Nine To Noon for Friday 18 July 2025

09:05 Massive transfer of wealth coming as farmers age 

The next decade will see the largest inter-generational transfer of wealth as more than 17,000 farm and orchard owners reach pension age. A recent Rabobank report says based on current values that's $150 billion worth of assets to potentially change hands. However the research finds only one in three farmers have a formal succession plan in place. Rabobank Chief Executive Todd Charteris says the succession challenge ahead for the agricultural sector is becoming more complex, but must be addressed.

09:20 Fat Freddy's Drop founder Chris Faiumu dies

Chris Faiumu, the founder of the band Fat Freddy's Drop has died. More widely known as Mu and DJ Fitchie, he was the man behind the band's signature sound. Fat Freddy's Drop's 2005 album Based On a True Story is the third highest selling album ever by a New Zealand artist. It remained on the top 40 charts for two years. The band was also well known for its live improvised performances, and toured internationally. The band celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Kathryn speaks to RNZ Music writer Nick Bollinger.

09:30 The Women's Health Bus for rural Southland and Otago

A patient's round trip of seven hours for a gynaecological procedure was the spark that started Dr Helen Paterson's drive to treat women closer to where they lived. It took a number of years to get the Women's Health Bus - Te Waka Wahine Hauora - up and running. But now - 6 years later - the bus is taking clinics in rural towns and attending events such as A& P shows. Dr Helen Paterson,  is a senior lecturer and Head of Department of Women's Health at  Otago University, and she runs the bus with nurse practitioner Alice van Zijl. Helen Paterson joins Kathryn to talk about the health needs they are trying to answer. 

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins 

10:05 From undercover cop to All Black scrum coach

Before he was in the dugout watching Richie McCaw lift the 2011 Rugby World Cup, forwards coach Mike Cron had spent years working as a police detective. The Cantabrian, who is now an assistant to Joe Schmidt with the Wallabies, has had an unusual path to the coach he is today. From player-coaching the New Zealand Colts team in the 1970s, to looking after an amateur team in Canada, and then a Japanese university side. He went on to be part of the All Blacks' backroom staff from 2004 to 2019, involved in two World Cup wins. He then went on to be part of the Black Ferns' staff when they won the 2021 World Cup. He has become renowned for his work on scrum safety - for which he was made Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2015. He talks to Kathryn about his life and career and his new memoir Coach.

10:30 Champion shearers take on best in Wales 

A big weekend is looming in the UK for two of our top shearers. New Zealand champion Toa Henderson from Northland and Te Kuiti's Jack Fagan will face the best Welsh shearers in the first of a three test series this weekend. Last weekend, Toa won the French shearing championships. He's had a fantastic year so far - he won the prestigious golden shears open in March, shearing 20 sheep in 16 minutes, 15 seconds. Toa and team manager Neil Fagan join Kathryn from Wales.

10:35 Book review: How to Kill a Witch by Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi

Martene McCaffrey from Unity Books Auckland reviews How to Kill a Witch by Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi, published by Monoray.

10:45 Around the motu: David Hill in North Canterbury

David discusses the Local Government NZ Conference and reactions from local councils to instructions from the Resource Management Act Reform Minister Chris Bishop to stop working on District and Regional Plans until the new RMA legislation takes effect, plus the possible scrapping of regional councils. David gives an update on North Canterbury water service delivery plans.

David Hill is a Local Democracy Reporter with North Canterbury News, based in Rangiora.

11:05 Music reviewer Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy features a re-issue of a Paul Kelly classic, plays a track from Tami Neilson's new album and a collaboration between Roxy Music's Brian Eno and Beatie Wolf.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

11:45 The week that was with Donna Brookbanks and Elisabeth Easther

Comedians Donna Brookbanks and Elisabeth Easther.