Nine To Noon for Friday 29 August 2025

09:05  Aucklanders digest plans to accommodate 2 million new homes

Under the banner "The Future of Your Neighbourhood, " Auckland's  Character Coaltion group held a meeting in Mount Eden last night where local politicians and MPs were grilled over council proposals for urban intensification and a planned loss of Special Character status for homes in the area. Next week, a similar meeting is being held in Parnell,  been called by the MP for  Epsom, David Seymour. Both are in response to the Auckland Council approving the first phase of plans to accommodate up to two million new homes by changing how and where those homes would be built. The latest plan follows an option from the RMA reform minister, Chris Bishop, to allow the council to opt out of  medium density provisions across the whole city and to focus instead on greater intensification near transport hubs.  This could result in apartment blocks up to 15 stories high to ensure people are living near the new central rail link,  and the removal of character protections, especially in Kingsland. The Minister and Auckland's Mayor, Wayne Brown, say the intensification is needed to make the most of the $5.5b rail link investment and to reduce congestion. But Christine Fletcher, the councillor who represents both Mr Eden and Kingsland, has described the plans, and reduced opportunity for feedback, as planning by firing squad. To explain the range of changes being proposed Kathryn is joined Richard Hills, who is The Chair of Auckland Council's Policy & Planning Committee, and Christine Fletcher who was one of the speakers at the meeting in Mt  Eden last night.

09:20 Warnings Kiwis risk going blind from an easily treated condition

Eye specialists say some Kiwis are at risk of going blind, because they're not getting access to the care they need to treat one of the most common causes of vision loss. Age-related macular degeneration affects one in seven New Zealanders, and a new report by Eye Health Aotearoa and Roche Products has looked at the experience of people living with neovascular age-related macular degeneration - a severe form of AMD also known as "wet" or "advanced" AMD. The project found big gaps in patients' understanding of the condition, delays in diagnosis - particularly in the regions - and trouble with access to consistent treatment. Kathryn speaks to Dr Francesc March, a Dunedin-based ophthalmologist and retina specialist, who can talk to how the condition can advance, what to look out for, and treatment options. He'll also talk to what would make a difference when it comes to good and timely care for all New Zealanders. She also speaks with Bronwyn Anderson, who explains what happened to her five years ago as she drove into work in Wellington.

09:35 A record-breaking year for pest control in Pukenui Forest 

Populations of North Island brown kiwi, kākā and long-tailed bats are starting to swell as pest control efforts within Pukenui Forest near Whangārei ramp up. The Pukenui Trust team are celebrating a a record-breaking year in pest reduction and will soon move into the previously untackled eastern part of the 2000-hectare forest. It's been 17 years since pest control began in the area, and with the advent of time, and advancements in technology, the birdsong is at times, deafening. Colloquially referred to as "the lungs of the city", Pukenui Forest borders Whangārei city on the west, covering around 1700ha from the Whau Valley area, north, down to Kara Rd towards Maungatapere, south. It was logged in the 1920s but has since regenerated and is the largest remaining remnant of native lowland forest in the district. Pukenui Trust chair and volunteer is Tim Martin.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific's editor Koroi Hawkins discusses Samoa's election, a major Fiji drug trafficking operation has seen a hefty fine handed down, and the Marshall Islands parliament has burnt down.

10:05 Tales of horror and heroism in Cyclone Gabrielle podcast 

A doctor who worked at a Bay View makeshift clinic following Cyclone Gabrielle has documented the stories of 14 people who lived through the disaster in February 2023. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Kristin Speers helped those dealing with physical trauma - skin and soft tissue injuries at risk of infection, gastro-enteritis with the expose to contaminants in the floodwaters and silt, and of course, psychological trauma. When the clinic closed down she delved in to helping people manage insurance and grants and funding applications - she helped unlock about 170-thousand dollars for people through the various funds that were made available. Then came the idea, along with a group of locals, to capture residents' stories in a book. Kristin was the "designated interviewe " and spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours speaking to 150 people, often on more than one occasion, surveying their property, looking at photos, and being a gentle ear for many who had never spoken about what they went through. The book is still a work in progress, and Kristin - who felt a deep sense of duty to the people who had given her their time -  set about making a podcast. With no audio, media or journalistic help, she has created a 10-part series, telling the stories of 14 people, called Under the Weather. Philip Barber - who survived the Cyclone by climbing onto the roof of his house with his young family - is in episode one of the podcast. Kristin and Philip speak to Kathryn Ryan. 

10:30 Cuts to War Memorial Carillon

The government has spent over $10 million to do up the country's bell tower that plays for fallen soldiers, but is now getting rid of the only person who plays it. The country's sole carillonist, Timothy Hurd, has been playing the bells - 74 of them, totalling 70 tonnes, spanning six octaves - for about 40 years in a bell tower that is now the centrepiece of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Hurd used to play them three times a week. But once the tower reopens after seismic-strengthening early next year, that will be cut right back to once a year. Historian Stephen Clarke says for the bells to fall silent is tantamount to forgetting. Former National Minister for Culture and Heritage, Chris Finlayson speaks with Kathryn. 

10:35 Book review: Wednesday's Children by Robin Hyde

Airini Beautrais reviews Wednesday's Children by Robin Hyde, published by Otago University Press.

 

10:43 Police briefing on fugitive dad Tom Phillips

Police have just held a media briefing after a sighting in the Waikato town of Piopio of two people they believe are the fugitive father Tom Phillips and one of his three children.Phillips has been on the run with his three children in remote parts of the Waikato for the past four years. RNZ Waikato reporter Libby Kirky-McLeod has been a the briefing and joins us now.

10:45 Around the motu: Jimmy Ellingham in Manawatu

The background to the spying court martial held at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, cuts to counselling service hours,child literature masters and candidates for local government elections.

Jimmy Ellingham is RNZ's reporter in Manawatu

11:05 Music reviewer Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor from Slow Boat Records plays two tracks from The Beths fourth album; a second album from Florida singer-songwriter Hayden Anhedonia and some new heavy rock from Deftones.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam talks about Hamish Kerr's triumph at the World Athletics Champs; shock after the death of former rugby player Shane Christie, and The AIMS games get underway in Tauranga this weekend.

11:45 Corgi racing & confusing roundabouts 

Our comedians Te Radar and Elisabeth Easther with some laughs to end the week including Lithuania's international Corgi race which is drawing four legged competitors from around Europe.