Nine To Noon

Geoff Volbrecht, founder of ImpacTex and textile recycling entrepreneur, leads efforts to turn unwanted uniforms into recycled products. He talks about sourcing branded uniforms from corporates and retailers. He explains converting garments back into fabric, making semi-rigid textile panels for signage, closed-loop reuse, and challenges scaling these solutions in New Zealand.

Susana Tomaz, teacher and director of Futures and AI Strategy at Westlake Girls High School, leads a national Day of AI initiative to build student and teacher AI literacy. She discusses how students already use AI widely, differences between classroom and out-of-class use, ethical risks like AI companions, and a free curriculum aimed at responsible, human-centered AI learning.

A lively chat about Kiwi comedy Crackhead and Holly Shervey’s darkly funny lead. A chaotic rehab storyline centered on Frankie Jones gets unpacked. Discussion of strong supporting performances and adult tonal comparisons. Rachel Weisz’s intimate, fourth-wall turns in Vladimir and campus intrigue are highlighted. A look at Rooster’s campus showdown featuring Steve Carell and Harrison Ford.

Anish Maram, Oral Health Promotions Manager for the Dental Association, explains dental changes from ages 10–18 and how to spot first adult molar issues. He discusses access and waitlist challenges, practical toothbrushing and flossing routines, timing around acidic drinks, and school-based dental services. Short tips on warning signs to watch for are also covered.

Peter Griffin, technology writer and commentator, breaks down Microsoft's decision to side with Anthropic and its ripple effects. He discusses the Pentagon contract fallout, Microsoft's court filing and Azure ties. He also explores AI use in military intelligence, concerns about autonomous weapons and surveillance, and the sustainability challenges of growing data centres.

Jared McCulloch, a 1 News reporter in Queenstown covering housing, infrastructure and tourism. He discusses government changes allowing foreign purchases of $5m-plus homes and local market supply. He outlines rising rents hitting nearly $900 weekly in Queenstown. He walks through wastewater treatment challenges and costly upgrade options. He also explores golf tourism growth and land-use tensions with housing.

Jenna Todd, bookseller and reviewer at Time Out Bookstore in Auckland, gives a spirited take on Daniyal Mueenuddin’s novel. She highlights its Pakistan setting, interwoven four-story structure, vivid farming and place details, memorable central characters like Bayezid and Saqib, and the charged final fifty pages. She also touches on the author’s background and why the book has drawn strong attention.

S.A. Cosby, an American crime novelist celebrated for Southern Noir (author of Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears), shares stories from his rural Virginia roots and how early lives and odd jobs birthed his characters. He talks about persistence through rejections, finding an authentic voice shaped by Southern dualities, and the pull of adaptations for screen.

Hugo Gye, UK political editor at the i newspaper covering Westminster, outlines newly released Mandelson documents and warnings to Keir Starmer. He discusses Labour’s mixed reactions and leadership pressure. He explains the UK joining an IEA oil release to calm fuel prices and the debate over fuel duty. He also covers the government losing an appeal over a quashed terror charge involving Irish rap trio Kneecap.

Brian Coghlan, coal-shoveling world record holder and event judge, talks about the Rural Games' coal shovelling event. He explains the banjo shovel shape and scooping technique. He outlines race setup, duo strategy and typical times. He describes the physical demands, core and leg power, and traces the sport's coal-mining roots and decline.