RNZ: Nine To Noon

New Zealand sports fans are facing a mixed bag of results as the national football team struggles against Egypt at the World Cup, while the White Ferns' T20 World Cup defense is also in serious jeopardy. The Black Caps bounced back strongly against a struggling England side in their second test, matching the excitement of Dave Rennie naming his first All Blacks squad with surprising new selections.

Everyone loves a good psychological thriller, and Auckland writer Anna Woods is making her mark in the genre, with her debut novel LIT. It's a dark and compelling story that explores love, manipulation - and the secrets people can keep from those closest to them. Anna was already an award-winning short story writer - in 2023 she won the Sargeson Prize with her work Pig Hunting. Her first full novel is set in Auckland and at an architecture firm, where one of the founding partners has disappeared. The company's in financial strife, and a journalist is asking questions about a former client and links to possible construction fraud. She tells Kathryn about the moment that sparked the idea for the book, why she knew it couldn't be told in short story form and the usual research paths it led her down.

Japanese-owned meat processor Anzco Foods has acquired the Greenlea Group for $800 million, while apple exporter Crasborn Fresh Harvest faces imminent liquidation over unpaid taxes. Meanwhile, a leaked OIA request hints at internal turmoil at the FMA involving its outgoing CEO and suspended chair, coinciding with shareholder bickering ahead of Eroad's upcoming annual general meeting. Calida Stuart-Menteath is co-editor at the NBR.

Zaryd discusses rates rises for Whanganui District Council, a quadrangular tournament marking 100 years, and more. 

Cynthia Morahan reviews I Eat the Stars by Sarah Wilson, published by Penguin Random House.

He announced his decision late last night, saying he accepted he was not best placed to lead Labour into the next general election. 

His work has been captured in an award-winning series called The Last Dolphin Hunters, which opens tomorrow in Auckland.

President Trump faces mounting political pressure due to intense domestic criticism over Swiss peace talks with Iran.

Odyssey creates artificial intelligence models of real world settings for things like robotics and self-driving cars to be trained

It has begun automating some of its KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals, as applications reach record highs. 

The Government has told councils to come forward with plans or face having amalagamation plans made for them.

Bill brings us up to date with the latest on Auckland's housing intensification plan, what might the new mega-Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport look like, and celebrates bi-partisan support for the 30-year infrastructure plan.

Auckland business owner Zarnya Mulvay believes if you're going to eat cake, it should be worth it.

Neale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss recent events in politics including the National Party's annual conference.

Keiller discusses the latest on the opposition to a planned development on a golf course in the township of Pegasus, and more. 

David Hill reviews Cape to Bluff Vol. 2 by Simon Devitt and Andrea Stevens, published by Simon Devitt Photography.

At the age of 56, she has managed to finish Japan's Tsugaru Strait on her second attempt.

There's not much Waikato dairy farmer Jim van der Poel hasn't been involved with in the past 40 years. 

The World Cup is providing a welcome distraction from Latin America's problems, how are Latin American teams faring?

The government's Social Investment Fund was launched a year ago and allocated $190m over four years,

WombatNet's Alex Stewart is concerned customers will fall back on Starlink - and he says there are security and monopoly risks.

Super Rugby final, the first All Blacks squad of the Dave Rennie era will be named, Auckland FC coach departs and the All Whites match against Egypt on Monday at the Fifa World Cup among other sporting topics ahead of the weekend.

Irene Pink and Elisabeth Easther with the lighter side to some of the week's stories.

Samantha talks about doctors for the provinces and the challenges facing Tasman after more flooding over King's Birthday weekend.

Roger Christensen of Unity Books Auckland reviews Thirst by Darren Simpson, published by Pushkin Press.

Global brand Patagonia has been been developing its relationship with Zentera Wool - the company formerly known as New Zealand Merino. 

Sébastien Montaz-Rosset is regarded as one of the world's best extreme mountain filmmakers.

RNZ Pacific's Johnny Blades with news on PNG's vote on Bougainville independence and more from the region. 

He joins Kathryn to talk about his brewing journey and to let us know just how much beer he gets to taste on a shift.

Black Fern Renee Holmes is the face of the AA's Lollipop Legends which shines a light on the work done by school road patrol teams.

A youth employment charity In the Hutt Valley is turning to crowdsourcing funding to keep its driving school open.

Film and TV reviewer Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to discuss HBO Max's advent into the New Zealand market.

Getting children to eat their veggies, try new foods, and generally get a balanced diet are age-old parenting challenges.

Tech commentator Mark Pesce joins Kathryn for an update on what's happening with Anthropic's Fable shutdown, and more. 

RNZ's economics correspondent Gyles Beckford

Kereama discusses the return of Awakeri Hot Springs to descendants of Ngai Taiwhakaea after half a century of grievance. 

Lynn Freeman reviews Islands Ever After by Majella Cullinane, published by Quentin Wilson Publishing.

Dr Ben Crichton spent two years surveying Te Tai Poutini West Coast streams after dark, counting, catching and tagging fish.

They created a science fiction universe and films that turned everyday life into a future world, set in the year 2089. 

The latest from the UK, including a couple who were fired on by a Russian warship saying they don't want the incident to be blown out of proportion. 

It's now helped over two thousand more kids after expanding its operations into Whangarei and Upper Hutt over the years. 

From July 1, property owners will still get quarterly rates bills, but for the first time, get quarterly water bills - for tap, sewage and storm services - separately.