Nine To Noon for Wednesday 26 November 2025

09:05 The regional council jobs that might now be done by mayors 

Mayors around the country have only just got their feet under the table to work with the newly elected councils when they've been handed a possible extra new job, control of  territorial authorities.The proposal is part of the Government's plans revealed yesterday afternoon, to scrap regional councillors. Instead district and city mayors would take on those roles, forming Combined Territories Boards with two years to propose a longer term structure.The Resource Management Act Reform Minister Chris Bishop has said it is unlikely unlikely the status quo would continue and referred to unitary authorities, or a single layer of government,  for a specific area. Susie is joined in the studio by Wellington mayor, Andrew Little and we are also speaking to Gisborne mayor, Rehette Stoltz

09:25 Tackling the problem of abandoned boats

The problem of abandoned boats at marinas and bays around the country appears to be growing. Last month, the Marlborough Harbourmaster Jake Oliver, had to declare an old fishing vessel a wreck after it broke free in strong winds and ran aground and he says this isn't an isolated incident. He says dealing with old boats, or those that have been poorly maintained and are now at risk of sinking, is a problem that has been reported from Northland, the Bay of Plenty, and down to the Marlborough Sounds. Even smaller vessels are causing problems, with Queenstown Lakes District Council issuing notice that from last month it would begin removing as many as 90 abandoned kayaks and boats from a popular reserve on the Wānaka lakefront. Susie speaks to Marlborough Harbourmaster, Jake Oliver.  

09:35 Endometriosis app creator Juliet Oliver 

Juliet Oliver's experience of severe endometriosis lead her to creating an app designed to help women use and track data and daily habits to help manage what can be a debilitating condition. She had stage 4 endometriosis -  an inflammatory disease, with symptoms including period and pelvic pain, subfertility and infertility. An estimated one in 10 New Zealand  women live with endometriosis and there is no cure for it. When confronted with the challenge of the condition, the systems engineer decided to apply  her problem-solving skills, research, and lived experience to develop a tool, Endo45 to empower sufferers. She's currently crowdfunding on PledgeMe to raise funds to expand awareness and the app’s capabilities. 

09:45 Australia: Costly weather website, food delivery drivers' wage boost

Australia correspondent Annika Smethurst talks about the bombshell revelatory cost of replacing the Bureau of Meteorology's website - the cost to taxpayers has blown out to A$96.5m - about 20 times the previously stated $4.1m. She'll also detail a 'world first' minimum pay for food delivery drivers - how will it work? 

Annika Smethurst is political editor at The Age

10:05 Willy Marsh on guiding dogs, and saving birdlife

A life in the bush pig hunting, and on the farm shearing have led Willy Marsh to become one of the country's foremost kiwi aversion trainers for dogs. Willy is Tuhoe and grew up around Waikaremoana before his work took him to end up living in the remote North Island town of Woodville. It was there his dog handling skills and teaching were noticed by Department of Conservation staff in Palmerston North, and he was soon contracted to carry out courses in bird aversion training. He's more recently been working as a dog trainer for the Capital Kiwi Project, teaching dogs on the Terawhiti Station west of Wellington to avoid kiwi. Willy uses models of kiwi, some with the real fur and scent of the bird attached, laid throughout the bush in conjunction with a vibrating collar to teach the dog to avoid the bird. It's not just kiwi - he's also working to teach dogs to avoid kororā (little penguins) and their nests. 

10:30 Cloud cover keeps heat watch at bay for eastern Otago 

From heat watches to rain warnings - the South Island is bearing the brunt of some particularly changeable Spring weather. Temperatures are beginning to soar along parts of central Otago, which is forecast to hit the high 20s in some areas. Heat alerts in place for Timaru and Oamaru are being kept at bay due to some well-timed cloud cover ... those areas were initially forecast to reach 30 degrees. MetService has started issuing its heat alerts earlier this year due to the hot conditions. Meanwhile central and upper South Island regions are under wind and rain warnings, with the rain set to move up the country later in the week. Tess Brunton is our reporter in Dunedin.

10:35 Book review: Good Things Come and Go by Josie Shapiro

Sonja de Friez reviews Good Things Come and Go by Josie Shapiro, published by Allen & Unwin.

10:45 Around the motu: Peter de Graaf in Northland

The search for a light plane that crashed in the Bay of Islands - both those on board escaped.  Peter looks at Hawaiian waka returning to Waitangi, 40 years after sparking a revival of Māori ocean voyaging. He'll look at local shock over the violent death of businessman Monty Knight and there's a big development in the long-running saga of Kāeo's water supply following a decade-long boil water notice.

11:05 Music with Ian Chapman: Guess the artist!

For some artists, changes to image and musical style are a central part of their modus operandi. These include David Bowie, Madonna, Prince, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles etc.  Other artists, however, become known for one signature style only. In today’s music spot Ian Chapman uncovers the unexpected radical reinventions of three artists who shed their early stylistic allegiances to become global superstars in new wave, hard rock/heavy metal and glam rock. Before identifying each artist and playing one of their smash hits, Ian and Susie will play an obscure early career track - preceding their reinvention - and invite listeners to guess who the mystery performer is.

Ian Chapman is Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Music at the University of Otago

11:20 Mow or no mow? Lawn alternatives

Anyone with a lawn will know how often they need mowing at this time of year. And while a perfectly manicured lawn might look good, is that the best use of your garden? What are the alternatives to having a lawn? Landscape designer and garden. Xanthe White joins Susie to talk about the options. Text 2101 or email ninetonoon@rnz.co.nz

11:45 Hayfever season: What are the triggers, traits and treatments?

If you're part of the 20 percent of Kiwis who suffer from hay fever - there's probably no need to tell you we're into peak season right now. The common allergic condition can affect your nose, throat, sinuses and eyes and be caused by a number of things - particularly plant pollens during spring and summer. So what are the main environmental triggers, and is there any ways to combat it that aren't simply reaching for the anti-histamine? Joining Susie is Dr Anna Gilmour - she's the head of Dunedin-based Gilmour Allergy Services. If you have questions for her - you can text us at 2101 or email ninetonoon@rnz.co.nz.