Nine To Noon for Thursday 14 August 2025

09:05  Police shooting in Christchurch 

Cordons remain in place on Clyde Road in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr where police shot two people at a Kainga Ora property last night. A woman died and a man is critically injured. Police say they were told a man was armed with a knife, threatening to hurt himself and his partner. Susie speaks to our Christchurch reporter on the scene Adam Burns.

09:10 Age Concern branch cutting some services as survey shows increase in need    

The Wellington Branch of Age Concern says it has had to cut services due to an overall reduction in government funding and increased demand for financial help from service providers . At the same time a sector survey has set out the increasing need for support among the older population. A report by the insurance company, New Zealand Seniors, indicates that 2 out of 5 older people feel their quality of life has declined in the past 2 years. Financial security is said to be a major concern, with 60% reporting it as a key factor. The survey, involving 500 New Zealanders over the age of 50,  suggests the situation is being worsened  by difficulties in accessing timely healthcare and increasing social isolation, which is  leading to a  decline in mental well-being. Susie is joined by the CEO of  Age Concern Auckland Kevin Lamb

09:25 NZ book sector unites to drive growth, support local and protect copyright in the era of AI

 For the first time, the New Zealand book sector is on the same page when it comes to how to tackle the biggest challenges facing the industry. Publishers, authors, illustrators, writers, librarians, educators and others have all had input into a five year-plan to boost visibility and sales of local books. Some Kiwi authors have made great gains on the international stage - Catherine Chidgey, Nicky Pellegrino, Charity Norman, Jenny Pattrick and Witi Ihimaera have all been credited with 'shifting the dial' in demand for New Zealand stories. But how to help support the rest is part of the work sought under the plan, being championed by the Coalition for Books. Also in its sights is a dedicated funding stream from Creative New Zealand, as well as pushing government on legislative changes for stronger copyright protections, and a fairer share for authors under the Public Lending Right which determines how much authors earn from their books being in libraries. Kiwi author Riley Chance has long expressed frustration with that system - he joins Susie, along with Coalition for Books chair Melanie Laville Moore.

09:35 Cautious optimism over changes to human trafficking law

Anti human trafficking advocates are welcoming news that trafficking and people smuggling laws will soon be strengthened - with the hope it will result in more prosecutions. Since 2009, over 50 victims of trafficking have been identified in New Zealand, but only four prosecutions have been undertaken and just two of these prosecutions have led to a conviction. The Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed the changes would form part of the current reforms being made to the Crimes Act. Rebekah Armstrong is a member of the Human Trafficking Research Coalition and Head of Advocacy and Justice at World Vision New Zealand.

09:45 UK: Starmer warns of further Russia sanctions, Minister's fish licence mistake

UK correspondent Harriet Line details UK PM Keir Starmer's latest comments on Ukraine - including that Donald Trump's interventions have made a ceasefire chance more 'viable' and that Britain could place further sanctions on Russia if necessary. Treasury is looking at options to raise additional revenue from inheritance tax and the Foreign Secretary David Lammy is in hot water after it emerged he didn't have a rod licence to go fishing with US Vice President JD Vance.

Harriet Line is Deputy Political Editor of the Daily Mail

10:05 Bret McKenzie on creepy crawlies and making music

He's an Oscar winner, a Grammy winner and an Emmy nominee. Bret McKenzie first came to international prominence as one half of the musical comedy duo, Flight of the Conchords and has since forged a successful solo career, writing and recording songs for both television and film - including this year's massive box office hit, A Minecraft Movie. His work has been sung by Celine Dion, Benee and Lizzo to name just a few. Based in his native Wellington, Bret is currently collaborating with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on their Creepy-Crawly Carnival. He's also about to release his second solo album, Freak Out City. Bret talks to Susie Ferguson about why creepy crawlies, classical music and children do mix and what fans can expect from his latest record.

10:30 Maōri nurses numbers need to increase fivefold  - report    

10:35 Book review: Liar's Game by Jack Beaumont

Gail Pittaway reviews Liar's Game by Jack Beaumont, published by Allen & Unwin

10:45 Around the motu: James Pocock in Gisborne

James discusses Gisborne City Council being challenged over the financial viability of its water plans, whether  the Christmas parade might return after a five year absence and a local couple celebrate being married for 78 years.

James Pocock is the Gisborne Herald Editor 

11:05 Tech: Fortnite wins battle in Oz, AI co Perplexity vies to buy Chrome

Technology commentator Peter Griffin joins Susie to look at a victor for Fortnite creator Epic Games, which has won a partial battle in Australia over restrictions placed on it in Apple and Google Play stores - but will it result in any changes? As antitrust action gathers pace in the US against Google, an AI company called Perplexity is throwing its hat in the ring to buy Chrome - with an offer that's wildly more than the small company is valued at. And ChatGPT creator Open AI is building its own AI browser to take on Chrome - could it be a game changer in how people browse the internet?

Peter Griffin is a Wellington-based science and technology journalist.

11:25 Parenting:  the balance between good cop and  boundaries

Neuroscience educator and parenting coach Nathan Wallis discusses finding the balance with boundaries for children and teens while maintaining an open trusting relationship. He says boundaries give children an edge to their world, and teach them what's acceptable.  

11:45 Screentime: Weapons, A Dangerous Boy, Chief of War

Film and TV correspondent Tamar Munch joins Susie to talk about new American mystery horror film Weapons - what if every child in one class got up one night, left the house and never returned? A Dangerous Boy (on DocPlay) tells the real-life story of Siggie Thordarson - a teen hacker who went on to work for Julian Assange - but later collaborated with the FBI. And Chief of War (Apple TV+) stars Jason Momoa who rebelled against the unification of Hawaii.