RNZ: Nine To Noon

T20 at home, White Ferns v Zimbabwe, and abroad with the Black Caps World Cup semi-final. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe retires, again. The Super Rugby weekend ahead and the New Zealand Golf Open underway.

A look at some of the funnier headlines of the past week - including a drunken passenger disrupting a murder mystery train ride in Napier, a mum whose trip to a public toilet ended in embarrassment in front of her son's football team, and a man who accidentally took control of 7000 robot vacuum cleaners.

The future of Southland's outdoor stadium, Environment Southland has asked the Government to delay its local government reform, and Southland is preparing for a major surge in attention - both on the ground and online - as the Gore-based 2026 MAGNIficent Adventure Race takes place from February 28 to March 7.

Roger Christensen of Unity Books Auckland reviews Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns, published by Farshore.

Manufacturers are working to create chocolate alternatives that don't rely on cocoa amidst volatility in supply for the product. 

Watching his father lead the rebuild of his hometown in Macedonia (now called the Republic of North Macedonia), after it was destroyed by an earthquake, inspired Misko Cubrinovski's 40-year career as an engineer. Professor Misko Cubrinovski is retiring after 20 of those years with the University of Canterbury. 

The latest from Asia, including the German chancellor's visit to Beijing ahead of a US diplomatic trip next month, low fertility rates in South Korea and what it means for the region, and why the world has gone bananas for an emotional support toy monkey called Punch who lives at the at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan.

Old clothes that are unfit for resale are being collected from Northland charity shops to be turned into mattresses and insulation for families in need. 

New research out this morning has found significant disparities in life outcomes for those New Zealanders who are blind or visually impaired. 

It is a buyers market but interest rates tipped to rise, Nick Tuffley joins Kathryn.

Film and television reviewer Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to talk about Holy Days, Scrubs, and Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model.

Dr Niraj Lal is a Melbourne-based researcher and writer whose new book is aimed at getting kids thinking about how they use the internet, who they interact with and what data is being gathered about them.

Technology correspondent Bill Bennett joins Kathryn to explain why construction of a rooftop satellite station in central Auckland has upset nearby residents.

Ian discusses with Kathryn the lease extension at Port Marlborough for the Bluebridge ferry, a controversial cycle lane in Blenheim, a new innovation block underway for Marlborough Boy's College and the Flaxbourne A&P show to celebrate its centenary.

Kiran Dass reviews three of her favourite books from last year.

As artificial intelligence continues to advance, it's been incorporated into a dance show.

A gathering of rural women is taking place in Southland in just over a week's time.

UK: Mandelson 'flight risk', Chagos deal confusion, and more.

Nine years ago Heather Black - a self-taught sewer - started her first class for adults in Auckland.

New research from the country's largest longitudinal study of child wellbeing has found experience at school is critical to good mental health in young people. 

Public Trust has so far fielded hundreds of complaints, and more than $300,000 worth of unpaid debts owing to it after changes were made to auditing fees.

Science commentator Laurie Winkless looks at how Korean researchers have taken waste from an abundant species of clams to recreate the silk produced from another, endangered species of clam. A study out of Canada has found that construction produces the equivalent of 1 - 3 metric tons of carbon per person each year - and it needs to drop by 10 % to stay on top of emission reduction targets - so how can it be done? And a fishing ban on the Yangzte River appears to be working, with fish biomass increasing

The company turned to e-commerce, and Linley handed over the reins as CEO to her son Abel in 2009.

Music correspondent Yadana Saw plays three tunes to celebrate the festival season, including one from indy band Dads So So Modern who'll play the Newtown Festival early next month and Nigerian artist Obongjayar, who's in New Zealand for Electric Avenue this weekend.

Manawatu school bus woes, Tongariro fire recovery, and the end of the old Opiki toll bridge.

Elisabeth Easther reviews My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney, published by Macmillan.

Sita's insight comes from spending 20 years as a high school teacher herself. She says in her view: "Most people, most kids are good kids - most of the time. And even the bad kids are good kids, underneath it all."

Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst joins Kathryn with the biggest stories out of Australia, including the evacuation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese from his official residence, The Lodge, overnight for several hours.

The world's biggest heat pump and air conditioning manufacturers has expanded its presence in this country. Daikin has now moved into a new $30 million warehouse facility in the Christchurch suburb Hornby. 

An Auckland academic compares the privatisation here with the health system in the United States. Professor Jaime King says New Zealand is reaching a tipping point.

Whakaari White Island guide Kelsey Waghorn details her remarkable journey in a new book - Surviving White Island and everything that came after.

Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano quits after an embarrassing defeat, while the Winter Olympics comes to a close.

The Belgian pianist and composer known for blending classical music with a contemporary sound and sensibility.

Xero looks to cut jobs, the latest on US President Donald Trump's tariffs, and Genesis' plans to raise $400m in capital.

1News reporter Jared McCulloch looks at a rise in Queenstown tourism numbers and has an update on alternative transport in the area, as well as Wanaka's impact on the Winter Olympics and a local snail farm.

Harry Ricketts reviews The Art of Colonisation by Paul Moon 

The jobseekers who are hiding their ages on CVs

Author M Gessen has written extensively about the Trump administration and the regime of Vladimir Putin and the impact of autocracy and totalitarianism.  

The Supreme Court dealt President Trump a major blow by ruling his unilateral global tariffs unconstitutional, though the president has already vowed to bypass the decision using alternative trade laws. International tensions are peaking as a massive US naval force moves toward Iran following President Trump's threats of military action if a nuclear deal isn't reached within days. Domestically, the President faces further turbulence following a fatal security breach by an armed intruder at Mar-a-Lago and historically low approval ratings ahead of his upcoming State of the Union address. David Smith is Washington bureau chief at The Guardian.

Kiwi costume designer Kate Hawley is flying home with a BAFTA, following her win at the Awards yesterday for her work on Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein. Earlier this month she spoke to Nine to Noon about her success this awards season - she's also up for an Oscar next month for her work on the same film. In January she took Best Costume Design at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards and since we spoke to her she's also won an award for Excellence in Period Film from the Costume Designers Guild. The BAFTAs represent the biggest night on the British film calendar and are often a marker for success at the Oscars. Kate joins Kathryn from Heathrow.

Some devices - not just phones - but also things like medical, security alarms and vehicle trackers will cease working with the network. 

They found no evidence to support what they call the `demolition of the world's leading pay equity scheme'.