Nine To Noon

James Nokise and Jeremy Elwood with a lighter take on some stories of the week.

Wanaka is to get a new hotel, the latest on the Queenstown wastewater upgrade, Fiordland beclomes a dark sky sanctuary and success at a kea breeding programme.

Paul Spain is chief executive of Gorilla Technology and explains how much of an impact the outage will have on a wide range of sectors.

Elizabeth Heritage reviews The Valley of Unlikely Acquaintances by Terri Te Tau (Spoor Books), and Mincemeat by Anthony Lapwood (Aporo Press).

At first blush, a career in medicine and art might seem worlds apart, but Brad Novak's been successfully mixing them for a couple of decades.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has quit following revelations of two affairs, including one with a rumoured Chinese spy. He co-founded the chipmaker which has become an AI powerhouse, and has close ties to US president Donald Trump. But pressure has been mounting since reports an affair with a Chinese businesswoman who US authorities suspect of spying for Beijing. It's also claimed he had another affair with a senior company executive who reported to him. Greg Torode is a special correspondent for Thomson Reuters based in Hong Kong.

VerbCrawl: a one-night-only, high-energy literary festival is set to take over the streets of inner-city Wellington on Saturday.

Data from Australia shows mental disorders are surging among young adults, and preparations are underway for a similar count of the problem here in New Zealand.

The number of KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals, is now higher,  for first home deposits. New research finds some people who've made hardship withdrawals, may not have had they been aware of other support options.

Film and television reviewer James Croot looks at black comedy spy thriller Wild Horse Nine (cinemas), Wicker (cinemas), Rivals, and comedian Awkwafina's new cooking show.

Gloria Masters is the founder of charity Handing the Shame Back, which aims to provide resources, interviews and information to help prevent abuse.

Technology commentator Mark Pesce looks at the 44 state measures that were on the ballot during last week's Midterm elections designed to curb the massive NZ$16T buildout of data centres, how they fared and what the election results might mean for Big Tech.

Selwyn's Mayor call for a "lizard whistler" as reptile surveys are holding up big projects, an Ashburton councillor throws doubt on solar power expansions, a community pool saved by a rural Canterbury community is due to re-open and the latest on Ashburton's second bridge.

The PNG government may cap the number of children a family can have at three. Pacific nations have headed to COP31 to call for urgent changes in climate financing and large areas of the Pacific are battling a water crisis amid extremely dry conditions.

Jane Ussher - one of this country's foremost documentary and portrait photographers - on her new book on very special rooms in New Zealand homes, wiht a forewaord by Douglas Lloyd Jenkins.

PM Andy Burnham attending the COP climate summit in Turkey and a meeting of European leaders in Dublin for a UK-EU reset,  the jailing of comedian Russell Brand for sexual offences and the naming of comedian and children's author David Walliams as a person accused by multiple women of grooming and abuse.

Norton's 2026 Insights Survey found nearly twenty percent of Kiwis had been targeted by scams during the holiday shopping season. Eight percent of those fell victim to scammers, and out of all 12 countries surveyed, New Zealanders reported the highest amount of money lost, at an average of nearly $2000.

A leading clinical audiologist says a new device to help manage tinnitus conditions is likely coming to New Zealand early next year.

Workers employed at Awanui Labs - the country's biggest private laboratory service - have notified strike action on Thursday 19, Friday 20, Monday 23, and Tuesday 24 November.

The weather is starting to warm up and that means breaking out the jandals, sandals and crocs. But what to do if your feet aren't summer ready?

When does positive influence become something more controlling, or even sinister? The Centre is Hannah's newest work about two sisters exposed to a wellness influencer who might not be all she seems.

Lee reports on the local elections preliminary results, a proposed alluvial goldmine to help pay for Westport's flood protection, a pre-election funding grant to to expand Westport's care facility, O'Conor Home and a Westport News reporter wins a literary prize.

Sonja de Friez reviews Fry & Laurie by Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie (Penguin Random House), and Devil on My Shoulder: A Memoir by Alice Cooper (Penguin Random House).

During World War II a remarkable group of women took to the skies over Britain, ferrying military aircraft between factories, airfields and operational bases. Among them were several Kiwi women who inspired Auckland author Olivia Spooner's new historical novel, The Flying Girls.

Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst looks at the government investigating how to prosecute AI companies for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent harm from their models.

A New Zealand startup hopes to harness the power of hydrogen to achieve the first ever flight using the technology in the Southern Hemisphere.

New modelling could help identify how and where landslides will occur in the event of an earthquake or heavy rainfall.

As Westpac moves to limit how much to lend to at-risk properties, new research finds would-be home buyers are less likely to have obtained crucial documentation or consulted a lawyer before making an offer.

Sports chat with Sam Ackerman

Created by cartoonist Murray Ball in 1976, Footrot Flats became one of the country's most successful and beloved comic strips. A new collection, Footrot Flats: Here's to the Good Times!, celebrates the strip's 50th anniversary, and Murray's son Mason Ball.

Gyles discusses the business reaction to an unclear election result, while a Financial Markets Authority report reveals what has been going on inside the financial regulator.

Jonathan reports on entrepreneur Harry Mowbray's failure to secure historic Hockin House, the research by Waikato University on a RAT test for gonorrhoea, a restriction of dogs at some of Coromandel's beaches, a new hotel planned for Cambrdige takes a step forward and the Auckland tourists found camping next to the Blue Springs.

As the warmer weather starts to settle in gardens are begining to hit full bloom. How should you be looking after roses to get the best results?

It's 20 years since a film about a genetically modified sheep with a taste for human blood became a Kiwi cult classic. Now Black Sheep has a sequel, Black Sheeps.

President Trump names a new White House chief of staff. and the lawmakers working as part of the  'lame duck' session until new Congress members start in January.

New Zealand's premier motocross championships kick off this weekend with two leading riders likely contesting the title.

The careers advisor for the thoroughbred industry encouraging young people to look outside more traditional career paths.

A new report found sports clubs and federations are struggling with competing interests, blurred accountability and internal politics impacting decision making.

Kennedy discusses a recent 10-day National Geographic excursion in Australia - from the Daintree rainforest in the north to Port Arthur in the south. And on the home front: Russell is poised to become the first predator-free (possums and rats) mainland town. It is estimated that kiwi outnumber Russell residents three-to-one.

It means a diet without gluten, a protein found in barley, rye, oats and wheat. Australian chef Melanie Persson learned she had coeliac disease in 2016 - and suddenly some of her favourite foods were a no-go.

The current Government coalition appears most likely to be able to form a Government, but that cannot be confirmed until November 27.

Tom reports on Wellington election results, yet more big spending needed on some of Wellington's iconic public buildings, the local efforts to save a state housing site at Strathmore and an 81 year old who may face charges over changing National's billboards.

Cynthia Morahan reviews two books: The Unfortunate Lunatic by Tess Redgrave (The Cuba Press), and The 12 Levers by Jeremy Stevenson and Spencer Greenberg (Penguin Random House).

Queenstown-based costume designer Amanda Neale on working with some of the biggest names in film and television.

Geoffrey York is Africa bureau chief for The Globe and Mail based in Johannesburg.

A new art exhibition in Wellington is shining a light on the the Adoption Act of 1955 - and the journey of those affected by it.

Concerns over carparking fines and penalties are continuing to rise with more than 400 complaints already made to the Commerce Commission so far this year.

Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson dissect Saturday's results and discuss what might happen next.

It’s election weekend but it’s big one on the sporting front too.

Te Radar and Michele A'Court with a lighter take on recent stories.

Tess reports on the criris ihn urology care in Southland, controversial councillor Benedict Ong faces fourth possible code of conduct complaint, Otao Regional Council is to review consent to dump human waste on farmland near Lauder, excitement after an albatross egg laid on livestream and a loved dinosaur slide will live on, but in a analtered fashion.

Eden Denyer from Unity Books Wellington reviews Audition by Pip Adam (Te Herenga Waka University Press), winner of the Ursula K. Le Guin Fiction Prize 2026.

Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, has begun consultations with political parties on who he should ask to try to form a coalition government after last week's general election gave no clear winner.

Family trauma and the things we choose not to talk about are at the heart of the Australian author Miriam Sved's new novel, Illuminated Ruins.

Hong Kong has sentenced democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison, the Chinese Communist party last week held its most important political meeting of the year, the international court of justice has set a date to rule over alleged genocide in Myanmar, and Indonesia dispatched tens of thousands of troops to the streets of Jakarta as tensions rise.

As many arts events struggle, the Pollywood Pasifika Film Festival is celebrating running for 24 years, showcasing often unheard stories from around the region.

The latest stage of a large international study has found that a breast cancer drug, which is funded in NZ, could help women with a common form of early-stage breast cancer live longer.

With two days left to vote, the final poll of the election campaign shows no obvious, or likely, path to power for either Labour or National led blocs.

Film and TV reviewer Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to talk about Nocturne (Apple TV), season 2 of Dead Ahead (TVNZ+) and The Oldest Person in the World (DocPlay).

How can you gauge when your child is ready to venture out alone? Michelle Andrews Luke is a lecturer in educational psychology at the University of Melbourne.

Technology correspondent Peter Griffin looks at yesterday's US election result and whether it will impact on the technology industry, including plans for data centre development.

Chris has the latest on the debate around the future of Splash Planet, e-scooters have returned to the streets of Napier on trial, local golfing prodigy Zack Swanick misses out on golden-ticket entry to the US Masters and the British Open and a group of older residents ticking off their bucket list - virtually.

Pacific correspondent Johnny Blades reports on US midterms in the Pacific, Samoan support for Israel, the new Fiji constitution, the recent death of the self-proclaimed King of Papaala, Noah Musingku and rugby league.

The Democrats have routed the Republicans in the US Midterm elections, sweeping the House and the Senate. Cameron McWhirter is a national reporter for The Wall Street Journal, based in Atlanta, where there's been big results for the Democrats.

Linda Murphy has worked at the Auckland City Mission Te Tapui Atawhai for more than 20 years and is set to retire from the later this month.

UK correspondent Steph Spyro looks at the end of the King and Queen's Caribbean tour and the offer by PM Andy Burnham to discuss a slavery apology to nations affected.

What are the major issues in the country's biggest city? Simon Bridges is chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber.

With just two days left before election day, Labour leader Chris Hipkins on why he wants to make a return as prime minister and what Labour is offering with cost of living, the economy, and health among the main concerns for voters.

Science commentator Laurie Winkless joins Kathryn to talk about three new studies. The first shows evidence from 25 European countries that over the course of a decade extreme heat is directly influencing voting choices - with an increase in Green parties' support. GPS data from Manx shearwater birds found they're impacted by the sun's changes as they navigate long distances to their feeding grounds and back again. And a new dwarf planet's been discovered in our solar system. Laurie Winkless is a physicist and science writer

A major exhibition, Blood Is Thicker: Jason Greig, first staged at The Dowse Art Museum and now showing at Christchurch Art Gallery.

Unemployment rose to its highest level in nearly 11 years as the economy shed jobs, and there are signs some people may have stopped looking for work. Stats NZ said the unemployment rate was 5.7 per cent in the three months ended September, up from 5.6 percent in the previous quarter. A total of 174,000 people were unemployed, a rise of 3000 on the previous quarter and 14,000 higher than a year ago. Gyles Beckford is RNZ economics correspondent.

Kereama has the latest on the down grading of alert levels on Whakaari/White Island plus Whakatane Hospital neonatal unit gets an upgrade, Kawerau's Deputy Mayor wins gold in powerlifting, the Ngati Awa Te Toki Festival and 12 years of kapa haka and a new summer reggae festival for Whakatane.

Lucy Black reviews two books: Bedford Street by Ross Murray (Earth's End Publishing), and Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li (HarperCollins).

The film offers a reflection - not just on his extraordinary broadcasting career - but on the father, husband and person behind the public persona.

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton on another OCR hike, the glitz and glamour of the Melbourne Cup,  the drug regulator has approved the pill version of weight-loss drug Wegovy, a children's author jailed for possessing and distributing child sex abuse material and a 12-year-old boy's been up against a magpie with a grudge.

Electrolyte drinks and powders are pushed as the answer to dehydration - but does anyone actually need them? uss.

Nearly one in four new vehicles in the year to October was a plug-in EV - up from 10 per cent in the same period last year.

Wellington City Council is proposing a major shift in how it collects rates from households.

What's next for a future professional netball league after the sport's national body parted ways with private backers Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray.

Liv Sisson has a new book out this week about the butterflies and moths of New Zealand.

Big moves among retailers The Warehouse and Kathmandu, as the former head of the Financial Markets Authority gets a big payout.

Piers Fuller, editor of the Wairarapa Times-Age, has the latest news from the region.

How we understand our animals? What are our pets trying to tell us and how can we even 'hear' them?

Nix Adams discusses her book Nothing to Lose: A mother's journey through grief, addiction and recovery.

David Smith has the latest on the midterms, as one Democrat switches sides.

A new project aims to improve healthcare professionals' capacity to provide compassionate, evidence-based lactation care after infant loss.

University of Auckland is building a $125 million high-performance engineering facility in racing driver Bruce McLaren's honour.

Otago farmers are fighting are losing battle against invasive pests, including deer, pigs and possums. Several farmers in The Catlins lost large portions of their winter crops to feral deer, with one losing an entire paddock even though it had been sprayed with deer repellent. A survey undertaken by Federated Farmers earlier this year reported pest numbers, and that costs relate to pest control, were increasing. In 2024 half of farmers reported pest numbers had risen over the previous five years. In 2026, that has risen to two-thirds of farmers. And that farms which bordered on forestry or Crown land were more susceptible to pests entering, than form other land types. Richard Dawkins is pest spokesperson for Federated Farmers and Rachel Napier farms in Owaka Valley and for the past four years has worked with other landowners as part of the Catlins Biodiversity Group in an effort to combat the swelling populations of possum, pig and deer.

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

Drawing on six years of working with New Zealand families Ganesh Raj has produced a new resource he hopes will help.

Brigitte, Gareth and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics as the election campaign moves into its final week, and John Key has a message for voters.

Simon Wilson is a Listener columnist based in Auckland.

Louise Ward from Wardini Books reviews two books: Somebody Always Comes Looking by Paul Cleave (Upstart Press), and Bookrapt's Treasury by Debbie McCauley (Mauao Publishing.

A new book tells the comprehensive story of our trusted police dogs and their handlers - going back to 1956 and the foundation of the New Zealand Police Dog Section.

Spanish transport minister rejects calls to resign after second deadly train crash, protests and clashes with police across Europe spread to Germany, tension in Poland over control of country's constitutional court, and exhausted and hungry residents from the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky have crossed back behind the Ukrainian front line.

Micro-robotics is a developing research field that may revolutionise future medical applications, such as drug delivery for cancer treatments.

Wētā Workshop experts on the challenge of creating a sexy husband made out of basketry for the film Wicker opening in cinemas this week.

US voting in the mid terms gets underway overnight tomorrow in an election that could change the bal;ance of power in Congress.

The cancellation of the proposed domestic netball competition, and the more of the latest sports news.