Nine To Noon

09:05 Former cabinet minister condemns veterans' agency 

Former National Cabinet Minister Hekia Parata has condemned Veterans' Affairs for its treatment of her late husband, Tā Wira Gardiner. In 2021, Tā Wira claimed his glioblastoma brain tumour was a defence service-related condition due to his exposure to the toxic chemical Agent Orange in Vietnam, where he served as a Platoon Commander in 1970. Veterans Affairs - a unit of the Defence Force charged with providing support to those who have served in the Armed Forces -  rejected the claim;   and its decision was twice overturned by an appeal body,  and then twice by the High Court,  over four years. Tā Wira, who held some of the most senior roles in the public service, died in 2022. The most recent High Court ruling, issued in August ,found Veterans Affairs appeared to be prioritizing cost over care. Hekia Parata says her whanau has spent years fighting the very agency that is supposed to be supporting service men and women. Kathryn also speaks with veterans' lobby group No Duff co-founder Aaron Wood.

09:20 An AI scribe being rolled out in EDs to save time

The government plans to roll out an artificial intelligence transcribing tool to emergency departments across the country, after a trial indicated it cut after-hours administration by 81%. The AI scribe is said to securely record a consultation and automatically create draft clinical notes, referral letters, and follow-up summaries. The doctor then reviews and confirms the notes to make sure they are accurate. Health NZ  says the scribe is tailored to New Zealand's clinical language, meets all privacy requirements, and includes strong security protections to keep patient information safe. In announcing the roll out of a thousand scribe licenses, the Health Minister, Simeon Brown, said the pilots in Hawkes Bay and Whanganui indicated that Doctors using the AI tool were able to see, on average, one additional patient per shift. AI scribes are already being used by a variety of  primary health care providers, but concerns have been raised over patient consent and trust and legal issues. Kathryn is joined by Sonny Taite, Health NZ Director of Digital Innovation and AI and Ben Gray is a former GP and an Associate Professor in Primary Health at Otago University.

09:35 Measles made me blind: woman urges people to vaccinate

A woman who lost her sight after contracting measles as a child is urging people to take the virus seriously. Olivia En contracted measles when she was 18 months old. She has memories from childhood of overhearing her mother weeping - because she felt such guilt and regret for her daughter's ordeal. Her family - having fled the Pol Pot regime in 1975 - lived under the radar in Vietnam to avoid entering the refugee camps. Vaccines were not available. She says as a mother of four now, with vaccination just an appointment away, the decision to avoid reeks of privilege - and of people who have never had to bear witness to the horror that this virus can cause.

09:45 USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

The USDA stopped payouts on Saturday from SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. Also, this week, the Supreme Court hears a case that could overturn many of Trump's tariffs, and there are off-year election races taking place - with most eyes on the races for Virginia and New Jersey Governor, as well as New York mayor.

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

10:05 New Zealand's first marine reserve celebrates 50 years 

New Zealand's first marine reserve at Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island north of Auckland turns 50 this year. About 350,000 people visit the reserve annually to snorkel, dive or take a glass-bottom boat trip, and explore the abundance of life beneath the waves. For five decades, the 518 hectare reserve has provided scientific researchers at the Leigh Marine Laboratory with a thriving marine ecosystem to observe. But back in the 1960s, things were different. Very little grew on the reefs in the shallows until marine conservation pioneer Dr Bill Ballantine waded in. He fought for 12 years to protect the five square kilometres of the marine habitat and faced plenty opposition - eventually establishing the reserve in 1975. It then took around three decades for kelp forests to reestablish before the marine life moved in. Conrad Pilditch and Simon Thrush are professors of marine sciences at the University of Auckland - they join Kathryn Ryan to discuss the massive transformations within the Goat Island marine reserve, the challenges posed by fisheries and what the future holds. 

10:35 Book review: Amity by Nathan Harris

10:45 Around the motu: Jonathon McKenzie, editor of the Waikato Times

Jonathan covers on the continuing search for missing teacher, Jayleb-Che Dean, the sandwich making gang boss, Jamie Pink , released early from a seven year jail term for "excellent progress," Blue Spring gets overrun by tourists and local businesses lament lack of airport us service until 2028.

11:05 Business Commentator Victoria Young

There are signs of green shoots in the economy with several company AGMs showing positive sentiment. The FMA pings accountants, lawyers for misuse of investor certificates. New research lays out who the best professional directors are, while Z Energy has settled in a High Court case brought against it for greenwashing. 

BusinessDesk editor, Victoria Young

11:30 Kiwi actress Ellie Smith on her play inspired by her time spent in care homes

Kiwi actress and writer Ellie Smith has been based in London for decades, but she's home for a project that's close to her heart. She's written and stars in a one-woman play called Life on a Loop, which draws on her time singing in care homes in the UK. The play had a successful run in London, and will be at Auckland's Q Theatre from the 11th to the 16th of November. Ellie's had an incredibly varied acting career and received the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to theatre. But this is the first time in 15 years she's walked the boards back home.

11:45 Sports correspondent Glen Larmer

The All Blacks win their rugby test against Ireland in Chicago, but not without injuries to Scott and Jordie Barrett. Noeline Taurua says she could still walk away from the Silver Ferns after news she will be reinstated as coach at the end of the year. And the Black Caps continue an incredible home record in one day international cricket.