Nine To Noon

Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web and advocate for decentralised personal data, reflects on the web's original open vision and how it became optimised for profit. He discusses addictive algorithm design, platform monopolies, SOLID data pods that return control to individuals, and the idea of personal AIs that use only your data.

Tamar Munch, a film and TV reviewer who offers critical context and recommendations, discusses Netflix's Dynasty: The Murdochs, Mr Nobody Against Putin, and The Madison. She highlights Dynasty's archival focus and talking‑head packaging. She outlines a Russian documentary about enforced classroom propaganda and its chilling consequences. She also sketches Sheridan's neo‑Western family drama set in Montana.

Warren Ngan-Woo, Financial Wellbeing programme manager at Westpac who runs money workshops for young people. He talks about making money relatable for teens, renaming 'budget' to goal-based plans, habit-building savings techniques and the power of compound interest. Also covers scam awareness, crypto caution and practical tips like routing pay into savings and checking payslips.

Tony Grasso, CISO at COGENT and former GCHQ/New Zealand intelligence officer, breaks down recent high-profile cyber incidents. He discusses data exfiltration from a finance ministry, ransomware theft of 1.5 TB from a major pharmaceutical, industrial espionage risks to pharma, and attribution of a defense contractor breach to Iranian actors. He also explains account hijacks via social engineering and living-off-the-land attacker tactics.

Ian Allen, Stuff’s Marlborough editor who covers local wine, housing and community life. He discusses dire warnings for wine growers and pressures from rising land valuations. He shares a young buyer’s path out of renting and a dramatic beagle rescue in the bush. He also previews the new Fruit Loop music festival.

Elisabeth Easther, broadcaster and writer who reviews books for New Zealand radio, gives a sharp critique of R. L. Maizes's A Complete Fiction. She outlines the novel’s premise about writers and alleged theft. She discusses public fallout from an accusation, shifting stakes for characters, the book’s comic tone tackling dark themes, and its exploration of creativity, cancel culture and trauma.

Kenneth Roth, former long-term executive director of Human Rights Watch and veteran human rights advocate. He discusses strategic international pressure and shaming as tools to constrain abusive regimes. He weighs targeted versus broad sanctions, the role of alliances and credibility, UN relevance, tech’s risks and opportunities, and how public pressure and coordinated diplomacy can change policy.

Steph Spiro, Deputy Political Editor and Environment Editor at the Daily Express, gives concise UK political reporting. She outlines arrests after ambulances were burned in Golders Green. She recounts a stolen phone tied to high-profile messages and scrutiny over backups. She covers new iPhone age checks, a teen social media trial, a crypto donations ban, and the appointment of a former Google exec as BBC chief.

India Logan-Riley, climate justice advocate and Project Manager/Policy Lead for Tai Tāwheto Tai Tipua, represents Indigenous and rangatahi Māori voices at UN climate talks. They discuss rising youth-led activism. Topics include immediate climate impacts on communities, cross-community coalitions, linking transport and local production to resilience, and the politics around mitigation and planning.

Miles Ward, Deputy Chief Digital Officer leading New Zealand's digital strategy, explains the All of Government app and digital identity work. He discusses joining up siloed services, a hub-and-spoke rollout, a digital wallet for credentials, in-app secure messaging, and an AI assistant to help navigate services.