RNZ: Nine To Noon

 Research suggests about 70 percent of people make some kind of New Year's resolution, and "more exercise" is one of the most common. 

Senior National Minister - and former National Party leader Judith Collins - has announced her retirement from politics ahead of this year's election. She is set to become head of the Law Commission. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch talks with Kathryn about the announcement and Collins' political career.

For his latest novel, Chris Blake has stepped out from behind the pseudonym with which he published his first. He used it to distance himself from his day job with the New Zealand Police.

Tess discusses a health watchdog's criticism of staffing levels at Oamaru Hospital, problematic Gore campground about to close, the Kakapo camera giving remote viewers an opportunity to watch a nest on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island and a woman who was the model for a Peter Pan themed sculpture returns 60 years later.

Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore three of her favourite books from last year: The True True Story of Raja the Gullible by Rabih Alameddine, published by Little Brown Books, Service by John Tottenham, published by Profile Books, and How to End a Story: Collected Diaries 1978-1998 by Helen Garner published by Text Publishing.

Million-year-old fossils have been found in a cave near Waitomo painting a picture of New Zealand wildlife in a period very little was known about. 

In 1942 a German U-boat approached the entrance to New York's Lower Bay - surprised to see the lights of Manhattan blazing as usual.

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche details new hate speech laws invoked following a man's arrest at an anti-immigration rally.

Accessing Government services to apply for the likes of a passport or maybe some kind of funding, can often be a frustrating experience.

Time is running out for charities, sports clubs and other incorporated societies if they don't re-register under new legislation. 

Joe Schmidt has ruled himself out of the running for the All Blacks' job. In cricket, the Black Caps are beaten in the T20 series with India, while in May, Raglan will play host to one of the biggest surfing events in the world.

From business magnates like the founders of Fisher & Paykel, to early settler farmers, and major wartime philanthropists, many of these breeders have played key roles in New Zealand's wider history. 

As a big year for capital markets kicks off, Hamish discusses a potential Rakon takeover, while there are some big potential IPOs on the way. Retail numbers dropped off in December and as inflation creeps above the Reserve Bank target band, what will that do to interest rates in the coming year?

Two local women lost in the Mt Maunganui landslide, the release of a man convicted of snatching a toddler, local irritation over uncared-for roadside gardens and the worrying items confiscated at Rotorua and Tauranga courts.

Flashlight by Susan Choi, published by Vintage, Mana by Tame Iti, published by Allen & Unwin, Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams, published by Pan Macmillan.

Landowners John and Dorothy Wakeling bought a derelict quarry in the mid-1990s, and have since carried out an extensive planting campaign to transform the park into Waitakaruru Arboretum.

The latest in Minneapolis after the shooting of Alex Pretti, after the state became the epicentre of President Trump's immigration enforcement plans.

Launched as a trial in 2023, Health15 supports busy construction workers by providing free 15-minute on-site health checks.

Concerns over red tape and the cost pressures the regime places on reporting entities - some of which are small businesses with minimal resources has lead to further clarification and tweaking of the system. 

Kennedy has been to visit the site of the final battle of Ruapekapeka, he'll talk about the New Year's Day sand sculputures at Matapouri, and he's reflecting on the joy of kingfishers.

Making the most of the locally grown wheat was the driving force behind Monty and Sons, which uses duram wheat grown by the Wairarapa Grains Collective.

Gareth, Ben and Kathryn discuss the latest in politics.

Around the motu: Simon Wilson in Auckland.

Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews three of her favourite books from last year.

The search for six people confirmed missing in the landslide has resumed. 

British author Natasha Brown on her Booker longlisted second novel, a witty social and political satire, that examines what truth is in the modern age.

Unprecedented EU pushbacks force Trump into retreat, Russia cuts heating across Ukraine despite peace talks, Spotlight on state of Spanish railways after string of crashes, and Italy voices anger after New Year's bar fire owner freed on bail.

The country's first power station is generating again for the first time in 80 years. 

The first report into the government's tax incentives for commercial research and development estimates an impact on New Zealand's GDP of nearly $7bn.

The first primary schools days for 2026 start for some from today, and with the return to the classroom comes an updated, new maths and English curriculum. 

Against the odds, a takahe pair believed to be infertile have successfully hatched a chick at Wellington's Zealandia Te Mara a Tane. Dr Danielle Shanahan, Chief Executive of Zealandia joins Bryan to share the exciting news.

There's been a surge in demand for cassettes, CDs and portable audio devices. Matthew Davis, owner of Flying Out Record Store, is with Bryan to discuss the trend.

In the last stop on our urban vacation tour, Kaila Colbin joins Bryan to tell us how we can have a wonderful holiday staycation in Christchurch.

Alice Taylor is joining Bryan across the week to give yummy and simple Christmas gift ideas. Today it's simple brownies and garlic oil. Check out Alice's popular Instagram for more festive inspiration.

Observers may have noticed parts of Rotorua looking a little sharper with berms trimmed, rubbish cleared, and lawns neatly edged. That tidy-up was driven by local rangatahi (youth) who have stepped forward to give their streets a festive spruce-up. A crew of about a dozen young people, led by Waiariki Whanau Mentoring youth mentor Thomas Peato, has gathered once a week through December for a full day of maintenance mahi (work). He joins Bryan for a chat.

Senior lecturer at AUT, Dr Amandine Sabadel is a chemist, ecologist, environmental scientist and an eel expert. She's with Bryan to discuss why finding where they breed is so important - and why it's proving so difficult.

We think it's a good idea to recognise some of those who'll keep working through the summer break, so that the rest of us can enjoy a holiday. We've chatted to a nurse and a fire fighter - and today, it's a ranger. Riki Bennett is Ngahere Ranger in the Waitakere Ranges - he joins Bryan for a chat.

Food waste, wrapping paper, plastic packaging - Christmas can be a wasteful time. Georgie Ferrari, Chief Executive at Sustainability Trust, join Bryan to discuss the practical steps we can take to have a sustainable holiday.

Part two of our Staycation - or urban vacation series - depending on where you live. Today - Te Whanganui O Tara - Wellington, with Simon Woolf, who's well qualified, first because he lives there, secondly, because he's just written a book about the city, Wellington Moods.

Summer is the season for walking. Doug Haynes is walking Te Araroa, the National Trail. He's a golf caddie by trade and obviously loves his job, because he's carrying two sets of golf clubs with him - either that or he's stopping at every golf course along the way. We're not sure whether Doug is heading north or south, but he joins Bryan on the line from Taumarunui.

Alice Taylor is joining Bryan across the week to give yummy and simple Christmas gift ideas.

Now here's a challenge for anyone with children - find things to do that get them off their screens, get them moving and won't hit parents in the pocket. That's where Bryan's guest comes in. Dr. Susannah Smith is President and Board Chair of Physical Education New Zealand and an Associate Professor at University of Canterbury.