Nine To Noon

James Waterhouse, BBC correspondent reporting from Jerusalem and the Turkey–Iran border. He describes Iran’s threats to Gulf infrastructure and the 48-hour ultimatum. Air-raid sirens and civilians fleeing toward Turkey are discussed. He explains divergent US and Israeli aims, risks of escalation and possible ground operations, plus flows across the border and rising violence in the West Bank.

Patrick Sharp, General Manager of Aura Information Security at Cordia, is a critical infrastructure and cybersecurity expert. He discusses New Zealand’s overdue cyber plan, recent breaches and rising ransomware, AI-enabled phishing and supply-chain risks. He explains who counts as critical infrastructure, potential penalties, and practical defenses like network segmentation and testing.

Dana Johannsen, RNZ sports editor and journalist covering cricket, rugby, athletics and integrity issues. She discusses the NZ20 vs Big Bash dilemma and board tensions. They talk about the White Ferns and Black Caps doubleheader action. Clubs ditching junior fees to boost participation gets attention. She also flags athletes to watch at the World Indoor Championships and delays in sport integrity probes.

Irene Pink, comedian and performer known for sharp observational comedy, and Te Radar, storyteller and broadcaster famed for witty radio tales, trade rapid-fire riffs. They riff on memes, panic-buying and fuel queues. They debate scream clubs, a goldfish in a motion-sensing car, spring-cleaning rewards, AI helpers for parents, wedding fees and silly storm names.

Jimmy Ellingham, a Manawatu-based RNZ reporter covering regional and rural issues. He outlines the pause on school bus-route reviews and impacts on families. He discusses the Kaimanawa horse muster and population-control concerns. He describes Lake Horowhenua weed-harvest efforts and improving water quality. He reports a reversal on Levin speed-limit plans and a Government farm cadet programme gaining strong interest.

Jack McConnell, bookseller and reviewer from Unity Books Auckland, gives a lively take on Christopher Buehlman’s Between Two Fires. He recounts its 2012 obscurity and online resurgence leading to a NZ reprint. He situates the story in plague-era France, teases a disgraced knight and saintly girl on a perilous journey, and highlights its blend of historical grit, supernatural horror and redemption.

Hazel Heal, a long-term hepatitis C patient turned campaigner who helped set up buyer's-club access to generics, shares her journey from emergency treatment to advocacy. She explains how buyer's clubs and legal import rules enable affordable medicines. She outlines Pacific testing campaigns, expanding supplies beyond drugs, and a plan for a Pacific-wide buyer's club to bulk-purchase treatments and essentials.

Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific Editor who covers Pacific politics and community life. He unpacks Solomon Islands' mass minister resignations and a constitutional standoff over recalling parliament. He outlines Pacific governments urging calm on fuel supplies. He reports on the Cook Islands PM's New Zealand visit and the controversy around Christopher Luxon's matai title.

Carly Triska, manager of the Pukekohe Adoption Centre who runs a walk-through rehoming model, talks about matching dogs to the right owners. She explains the open meet-and-greet system and how staff steer people toward calmer, better-fit dogs. Carly also covers their rehoming numbers, support for adopters, and the centre’s training and socialisation practices.

Dr Adi Imsirovic, oil markets expert with 35 years trading experience and Oxford lecturing, breaks down recent strikes on energy infrastructure. He explains why gas facility damage is uniquely damaging. He compares spot and futures pricing, describes trader panic and rising transport and insurance costs. He outlines supply losses, inflation risks and how high prices could go if disruptions persist.