited the parole conditions that can be imposed on an offender - so what does that mean for public safety?

Principals: Schools shouldn't have to pay asbestos sand cleanup costs

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some principals say their schools will be left tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket for asbestos sand decontamination and refurbishment costs.

Hayfever season: What are the triggers, traits and treatments?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're part of the 20 percent of Kiwis who suffer from hay fever - there's probably no need to tell you we're into peak season right now.

Mow or no mow? Lawn alternatives

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone with a lawn will know how often they need mowing at this time of year. 

Around the motu: Peter de Graaf in Northland

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Peter looks at Hawaiian waka returns to Waitangi, 40 years after sparking a revival of Maori ocean voyaging. He'll look at local shock over the violen...

Book review: Good Things Come and Go by Josie Shapiro

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sonja de Friez reviews Good Things Come and Go by Josie Shapiro, published by Allen & Unwin.

Cloud cover keeps heat watch at bay for eastern Otago

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From heat watches to rain warnings - the South Island is bearing the brunt of some particularly changeable Spring weather.