Nine To Noon for Monday 12 May 2025

09:05 Predator Free 2050: what next for the national pest eradication plan?

Rats, stoats and possums are being culled across hundreds of thousands of hectares, and the predator free by 2050 goal remains in sight. But what will the next phase of the project look like, as harder to reach areas are tackled, technology improves and funding becomes more difficult to secure. So far 757,000 hectares of land is covered by 18 projects overseen by Predator Free 2050 Limited - the Crown-owned company set up to deliver the 2050 goal. More than 100,000 hectares have been completely cleared of predators, including on Wellington's Miramar peninsula, with 71 percent more native birds counted in the country's capital in 2023 compared to 2018. Rob Forlong is the chief executive of Predator Free 2050 Limited, Al Bramley is the chief executive of Zero Invasive Predators and Brent Beaven is Department of Conservation Predator Free 2050 Manager.

09:20 David Parker: "I'll always advocate for tax reform"

David Parker signed off after more than two decades in politics last week with a final push for a tax on the wealthy. Specifically - either a capital gains tax, or a wealth tax - preferably both. However he acknowledge in his valedictory speech last week, it was a hard sell - even to his own party - a reference to him stepping down as Labour revenue spokesperson before the 2023 election, partly due to his party ruling both out. David Parker has twice held the role of Attorney General, and has also been Minister for Trade, Revenue, Economic Development, Associate Finance, Climate Change, Energy, Environment, State Services, Transport and Land Information ministerial portfolios. He says he's always been a conviction politician, part capitalist, part socialist.

09:45 Europe correspondent Thomas Sparrow in Germany 

The new German Government was elected this week. Who is the new Chancellor? And what are the new government's priorities?

10:05 Jaye Pukepuke's redemption from criminal to role model 

Jaye Pukepuke was set for a glittering rugby league career in the NRL. But crime curtailed Jaye Pukepuke's promising career and his convictions meant he wasn't able to accept a contract to play professionally in Australia. Jaye would end up committing 15 robberies and spending a cumulative 6 years in prison. On being released from prison, he went on to have a successful domestic rugby league career in Canterbury. A big part of Jaye's redemption story has been working with young men who, much like Jaye, have struggled in traditional education settings. He openly shares his story with them in a bid to make sure they don't make similar mistakes that cost them future opportunities. After stints working for other youth organisations, he founded Bros for Change in 2016 with friend Tieki Kupenga - another former inmate who'd turned his life around. Jaye has now told his story in a book, Inner Warrior, tracing his journey. 

10:35 Book review: Bound: A memoir of making and remaking by Maddie Ballard 

Stella Chrysostomou of Volume Books reviews Bound: A memoir of making and remaking by Maddie Ballard published by Emma Press

10:45 Around the motu: Amy Williams in Auckland

Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray's controversial plans for a helipad go before a council panel this week as the council tries to tighten rules for helipads on Waiheke and Great Barrier islands. The most valuable state house in New Zealand is in Ponsonby, and Western Springs options are out for consultation. 

Amy Williams is a RNZ senior reporter in Auckland

11:05 Political commentators Peter Dunne and Sue Moroney

Commentators Peter Dunne and Sue Moroney discuss the government's urgent move to reform pay equity legislation and the implications for women voters, the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill, and the sudden elevation of the recently announced Bill to ban social media for under 16s.

Peter Dunne was the leader of United Future , and is a former MP and Minister who's worked in governing arrangements with both National and Labour.

Sue Moroney is a former MP with the Labour Party and now chief executive of Community Law Centres Aotearoa. 

11:30 Award winning cheeses out of Hōhepa Hawke's Bay

In Hawkes Bay, Hōhepa is an organisation which offers supported housing, education and employment to people with intellectual disabilities. The home and associated farm has been open for decades, but their focus only shifted to improving their cheese production in 2012. They've since taken home several national awards for their Hōhepa Vintage and Danbo cheeses. Most recently they won the sustainability trophy at the Outstanding Food Producers awards for their social and environmental impact. Kathryn speaks with Hōhepa chief executive Santiago De Marco and customer experience officer Jen Cho.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne 

Kennedy joins from Adelaide, but keeps the story-telling local. He discusses the recent supposed sightings of moose in Fiordland: two in the space of two months, in approx the same location. Kennedy tells the story of how moose came to NZ, and thoughts on whether these recent sightings could actually be the elusive ungulate.