Nine To Noon

Qatar has made a surprise bid to host the finals of the new Rugby Nations Championship from 2026. The 12 team competition will pit the best Northern Hemisphere sides against the top Southern Hemisphere sides.The bid is reportedly around 800 million pounds over eight years. And NZR has just announced that two governance reform proposals - one designed by the NZR board, the other by the provincial unions - will be voted on at a Special General Meeting at the end of the month. And in Mini-Golf news, Kiwi Matt Ansley finished second in the world adventure golf tour final in Czechia.

Work on the almost-completed Palmerston North cycleway has paused as arguments rage. Jimmy outlines the issues there and also why ratepayers are facing an eye-watering bill for a new sewage treatment plant. Then the beleaguered Chateau Tongariro which closed last year needing earthquake strengthening - is now found to have weathertight problems. And Jimmy has details about charity fundraising walker, Hamilton Logan who turns 100 in November. Mr Logan wants to walk 100km before then

Lisa Adler from Unity Books Wellington reviews You Are Here by David Nicholls published Hachette

Jeremiah Manele has been elected as the Solomon Islands' new Prime Minister. Meanwhile police in Honiara are on high alert with the capital having a well-documented history of public unrest around political events. RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins

The government has introduced new measures to increase school attendance, but some schools have devised their own initiatives to boost attendance and tackle the "truancy crisis".

Pensioners who bought their homes under an Auckland Council affordable housing scheme are worried for its future, as units stay empty amid a housing shortage in the city.

Film and TV correspondent Perlina Lau joins Kathryn to talk about Origin (cinemas), a thought-provoking film based on Isabel Wilkerson's best-selling book Caste: The Origins of our Discontents. She'll also talk about Netflix's popular Baby Reindeer series and new Kiwi film from Loren Taylor The Moon is Upside Down. Perlina Lau is host of RNZ's Culture 101 programme

As a cellphone ban comes into force this term for school kids, Nine to Noon looks at the issue of when to get a phone for your child. While many - if not most - of us had a phone-free childhood, the pressure for children to get their own phones is creeping lower and lower. Many parents will opt for Year 7 and 8 - the intermediate school years - as a time when a phone can help kids navigate a little independence with the peace of mind being able to contact them can bring. Joining Kathryn to talk about this is Ellie Gwilliam is a content editor and presenter for the Parenting Place.

Technology commentator Mark Pesce has a roundup of the weirdest AI news this week, including the Baltimore gym teacher accused of using an AI voice clone to get a high school principal fired for a racist rant he didn't make. Just weeks after Meta AI was rolled out to all the groups apps, it was caught impersonating being the parent of a disabled child in a chat group for parents of disabled children. Was Meta AI rushed out too soon? And the US Department of Homeland Security is establishing an AI Oversight Board, with the industry's biggest names involved - including Open AI's Sam Altman. Mark Pesce is a futurist, writer, educator and broadcaster.

Over the next couple of months, up to 300 birds will move off the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari to other parts of the North Island in what is believed to be the country's biggest ever kiwi relocation project. In Hamilton the rates are rising, as the mayor is criticised for overseas travel. Libby has the latest on what's happening at the Ruakura Superhub development and also how a rodent's foot ended up in some garlic bread. RNZ Waikato Reporter Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Lissa Michell reviews A Different Light: First Photographs of Aotearoa.

Journalist and author Juan Gomez-Jurado is one of Spain's most successful contemporary writers.

UK correspondent Matt Dathan reports on the first migrant being relocated to Rwanda, but under a separate voluntary scheme.

Rising unemployment is seeing more people in mediation - putting pressure on already stretched services.

Charities supporting more than half a million New Zealanders have reported a 40 percent increase in food demand last year - 2023.

Science commentator Jen Martin joins Kathryn to talk about which domestic dog breeds have the best sense of smell, new research into why people keep secrets.

Artist and writer Lily Duval's latest book tells the stories of the insects of Aotearoa, in the hopes of changing attitudes towards them.

Simon looks at a new Curia poll revealing who Aucklanders favour as their next mayor. Simon Bridges is out in front, with Paula Bennett and Wayne Brown trailing behind.

Sonja de Friez reviews Shakespeare's Sisters: Four Women Who Wrote the Renaissance by Ramie Targoff published by Hachette

Loren Taylor's latest project is one she wrote, directs and stars in: The Moon is Upside Down. She's joined by a stellar cast that includes Elizabeth Hawthorne, Victoria Haralbidou and Robyn Malcom.

Australia correspondent Bernard Keane talks about a commitment of a billion dollars by the Labor government to entice a US quantum computing firm to build in Queensland.

Later this month the Commerce Commission will lay out what it thinks lines companies should be able to spend on infrastructure and recoup from customers.

A maternal and perinatal health researcher says New Zealand's rate of pre-term births is continuing to rise, while repeated recommendations on how to prevent it don't get acted on.

Sports commentator Glen Larmer.

Elspeth Kerr was a prominent nurse in the Auckland suburb of Devonport in the 1930s and faced three trials over the poisoning of her foster daughter Betty.

Rebecca discusses the arrest of Michael Chai, the director of a New Zealand-based company Blackwell Global Holdings.

For decades, the classic Kiwi sock brand Norsewear has provided relief from the big freeze - and economic survival for the small North Island village of Norsewood, near Napier. It now as now has a high-profile new owner, Tim Deane who is a former Fonterra managing director.

Ralph McAllister reviews My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand published by Century.

Best-selling author and Stanford University medical school professor Abraham Verghese has a new novel.

he US Supreme Court has heard an extraordinary case, in which Donald Trump's lawyers argued that presidents should have blanket immunity for criminal acts committed during their presidencies. And the first witness has testified at the former president's criminal trial in New York. Meanwhile President Joe Biden has signed off on a US$95b aid package for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk.

Grey Power is calling for a change to elderly driver assessments.

Two drugs for type 2 diabetes are being restricted to only those already prescribed them, due to a global shortage.

Today Kennedy Warne discusses the proposed Te Kuha opencast coal mine in the hills above Westport getting an invite to have consent considered under the fast-track regime.

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.