Nine To Noon for Monday 17 November 2025

09:05 How ACC plans to get thousands of people off weekly compensation 

ACC is planning to use artificial intelligence to identify claimants it could remove from the long term claims pool, as a way to save money, even though it acknowledges this could produce errors. ACC has been under strict instruction from its Minister Scott Simpson to reduce the long term claims pool - which is the largest it has even been. Earlier this year the organisation commissioned advice to work out how it could both remove existing clients, and prevent new ones from entering the pool. The cohort exists of anyone who has been receiving weekly compensation for more than one year. Currently almost 25-thousand are in the pool. In the year to June 2025 a record 8,000 long term claimants were taken off its books - because they were deemed "work ready". And ACC plans to ramp up exists even more - with a goal of 11,675 exists by June next year. By the year 2028 it hopes to have more people coming out of the pool, than coming in. 

09:25  One island down and one to go  - conquering all 23 Great Rides in 30 days

Andrew Robinson has set himself a goal of conquering all of New Zealand's  23 Great Rides in just a month. Kathryn  spoke to him as he was planning his trip a month ago. Now he is one island through his fundraising venture for Movember and men's health. 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. He set off from the Hauraki Rail Trail and headed south. He joins Kathryn from  near Nelson, where he is about to tackle his 3rd South lsland ride: the Great Taste Trail.

09:35 The art exhibition showcasing prisoners' shoes 

Dozens of shoes line a current art exhibition on display at Whirinaki Whare Taonga in Upper Hutt. And while they all began as the same plain white canvas shoe, each has been decorated as uniquely as the artist's story behind it. The exhibition Worn showcases prisoners' creativity - and is a partnership between the Department of Corrections and the art school The Learning Connexion, which is based in Taita in Lower Hutt. Sharon Hall - operations director at The Learning Connexion - started up the partnership 19 years ago, and says it is a critical programme for prisoners' recovery and rehabilitation. And for a cohort living within the confines of uniform and the loss of individual expression, the chance to express themselves through art cannot be understated. Grant Barriball, the creativity kaiako at The Learning Connexion, and Sharon Hall speak to Kathryn.

09:45 South Africa correspondent Debora Patta 

10:05 Christian Hartinger using metals for new cancer drugs

Leading Auckland University scientist Professor Christian Hartinger has been recognised for his work using metals to develop next-generation cancer drugs. The Royal Society has given him the Hector Medal for his work, which bridges chemistry and biology to target specific proteins in cancer cells. A major focus of Christian's work is to reduce the side effects that can occur during chemotherapy and to target cancer cells more effectively, thereby reducing their ability to develop resistance to future treatments. Christian completed his PhD in Vienna in 2001, and has been at the University of Auckland since 2011, helping to supervise more than 80 research students and publishing more than 250 scientific papers.

10:30 Manufactured feed to cut livestock methane 

Two Waikato scientists have made a feedstock they say reduces livestock methane output by as much as 90 per cent. And last week, their Australian-based company Number 8 Bio was able to close out their Series A funding raise with backing of $11million, led by Icehouse Ventures. The money will go towards getting regulatory approvals to then sell the product in New Zealand and in Europe. Their product uses an organic small molecule manufactured in a lab to create a feed that has been shown in independent trials to cut methane output by 90 per cent. Dr Tom Williams is chief executive of Number 8 Bio, and is a co-founder of the company. 

10:35 Book review: Attention by Anne Enright

Cynthia Morahan reviews Attention by Anne Enright, published by Penguin Random House.

10:45 Around the motu: Tom Hunt in Wellington 

Tom discusses how Wellington City Council lost  money in carbon trading, allegations the Hutt Council is easier to deal with than Wellington and failed mayoral candidate, Ray Chung, is investing in PR help.

11:05 Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Peter Dunne 

Peter Dunne was the leader of United Future and is a former MP and Minister who has worked within both National and Labour governments.

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, consultant and director of several companies. He is currently the Campaign Director for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. 

11:30 Award winning family recipes

Jill Hermansen - founder of Jill’s Complements- works from her kitchen in her hometown of Whanganui producing a range of complementary foods based on some of her own family recipes. Her Rustic Seed Crackers - handed down from her mum - made the finals in this year's NZ Food Awards.

11:45 Urban Issues with Bill McKay

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.