Nine To Noon for Monday 15 December 2025

09:05 Nearly 5,000 children and young people waiting for surgical tooth removal 

Nearly 5000 children with rotten teeth from all around New Zealand are waiting for surgery to have them removed. That figure is a jump of about a thousand from early 2023. Recently, we spoke to the head of a mobile surgery lorry that travels up the down the country and he  told  Nine to Noon the staff on board now spend the majority of their time trying to lower waiting lists for the removal of children's teeth. The director of Policy at the Dental Association, Dr Robin Whyman, says the number of children needing teeth removed has soared and now many have to wait up to 12 months, although the time is dropping in some areas.

09:20 National Crime Correspondent wraps up 2025 

This year began with the worst possible start for the country's police force when just hours into the new year with the death of a police officer who was hit by a vehicle in central Nelson. There was also the continued search for Tom Phillips and his missing children, which ended months later with police shooting the fugitive dead near the Waikato town of Piopio.  And the near unprecedented resignation of deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming who after being suspended amid allegations of sexual misconduct, was arrested, charged and plead guilty for watching child sexual exploitation and bestiality on his work devices. That was followed by a damning report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

RNZ's National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood wraps up the year that was for the police.

09:30 How an odd idea to swim with dolphins set up a 36-year business

It's not that long ago that spotting a whale or dolphin up close in New Zealand waters was a game of chance - usually from your own boat. But in the summer of 1990 Kaikoura-based Ian Bradshaw and Rik Buurman had an idea - why not TAKE people to see dolphins and swim with them? They worked with DoC on getting New Zealand's first dolphin swimming and watching permit - and their first boat, a six-metre catamaran called the Dolphin Mary started taking tourists to see the mammals. A year later Rik's brother Dennis and wife Lynette came aboard - and the company was renamed Dolphin Encounter. The company's been operating now for 36 years - but in the last month, the group made the difficult decision to sell. However Dolphin Encounter will keep operating - it's been sold to another local company, Banks Peninsula eco-tourism pioneers Black Cat Cruises. Lynette and Dennis Buurman join Kathryn to talk about their ground-breaking tourism operation, why the time was right to pass the business on. 

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney 

Europe forced to cope with unpredictable, shocking realities of Trump, changing political landscape, with rise of populist and far-right parties, and navigating digital & AI rules, amid growing concern about disinformation.

Seamus Kearney wraps up 2025 news from Europe.      

10:05 ​Craig Piggot - founder of Agri-tech company, Halter - on being openly ambitious.

By any measure, the NZ agri tech company Halter has had a stonking year. The company founded by Craig Piggot - who is also the CEO - is now a global leader in its sector. This year alone it's raised  $165m with the funding round led by US tech investor BOND, which has backed firms from Spotify to Airbnb. Halter also reached the elusive "unicorn status" - that's when a private start up reaches a valuation of over US $1 billion - and its products have been recognised by the magazine Time in this year's Best Inventions list. Craig Piggot started the firm nearly ten years ago, developing solar-powered cow collars and apps that allow farms here, and ranches in the US, to operate with virtual fencing. Craig Piggot is sick, so Kathryn is joined instead by  Halter President Andrew Fraser. 

10:30 Further details emerge following a terror attack in Sydney

The death toll is continuing to rise from the terror attack in Sydney's Bondi Beach last night. Hundreds of people ran for their lives when two gunmen opened fire at an event marking the first day of Hanukkah. At least 16 are dead, with dozens more injured. And the shooting has left Jewish communities reeling. ABC producer Jemima Huston is in Bondi.

10:35 Book review: Franz Josef by Alan Carter

Louise O'Brien reviews Franz Josef by Alan Carter, published by Fremantle Press.

10:45 Around the motu: Tim Brown in Christchurch

Tim discusses the latest on the slip and slide incident where children at a daycare suffered chemical burns, Christchurch police launch a special operation to counter youth offending, the sentencing of a Gloriavale leader and the Special Olympics summer Games and the opening of the major new sports complex, Parakiore. 

11:05 Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Gareth Hughes 

Gareth Hughes is the Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa is a former Green MP and is no longer a member of any political party.

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, consultant and director of several companies. 

11:30 Festive food that is cheap and realistic

It's that time of the year - the festive season is here, and many will be thinking about what food to serve family and friends that won't break the bank. Alice Taylor was a Masterchef finalist in 2022 and since then has built a large social media following for her food which is all about recipes that are cheap and realistic. Across all her platforms she has around half a million followers. She joins Kathryn to share her Christmas menu.

11:45 Urban issues with Bill McKay 

Bill unpacks the long-awaited replacement for the Resource Management Act. Who are the winners, losers, and how will it work in practice.

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