Nine To Noon for Tuesday 21 October 2025

09:05 Road workers abused regularly: new report 

A new report paints a sobering picture for road workers - with drivers regularly refusing to stop and verbally abusing traffic controllers. Those are some of the results from the first survey of road workers done by the Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group. The survey was done here and in Australia - with 667 traffic controllers answering questions about safety, verbal and physical abuse as well as near misses. More than 60 per cent reported weekly verbal abuse. The chair of the Temporary Traffic Management Industry Steering Group Darren Wu says the results of the survey are deeply concerning and change is needed. The group wants a public awareness campaign calling on drivers to slow down for road workers, and to have roadwork safety embedded into driver training. Darren Wu speaks to Kathryn. 

09:20 The banned cricketer educating athletes on risks of match fixing

Former Black Cap Lou Vincent received a lifetime ban from cricket in 2014, after admitting participating in matchfixing. The ban was lifted in 2023, now Vincent is working with police to educate athletes about the risks of being approached to match fix or spot fix aspects of a game. He has spoken of being dragged into the world of match fixing in India, when at a low point in his life, and vulnerable, and was involved in attempting to manipulate multiple cricket matches, by spot fixing, around the world. He is speaking up at a time when sports people, including New Zealand footballers, are being targeted by international match fixers. This includes Ex-All White Clayton Lewis who last year pleaded guilty to participation in a so-called `yellow-card' scheme. Lou Vincent, now 46, says what he is doing is a very small part of keeping the integrity of sports. He is also taking part in an upcoming cricket/golfing fundraiser alongside Northlander David Mullan. 

09:35 Landlords respond to research criticism on occupancy limits 

Researchers are calling for a review of tenant occupancy limit rules, saying the limits are increasing housing costs, forcing families to hide household members or live apart, and leaving people struggling to access housing. The research, undertaken by The Housing and Health Research Programme which is part of the University of Otago, found that landlords often set restrictive limits on how many people can live in a rental home. It studied all rental listings on Trade Me for one month and found limits are usually one more person than the number of bedrooms - for example six people in a five-bedroom house - leaving larger homes underused. The study suggests reviewing how occupancy limits are set - to better align with public health guidance - and make living costs more affordable. Under the Residential Tenancies Act landlords can decide how many people can live in a rental property. Matt Ball is spokesperson for the Property Investors Federation. 

09:45 USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

Millions joined the global 'No Kings' protests this weekend - as dissent towards the Trump presidency grows. Meanwhile, Trump's recent calls with Putin and Zelenskyy have raised eyebrows, with his stance on arming Ukraine softening after his conversation with the Russian leader. And as the government shutdown drags into its 20th day, workers are missing paychecks and Trump shows little urgency to end it, instead mocking Democrats and threatening selective payments while pushing ahead with layoffs.    

Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk.

10:05 The Northland enterprise where the disabled are thriving 

When Rachel Hill's son, who has Down Syndrome, left school there were limited options for his employment, education and training. So Rachel took matters into her own hands. He was interested in becoming a barista, so she purchased a coffee cart where he could learn skills and have a job. From there, with help from the Provincial Growth Fund, Rachel, with help from another mother, worked to build an organisation in their home town of Whangārei packing and delivering food boxes. It employed those with disabilities and expanded into a fruit and vegetable shop - then the funding ran out. It was at this point Rachel was at a crossroads .. close it all down or carry on off her own steam. She chose the latter. With a background in management, and her own funds, Taimahi Trust was born. It now boasts a commercial kitchen, hot house, and retail store. It currently employs 27 people who are all undertaking various skills development programmes within the organisation. I spoke to her earlier and asked how it all started.

10:30 Family loss leads to mental health support in schools

A Hawkes Bay family that lost a son to suicide is now behind a drive to get digital well-being support into as many schools as possible. They've formed a charitable trust in memory of Reid O'Leary who lost his life just after his 21st birthday, after struggling silently with mental health. New Zealand's suicide rates have decreased slightly in recent years - but remain high, especially for young people and Māori. The Trust has now launched the REID Wellness programme that provides digital platforms in schools allowing students who aren't feeling great to contact a teacher of their choice to talk things through. It wants to make Hawkes Bay the first region where students in all schools have access to support and well being help. Russell Borschman is a friend of the family and on the Trust's board.

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If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

10:40 Book review: Eat Wilde by Sophie Merkens

Gail Pittaway reviews Eat Wilde by Sophie Merkens, published by Penguin Random House.

10:45 Around the motu: RNZ's Manawatu reporter, Jimmy Ellingham

The winners and losers in local government elections,  as stoush over a Palmerston North park and letting dogs off the leash and the opening of a new mental health ward.

11:05 Business correspondent Dan Brunskill

A deep dive into the inflation figures after Stats NZ revealed yesterday it reached a 15-month high touching the 3 per cent. That's thetop of the Reserve Bank's target band. Dan also discusses Labour's 'Future Fund' - a sovereign wealth fund to invest in New Zealand infrastructure and businesses. 

Dan Brunskill is an economic policy reporter for Interest NZ

11:30 Attempting to conquer all 23 Great Rides in 30 days    

Conquering all  23 of New Zealand's Great Rides in just a month is the fundraising challenge facing  Andrew Robinson in November. He is planning the ride to raise funds for Movember, the annual event focusing on men's health issues such as prostate cancer. Such extreme events are not new to Andrew as in 2021 he became the first person to  complete all 10 of the Great Walks in 10 days. Andrew Robinson speaks to Kathryn about why he is taking on the challenge.

11:45 Sports with Joe Porter

The Silver Ferns try to turn around after a heavy defeat to Australia in the Constellation Cup with the second test in Sydney on Wednesday. Ireland are struck by injuries before their rugby test with the All Blacks in Chicago. The Black Caps lose to England in the second T20 after the opening match was rained out. 

RNZ Sports reporter, Joe Porter