Nine To Noon

Vanuatu authorities confirm minor eruption at Ambae volcano and what the latest Middle East strikes mean for the Pacific.

A date for the The Seascape Tower's completion is even more uncertain now its owner and developer Shundi Customs has gone into receivership.

A competition researcher says supermarket real time pricing, could potentially lead to collusion.

The seventh narco sub in Pacific waters has been discovered this week as the wave of methamphetamine becomes the latest crisis challenging the region.

James Croot, a film and TV reviewer, dives into Tenor: My Name is Pati, tracing Pene Pati’s Samoa-to-opera journey and intimate family footage. He also discusses a stylish Young Sherlock reimagined with action and flair. Plus a darkly comic, non-linear murder mystery in DTF St. Louis and a climate-disaster season of Paradise.

Helen Ellis, researcher and author of Being a Distance Grandchild, shares her family story and research on long-distance grandparenting. She explores what distance grandchildren treasure, why visits feel intense, how relationships shift with age, and practical rhythms to stay connected. She also discusses the perks and pitfalls of technology, the importance of one-on-one time, and avoiding guilt in migrant families.

Marc Pesce, tech correspondent and futurist, explains Anthropic’s rise and the Pentagon standoff. He walks through DoD contract red lines, the supply-chain risk designation, and OpenAI’s rapid deal. Discussion covers AI’s role in target selection, surveillance and de-anonymisation, and worrying biometric and social-media innovations.

Kaitlyn Morrell, Bay of Plenty Times journalist covering local news and community issues. She discusses a $400m Tauriko West housing development with a 200‑unit retirement village. She covers a pool diving injury and the resulting safety review. She explores young Kiwis moving to Australia for higher wages. She celebrates Mount Brewing’s 30th year as a family business.

Jennifer Andrews, diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's and a long-distance walker who has written about her pilgrimages, shares her journeys. She talks about planning a 150 km Wellington circuit, coping with winds and hills, and practical gear and blister prevention. She explains walking techniques, conscious gaiting with Parkinson's, and how long treks reshape perspective and resilience.

Brendan Cullen, a New South Wales farmer and long-distance open-water swimmer whose memoir The Desert Swimmer chronicles recovery from depression. He talks about how swimming began as therapy and led to training for the English Channel. He describes cold adaptation, weight-gain strategy, long outback training drives, the eight-hour qualifier and the tense crossing with shifting tides and a crucial support team.