RNZ: Nine To Noon

Comedians Elisabeth Easther and Irene Pink find the humour in recent news and current events including Egypt's terrible tennis player, the Norwegian ski teams uniform tampering and the two-year-old snooker player.

Sam discusses the latest at the Australian Open in Melbourne, while the Black Caps win big in their final T20 cricket match against India.

Ian Carson, Editor of Otaki Today.

Lisa Adler of Unity Books Wellington reviews three of her favourite books from last year.

If you've ever fancied a go at editing one of the world's largest-ever sources of knowledge - you've got a chance this weekend at the Auckland Museum. 

Investigating the power of geothermal kanuka to create climate-resilient crops. 

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins discusses the latest from across the region.

An Auckland architect is making free tiny home plans he expects will save homeowners wanting a granny flat up to $30,000. 

After 17 years the government has settled a human rights claim and admitted that Crown education policies and systems have failed disabled children.

Film and TV correspondent Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to review the second season of The Pitt, which follows the format of the first in setting each episode as an hour of one-15 hour shift at a hospital. 

Otago University's Dr Johanna Reidy researches the impact of school uniform design and policy on health and educational outcomes.

Technology correspondent Mark Pesce joins Kathryn on the French parliament's backing of a social media ban for under 15s, following Australia's move - does that mean more countries will follow? 

James discusses rescues at Te Aroroa during the recent flooding, a Swiss marathon runner's success after being stranded at the Waioweka Campground by slips and the 8 year old who was joint winner in a $40,000 fishing prize.

This Compulsion in Us by Tina Makereti published by Te Herenga Waka University Press, Overseas Experience by Nicola Andrew published by Aporo Press, and Clown Town by Mick Herron published by Baskerville.

What Was I Thinking is full of anecdotes from working and family life and is interwoven with his own poetry.

UK correspondent Steph Spyro looks at what's at stake in PM Keir Starmer's visit to China, amid speculation about his future. 

A community cycling initiative is helping Wellingtonians prepare for the opening of the final stretch of coastal cycle track Te Ara Tupua.

Experts are predicting AA Insurance's decision to temporarily stopped offering new home insurance policies in Westport could be the first on many. 

Ever since the plans for greater housing intensification in Auckland were revealed less that six months ago, there has been outrage.

 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.