RNZ: Nine To Noon

Bill updates on a range of urban issues covering Auckland, in particular the latest on Plan Change 120; the Central Interceptor - a 16 kilometre sewer - now in operation; and City Rail Link soon to open. Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

A trip to Greece kick starts a tea buisness for Ruth and husband Dave Capstick.  

Liam Hehir and  Phil Goff discuss with Susie the political issues of the day.

Christchurch's overstretched emergency department,  the bid by a Dubai based company to run Lyttleton's Port, the plans for a new Catholic cathedral and new plans to tackle boy racers.

Cynthia Morahan reviews two books: The Beginning Comes After The End by Rebecca Solnit, published by Granta Books, and Stay by Kirsten O'Connor, published by K2 Studio.

Shane's new memoir, Mountain Warrior, is an honest reflection on the triumphs and setbacks that have shaped him.

Joel is a freelance journalist covering current affairs and sport in Latin America.

It's been ten years since the first purpose-built ambulance for horses was created in Aotearoa. The ambulance is purpose-built, lowering to ground level so an injured horse can walk on once stabilised. It's since grown to a fleet of ten, making New Zealand the only country in the world with a dedicated horse ambulance at every race meet. Dr Peter Gillespie is the brains behind the horse ambulance, and he's also the recent recipient of the Brian Goulden Equine Vet of the Year Award.

Rakiura/ Stewart Island fisherman Zane Smith has deployed New Zealand's first commercial seaweed farm using a special Norwegian infrastructure. It's growing giant kelp in partnership with the Greenwave Aotearoa venture set up by the consultancy firm, EnviroStrat. Greenwave Aotearoa,specialises in regenerative ocean seaweed farming. The aim is to use the seaweed in food, skin care products and neutroceuticals. Zane Smith works alternating 6 months collecting paua and crayfish.Now in partnership with Greenwave Aoteraroa and its head of aquaculture operations Ryan Marchington, he's setting up specialised sites to grow seaweed. They both join Susie to talk about the venture.

Leading brain health and neurological organisations are warning the country is training specialists only to lose them, due to a lack of funded hospital positions. The Neurological Alliance, is calling on the Government to fund two additional public hospital neurology positions every year and commit to developing a national neurological workforce strategy to plan for the future. The Alliance represents 20 New Zealand organisations including Stroke, Dementia, Parkinson's, and Epilepsy New Zealand, who advocate collectively for the interests of the estimated 1.5 million New Zealanders living with neurological conditions. Chair of Neurological Alliance, Rich Easton, says the shortage of neurologists is already significant consequences across the health system including long wait times and declined referrals. Chair of Neurological Association - which represents neurologists - Dr. James Cleland says the ageing workforce is not being replaced fast enough, and more training places are desperately needed.

Commonwealth Games medal haul, another New Zealand off to English cricket, the NPC gets underway, and Auckland FC has a new coach. Sport correspondent Sam Ackerman

Ian Allen is Editor for Stuff based in Marlborough.

Weightlifter David Liti won gold at the commonwealth games in Glasgow this morning. 

Chris Tse reviews AUP New Poets 12 by Anuja Mitra, Loretta Riach and Zephyr Zhang, edited by Anne Kennedy, published by Auckland University Press.

Ben Lawrence, Associate Professor and oncologist, is the first head of Auckland University's new Department of Cancer Sciences. And he wants to see New Zealand up its game with regard to treatments and care

The latest following Japan's deadly earthquake, India's 'cockroach' movement has taken its first major political scalp and South Korea's 'divorce of the century'.

Hunting is a sport that often involves more than one member of a family. But for the Kearins, from Te Kuiti, the passion crosses the generations, from grandfather to granddaughters. 

An independent alcohol researcher says he's concerned officials have slowed a review into the country's drinking advice.  

An Auckland Council committee has knocked back a proposal to give Watercare board members a pay rise of 33 percent. 

James Croot is a TV Guide and The Press film and television reviewer.

Ready the orange slices and puffer jackets - winter sport is in full swing. But alongside the fun and team spirit, comes results, competition, team selections, winners and losers. 

Peter Griffin is a Wellington-based technology journalist.

Jonathan talks about the recent cold and how the local zoo has been helping the animals, the central business district gets its first playground, parking wardens resort to cameras to cover all the local schools, Hamilton's amalgamation plans hit a speed bump and Waipa Council decides to get rid of the controversial former Te Awamutu Bunnings building.

Quentin Johnson reviews The Attention Recovery Plan by David Gillespie, published by Macmillan.

Hona Black joins Kathryn to talk about the new position and the future of te reo Māori in Aotearoa.

The BBC's Rob Watson on response to the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, droght and Clicky Ponting

Specialist bookstores are a feature in many towns, but on Dominion Rd in Auckland's Mt Roskil is a store thought to be the only Islamic book store. 

A new report has found generative AI is becoming part of everyday school life but more than half of teachers fear it's having a negative effect on students' critical thinking. 

New water rates are landing for the first time in Wellington, and residents are already reacting strongly.  

 RNZ's Money correspondent Susan Edmunds answers more questions about her new KiwiSaver book.

Anthony Byrt on his new historical thriller,  Dying Days, on the Kiwi soldiers  sent to help maintain order in the Italian city of Trieste end of World War II.  

The sudden death of the former Taupo District Mayor David Trewavas, the latest on local amalgamation plans  and the storms delivering bumper weekends for the local skifields.

Lisa Finucane reviews Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See, published by Simon & Schuster.

There are hundreds of different banana varieties, but only the Cavendish has the necessary qualities that allow it to be mass produced and something consumers actually want to eat.

Bernard Keane is political editor at Crikey.com.au.

Researchers have just successfully developed a 100 per cent pine tree-based alternative for roading bitumen. 

Erin Harrington says the arts funding system isn't working and has been getting worse for 20 years.

Arrowtown residents gathered last night to rally against a proposed development that would be nearly double the size of the historic town. 

Sam rounds up the latest from the Commonwealth Games, the All Blacks touring party to South Africa, the start of the NPC season and Super Aupiki final.  

For couples in a relationship there can be a lot of pressure to be perfect, but  -who should you be listening to anyway? 

 TikTok's economic contribution to New Zealand, upcoming inflation figures and the Commerce Commission's  annual enforcement priorities.  

Fresh slips on Mauao, the Papamoa landslip victims stuck paying rates on a red stickered, but structurally sound home, the school leavers festival event expected to attract thousands and the Bay of Plenty woman tackling the  e 250km Namib Desert challenge.