Nine To Noon for Wednesday 10 December 2025

09:05 Transpower warns lake drawdown could be expensive

Transpower says that allowing the major South Island hydro lakes to be drawn down further would leave the country exposed to rolling blackouts,  in a worst-case scenario. Electricity generators want to access what is currently contingency supply -  for an emergency   -  in order to lower wholesale prices.  Lakes are currently at their highest levels since mid 2023, but last year Transpower did permit access to what it terms the 'fuel of last resort' because it was a dry year. In a new report, Transpower finds that allowing access to contingency supply at the big South Island lakes  could unlock $38 million a year in lower electricity prices. But, under a stressed scenario, involving a dry year, low wind farm output,  and key power plants being closed -  there would need to be rolling blackouts,  which could cost to the country $440 million.  Kathryn speaks with Chief Executive James Kilty.

09:20 RMA changes: transformational or concerning?

The government has unveiled its shake-up of planning controls, promising property owners will have more freedom to do more with their own land. The replacement laws, which will replace the Resource Management Act, will also require councils to compensate some landowners if they're significantly affected by council decisions. RMA reform minister, Chris Bishop,  says the changes will slash the number of consents required almost in half - and unlock more than 13 billion dollars in savings over three decades. Business New Zealand says the changes should result in fewer consents required to unlock development while protecting what matters. But the Environmental Defence Society has concerns.  Kathryn speaks with Business NZ CEO Katharine Rich and EDS Director Dr Greg Severinsen.

09:35 Export controls on military related goods and technology

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is looking to crackdown on companies and universities involved in sending sensitive technologies overseas. Consultation is open on the regime that controls the export of military related goods and technology. Mfat says the aim is to ensure strategic goods and technology don't get into the wrong hands. But opponents are concerned about the limits it could put on those dealing with the likes of economic powerhouses China and India. John Battersby is a Senior Fellow at Massey University's Centre for Defence and Security Studies and the Managing Editor of the National Security Journal.

09:45 Australia: Barnaby defects, social media ban comes in, Brisbane short-stay ban

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche talks about the defection of Barnaby Joyce to One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson. The social media ban kicks in today but questions remain about whether it will work and Brisbane has become the latest town to put restrictions on short-stay rentals amid a housing crisis.

10:05 Jane Austen's fifth great-niece explains why her work continues to resonate

 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that 250 years after her birth, the work of Jane Austen is just as popular as ever. This year has been full of celebrations around the globe to mark the English author's life and work - including here in New Zealand. Those celebrations will ramp up a notch next week, December 16 marks her actual birthdate. With another TV series of Pride and Prejudice in the works and another film version of Sense and Sensibility set for release next year, what is it about Austen's six novels that continues to resonate with her fans? Kathryn is joined by Caroline Jane Knight. Jane Austen's fifth great-niece and one of the last descendants of hers to grow up on the Chawton estate. Chawton belonged to Jane Austen's brother Edward, and four of her novels were published during the eight years she lived there. Caroline herself lived at Chawton until she was eighteen. After a career in the corporate world, she pivoted and launched the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation. She talks about Jane Austen's legacy and the work of her Foundation.

10.30 26,000 New Zealanders' devices infected with malicious software

Twenty-six-thousand email addresses are being contacted to warn people their device has been infected with malicious software. The National Cyber Security Centre says the malware, known as Lumma Stealer, is designed to steal sensitive information including email address and passwords. The stolen information is then used for fraud or identity theft. National Cyber Security Centre chief operating officer Michael Jagusch joins Kathryn.

10:35 Book review: Angel Train by Elizabeth Smither     

Renata Hopkins of Scorpio Books reviews Angel Train by Elizabeth Smither, published by Quentin Wilson Publishing.

10:45 Around the motu: Simon Wilson in Auckland

Simon talks about safety on Auckland's buses after a fatal stabbing, the people getting into trouble while going for a swim in hot weather, the latest opening date for the Central Rail Link, the  Papatoetoe local board election that's ended up in court and deliberative democracy and the Takapuna Golf Course.

Simon Wilson is a Senior Writer NZ Herald 

11:05 Music with Kirsten Zemke: Gender-swap covers

Music commentator Kirsten Zemke looks at what's gained - or lost - in a song when the primary artist is switched to a different gender. She plays four well-known tracks which have been subject to a gender swap.

Kirsten Zemke is an ethnomusicologist at the University of Auckland's School of Social Sciences.

11:25 Can adults have real relationships with chatbots? 

Relationship therapist, educator, researcher and online safety advocate Jo Robertson joins Kathryn to discuss when adults develop relationships with chatbots. How and why do people form friendships with "virtual companions"?What are the positives and negatives of such relationships and what does it tell us about culture at the moment?

 

11:45 Personal finance: Mortgages - Fix or not to fix?

Money expert Liz Koh joins Kathryn to discuss the latest drop in the OCR and the choices facing some homeowners with mortgages - to fix now, and for how long? Liz says while it's tempting to fix now to lock in low interest rates, there are things to consider before making the leap.

Liz Koh is director of Enrich Retirement. This discussion is of a general nature, and does not constitute financial advice