Nine To Noon

Beside Christchurch's Avon River, Otakaro Orchard Community Garden and Food Forest has 96 different fruit trees, and an underscrub filled berries, herbs and medicinal plants.

Fletcher Tabuteau is a former NZ First MP from 2014 to 2020, former deputy leader of the party, and former Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and the then minister for regional development Shane Jones. He now works for lobbying and communications firm Capital Government Relations. Gareth Hughes is a former Green MP and now works for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.

David looks at leaked documents that show the Canterbury arm of Te Whatu Ora had been told to save $13.3m by July.

Kim Pittar from Muir's Independent Bookshop in Gisborne reviews The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon published by Simon and Schuster.

Adam Kay has been very open with what turned him off working as a doctor and into a successful writer and comedian.

Israel is preparing for an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as the UK considers sending its troops to help deliver aid via a new sea route.

Black wood pellets are seen as a potential silver bullet replacement for coal by major industrial users in New Zealand like Fonterra and Genesis Energy.

The Mental Health Foundation warns preparing the sector to pick up all mental health-related emergency calls could take a decade.

The police pay dispute is now in the hands of a third party, who will decide whether or not they should be earning more.

Comedians Michele A'Court and Irene Pink look at the lighter moments of the week.

Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Music commentator Jeremy Taylor has reissues from Air, Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Kirsty MacColl, plus an outlier track from the new Taylor Swift album.

Peter Newport is Managing Editor, Crux, based in Arrowtown

Gail Pittaway reviews How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin published by Hachette

Mansoor Hamayun has grown his Bboxx company out of a university project that set up six villages in Rwanda with electricity - and now he wants to expand that to tens of millions more people in sub-Saharan Africa.

The marathon Indian election is underway with Prime Minister Narendra Modi eyeing up his third five-year term in power. Also: espionage arrests in China, and Taiwan debates the death penalty.

In the past six months, redundancies have been signalled across both the private and public sectors.

From next week, the kids will be back. But TikTok and messaging in the classroom won't be. The government's cellphone ban kicks in from term two.

Moves to make reporting of suspected child abuse mandatory should be treated with caution, says Safeguarding Children group.

As thousands of jobs are cut, particularly through the public sector, Lisa joins Kathryn with some of her tips on what to do if you're being made redundant.

Taranaki seniors are showing it's never too late to summon strength, pulling off deadlifts and squats in a community gym group. Dane Carr, head coach at the Lion's Den Gym & Fitness Centre, tells Kathryn Ryan how weightlifting benefits bodies of all ages.

Mike digs deep into the rates rise signalled for the city - set at about 12 percent.

Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore reviews The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen published by Penguin Random House NZ

Natalie Haynes is an author, stand-up comedian and self-confessed nerd. As a teenager she embraced Latin and Ancient Greek, before going on to study classics under the famed Professor Mary Beard.

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton looks at how Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken on Elon Musk.

Another batch of New Zealand's most precious pasture seeds have been delivered to a doomsday mountain vault in Norway.

From tomorrow the amount of finfish and shellfish recreational fishers can take from inside Fiordland will be reduced.

The Police Association warns officers will not be able to confiscate gang patches in real time, under a proposed law change.

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge is ruling out sacking coach Rob Penney mid-season, despite the team sitting at the bottom of the table. In league, the Warriors' wheels are wobbling heading into their rare home game on Anzac Day. Kiwi swimmer Lewis Clareburt is joining the chorus of disapproval over the leniency of a group of Chinese competitors who failed a drug test. And Scott Dixon pays a special tribute to motorsport icon Sir Colin Giltrap, after his first win of the Indycar season.

Stats NZ figures in the year to January show more than 250,000 people arrived in New Zealand. Massey University Professor Paul Spoonley says the volume of arrivals has contributed a significant net gain of more than 131,000. He joins us to discuss the record levels of migration, the challenge for processing visas, and the government's response. Professor Paul Spoonley is Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Honorary Research Associate in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University.

A Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora commissioned report warns of extreme pressure on New Zealand's aged care sector.

Stuff's Southland Editor Che Baker looks at Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark's apology for his interview with comedian Guy Williams.

Elisabeth Easther reviews Girl of the Mountains by Trish McCormack published by Glacier Press

British construction worker Nick Stride was working in Moscow in 1998 to help build the British embassy there.

Ron looks at the US$95b of military assistance approved for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which passed with broad bipartisan support.

The Government is planning to spend billions of dollars on new roads under a transport plan proposed last month.

A leading youth advocate is concerned young people sent to boot camps will come out the other end without crucial support.

An inquiry into the response to last year's catastrophic North Island storms that killed 15 people has found the country's emergency management system is not fit for purpose.

Bill McKay discusses the history of the classic layout of a kitchen, and its connections to pre-Nazi Germany.

The Muriwai Deli is a permanent fixture in the West Auckland community, but it wasn't always that way.

Dale Husband is a long time broadcaster and Radio Waatea presenter hosting a Maori focused current affairs programme. Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member.

Rangiora High School's building project includes a return to single-cell classrooms.

Cynthia Morahan reviews Loving My Lying, Dying, Cheating Husband by Kerstin Pilz published by Affirm Press

Growing up in an American Navy family, Alex Kerr lived in many places including Italy, Hawaii and Washington DC.

Seamus discusses the fire in Copenhagen, Denmark which saw the iconic spire of the 400-year-old former stock exchange building topple.

Out with the lawn and in with the food.

Incoming rules for freedom campers have left rental companies feeling confused.

Owners of earthquake-prone buildings will now have a four year extension on the requirement to strengthen or demolish.

Comedians Te Radar and Donna Brookbanks look at the lighter moments of the week, including Uber's annual list of the most unusual items left in rideshare cars globally. This year it includes a live turtle, a 'fart sensor', and a WWE championship belt. And how much would you pay to smell like Eden Park? The Auckland stadium has released a fragrance which "encapsulates the lush greenery" for $170 a pop.

The Kiwis league captain, the Golden Boot winner for the best player in the world, the main main in the Panthers forward pack that's won three straight NRL premierships - is coming to the Warriors. One All Black heading overseas (briefly) has been a talking point this week, with Jordie Barrett's deal to stay in NZ Rugby slightly overshadowed by his rugby playing sabbatical at famous Irish club Leinster The boat for team NZ's America's Cup defence in Barcelona has a name - and it's not a Spanish one. It's been named Taihoro, a name given to them by Ngati Whatua Orakei and means "to move swiftly as the sea between both sky and earth" One of the most generous men in NZ Motorsport has passed, with Sir Colin Giltrap gone aged 84. The Giltrap name is synonymous with motorsport - supporting most of our biggest names including Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber, Shane van Gisbergen, Mitch Evans and Hayden Paddon. He's also supported plenty of sailors and sailing teams over the years, including team NZ - and was even behind the luring of Tiger Woods to play on our shores in Paraparaumu. A personality and wasn't everyone's cup of tea but he made a huge difference to so many New Zealanders.

The Minister of Transport Simeon Brown is in Ashburton today to open the 18 million dollar Fairfield Freight Hub. This is expected to increase the the amount of local freight carried by rail from 6,000 containers to 20,000 containers a year. Jonathan has the latest on the controversy to install median barriers on State Highway One between Ashburton and Rakaia. And the tough economic times are taking a toll on some local hospitality businesses. Local Democracy Reporter - Mid Canterbury Jonathan Leask from the Ashburton Guardian

Roger Christensen of Unity Books Auckland reviews The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble, published by Allen and Unwin.

Peter Langlands says his passion for foraging food has turned him into an "accidental botanist". The Christchurch bird-watcher and conservationist presents a guide to over 250 edible plants and funghi in his new book Foraging New Zealand.

Security is beefing up across the Solomon Islands as electoral counting continues. People are urged to remain peaceful under the increased police presence. RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins is there, and joins Kathryn to explain why the election is being closely watched by some of the world's biggest powers.

Te Puna Reo o Manga Tangaroa in Kaikohe has been set up to prioritise children living with disabilities. The school was created by local couple Claraand Manga Aperahama-Kopa to provide quality education to tamariki of all capabilities. Clara talks to Kathryn about her young son who inspired the whanau to fund-raise and build the pre school

Some students at halls run by the University of Auckland will refuse to pay their fees from next month in protest at what they say are unjustifiable price hikes.

A Boeing engineer has given compelling testimony detailing his concerns about how Boeing aircraft are being put together.

Film and TV correspondent James Croot joins Kathryn to talk about Civil War (cinema), which follows a group of journalists through an America at war with itself, in a race to reach the White House. One Question (Sky Open) is a new season of a popular game show with Claudia Winkleman, The Royal Hotel (online rental from April 24) stars Julia Garner as one of two backpackers stuck in a small outback town in Australia and Eileen (online rental from April 24) stars Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie and Anne Hathaway as co-workers in a prison facility where things take a sinister turn. James Croot is Stuff's Stuff to Watch editor.

Negative body image is a lifelong issue for many women which social media only serves to fuel. Yet the habits and self-talk of mothers can also have a profound effect on young girls becoming overly critical of their bodies. Psychologists Janet Boseovski and Ashleigh Gallagher offer advice on what to do and what not to do in their new book Beyond Body Positive: A Mother's Evidence-Based Guide for Helping Girls Build a Healthy Body Image.

Technology commentator Alex Sims joins Kathryn to discuss the issue of the right to repair, which also covers the right to use and maintain goods. As more of what we use comes to rely on software to operate, where are consumers left when things don't work as they should - or stop working completely? She'll look at the example of Tesla requiring owners to use Tesla hitches or be unable to tow, and printers that now require a monthly subscription to work. The Greens have just had a private members bill pulled from the ballot that focuses on the right to repair. Alex looks at what it will and won't cover. Alex Sims is an Associate Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School and an expert on blockchain technology, copyright law and consumer law.

Long term plan consultation is underway and includes $9m for upgrades to the zoo, which the New Plymouth District Council says are required to meet regulation and modern zoo standards. Robin details the rogue billboards appearing locally about road repairs. Trans-Tasman Resources has withdrawn from the Environmental Protection Authority process to get consents for its proposed seabed mining project off the coast of Taranaki. And the release of 40 kiwi into Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki - the former Egmont National Park in the past week, marks a step-change in attempts to re-establish the taonga on Taranaki Maunga. About 110 kiwi are due to be released on Taranaki and Kaitake in the next few months.

Carole Beu of the Women's Bookshop reviews Amma by Saraid de Silva published by Hachette.

Dr Thom Linley has always been fascinated with fish, how they behave, their ecology and their different ocean habitats. He is a curator of fishes at Te Papa, and also co-hosts the Deep-Sea Podcast, where he speaks to scientists about their marine discoveries. Dr Linley was among the first teams to capture video of the world's deepest fish, including those living in the Kermadec Trench, just north of New Zealand. Various shows have featured his work, including Blue Planet II and Shark Week. He's also passionate about encouraging neurodivergent people into science.

UK correspondent Dan Bloom looks at the anti-smoking legislation - similar to what was proposed and then dumped in New Zealand - that's creating huge divisions within the Conservative Party. He'll look at progress on Rishi Sunak's Rwanda plan for illegal migrants and what's in Prime-Minister-for-49-days Liz Truss' new memoir. Dan Bloom is deputy editor of Politico London Playbook.

A recent report by the Education Review Office painted a grim picture of student behaviour - saying violent and disruptive behaviour in schools has reached critical levels. Half the teachers surveyed said the problem has become worse in the past two years, and half say they are spending nearly an hour a day dealing with bad behaviour. The Education Review Office says the trend is harming children's learning, and schools need to take a nationally consistent approach to addressing it. The approach it favours is called PB4L, which stands for Positive Behavior for Learning. But a group of teachers in Porirua East who work with students with high levels of dysregulated behaviour say ERO is promoting ineffective, outdated practices. They say teachers need to understand the neuroscience that underpins behavior and stress, and its programme 'Hauora' is working. Lynda Knight principal at Glenview School in Cannons Creek, and founder of the Hauora programme.

The government's recently announced plans to reform the building materials sector, has the potential to be a massive shake-up to the industry. Before a product can be used on site, builders must demonstrate it meets the standards laid out in the NZ Building Code. Under the newly proposed system, they may soon be able to rely instead on certifications from trusted overseas jurisdictions. The aim is to increase product choice and decrease the costs of construction. Former Naylor Love chief executive Rick Herd, and leaky homes lawyer Paul Grimshaw join Kathryn Ryan to discuss.

Science commentator Dr Allan Blackman joins Kathryn with three new studies.

Dunedin's history is front and centre of a new book by Karen McMillan.

Music commentator Dave Wilson joins Kathryn from New York, where he's been hitting Broadway.

North Otago gold mine OceanaGold has unveiled a fully electric excavator and the race is on to secure a water supply for the Otago town of Lawrence.

Sally Wenley reviews A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci published by Pan Macmillan

Author Leslie Jamison has been compared to some of the American greats, Joan Didion and Susan Sontag. A novelist and essayist, Jamison's writing style blends journalism and memoir.

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche on a rare win for the media in a high-profile defamation case, the fallout of the Bondi stabbings, and why the Woolworths CEO has been threatened with jail time.

Educationalist Jill Corkin is leading a community intiative aiming to get a secondary school built in Mangawhai, one of Northland's fastest growing areas.

Transparency International says a draft code of conduct for lobbyists has been so watered down from the initial version, it is meaningless.

Sports correspondent Joe Porter

The Haast's Eagle or Te Hokioi bird is the largest eagle every known to have existed. Over the centuries its existence was questioned, was it real, or was it just legend? Scientists have pored over what was known about the bulky bird and debated whether it was able to fly. In his new book, Hard by the Cloud House, Peter Walker examines the legend of Te Hokioi and its part in the avian history of Aotearoa.

Dileepa looks at figures showing the number of highly skilled migrants is falling, despite a bump in immigration. And a new BusinessDesk series, JobWatch 2024, looks at layoffs in both the private and public sectors. Finally, a new report launches today, looking at food and fibre exports and what might lift their productivity. Dileepa Fonseka is a Senior Correspondent with BusinessDesk.

The Whakatane District Council has received over 1000 submissions to its long-term plan, more than it has ever had from any other consultation process. And the Kawerau District Council has been copping flak recently about plans to introduce fluoride its town water supply by the end of June

Gina Rogers reviews My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes published by Penguin Random House

Nigel Ritson estimates he's eaten more than 50,000 feijoas in his quest to find the perfect one. His fascination with the fruit began in in the 1990's when be bought a tough piece of land in Takaka, with the dream of growing something. Feijoas were one of the few trees which could thrive there. But simply growing feijoas in hoards wasn't enough for Nigel. He wanted to cultivate fruit with the best shape, colour, resilience, and - most importantly - taste. He now runs a breeding program at Foretaste Feijoa Fruit, which aims to grow varieties which could become popular with commercial growers. He tells Kathryn Ryan about what makes the perfect feijoa.

If you're looking to escape reality for a while - or possibly somewhere to entertain the kids these school holidays - a giant colourful labyrinth could be just the ticket. The ABORIALIS Luminarium is a giant inflatable sculpture you can walk through - with a kaleidoscope of colour and accompanying ethereal soundtrack. It was installed in Christchurch over the summer, now Aucklanders get a chance to experience it. They'll join some three million people across 40 countries have experienced the various luminaria created by English designer Alan Parkinson's Architects of Air company. Kathryn is joined by Jo Edwards who's one of the Luminarium's managers. More information, including about tickets, can be found here.

The first criminal trial of a former president begins on Monday in New York. Donald Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records for his alleged role in a hush money scheme before the 2016 election. And Trump, who is again a presidential candidate, is continuing to cause confusion on his stance on abortion rights. Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk.

As the New Zealand news landscape undergoes a radical reshape, there are concerns that many Kiwis are already missing out. Unlike other countries there is no requirement for New Zealand websites, including those with a news focus, to meet any accessibility standards. Captioning and audio descriptions can make a huge difference to the hearing or visually impaired. Access Matters Aotearoa has been campaigning for a complete redrafting of the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill - one that would include minimum enforceable standards to help address accessibility issues. Kathryn is joined by policy lead Juliana Carvalho and Neil Jarvis, who's worked as a digital accessibility consultant and believes the issue should be top of mind for policymakers.

Some fintechs say they can be the "maverick" disruptor New Zealand's banking system is missing. These are digital services that offer more innovation when it comes to things like budgeting data, foreign exchange and transferring money. But the Commerce Commission says these fintechs are struggling to get a foothold here citing issues around data access, obtaining a business bank account and scaling difficulties. Revolut started in the UK in 2015 as a pre-paid card with no transaction fees and it has now expanded to offer wider banking services. Popular with New Zealand expats in London, it arrived here last July and has more than 30 million customers worldwide. DOSH is a New Zealand fintech that offers a digital wallet making it easy to split a bill or cap spending on certain things. Neither are registered banks but they are both financial services providers. Georgia Grange is Revolut's New Zealand head, and Shane Marsh is co-founder of DOSH. Kathryn also speaks to banking expert and Massey University associate professor Claire Matthews.

Kennedy Warne has paid a visit to the Kiwi Coast Project - 250,000 hectares of coastal Northland under sustained predator control by no fewer than 227 volunteer groups, with the aim of making Northland safe for kiwi again.

A cafe in a little corner of north Auckland is serving up a taste of Brazil from a rather unusual spot.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is joining calls for de-escalation between Israel and Iran as the conflict escalates.

The Hundertwasser Art Centre is running out money. RNZ Northland reporter Peter de Graaf based in Kerikeri.

Melanie O'Loughlin from Lamplight Books reviews Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan published by Faber.

Amid the talk about the best ways to improve school attendance, Lesieli Oliver has been quietly getting on with the job.

Iran has launched a large-scale drone and missile attack at Israel, in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria.

Fruitminder is a software agri-business that allows orchardists to precisely manage each tree. Sebastian Chapman is founder and CEO.

What to disclose to an insurer has long been a mire for consumers, but a new bill seeks to put more onus on insurers. Duncan Webb's Insurance Contracts member's bill was drawn from the ballot last month.

Comedians Te Radar and Elisabeth Easther bring some of the lighter moments of the week, including a worker at a German art gallery who was fired for sneaking in his own painting, and a plane being diverted by a dog poo.

In a move proving controversial, athletics has become the first sport to offer prize money to Olympic champions, announcing that gold medallists in Paris will earn US$50,000.

Kelly backgrounds the history of Harawene, a much loved late terrier cross that captivated locals and motorists for years, so much so that a statue of the stray dog was erected, causing outrage when it was stolen.

Laura Caygill reviews Last Best Chance by Brooke Dunnell published by Fremantle Press: "A light story of fertility struggles that itself struggles to fulfill its potential".

CL Miller grew up in a world full of antiques. So it's perhaps unsurprising that it's the setting for her debut novel: 'The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder'. The mystery begins with the death of an antiques dealer in the English countryside and follows the attempt by his estranged protegee to track down his killer in the murkier side of the antiques world - one of dodgy deals and forgeries. Fans of antiques will love the detail in this book - many of the key pieces mentioned are real and have quite the history behind them. It's something the author, Cara, learned from her mother, the late Judith Miller - who was an author and specialist on the beloved British TV show Antiques Roadshow.