Nine To Noon for Monday 18 August 2025

09:05 Businesses call for government help in the face of soaring gas costs 

Rising gas prices mean some businesses are re-assessing their futures, and how many people they can afford to employ. A number say it is time for the government to step in and help. Gas supply has almost halved in the past decade and reserves are falling sharply. A survey of business gas consumers by the BusinessNZ Energy Council and Optima found that gas prices have risen by over 100 percent on average over the past five years, with half of the respondents having increased prices, or cut staff as a result. Kathryn speaks with two affected businesses employing hundreds of people: Steve Koekemoer, Chief Operating Officer for Talleys Group, and chair of Nature's Flame - the country's largest biomass wood pellet manufacturer; Simon Watson,  General Manager of NZ Hothouse, which grows tomatoes and cucumber for the domestic market and employs 250 staff in Auckland 

09:20  Farmers say many exotic forests are making bad neighbours

After high profile campaigning from the farming sector against forestry conversion, there are now worries that some forest blocks are negatively affecting neighbouring farms. Poorly managed plantations are said to be providing homes for destructive pests and are at risk of fire.  Federated Farmers says forest based animals come onto farms and destroy crops and pasture while pigs eat new born lambs. The Forest Owners Association says huge efforts are being made and a great deal of money is being spent on eradicating deer and goats, and policies are in place to be prepared for any fire outbreak. But one Hawkes Bay farmer, James Hunter,  who is trying to increase wetlands on his farm, says he fears all his work will be wiped out if a neighbouring farm is totally planted in pine and becomes a home to pests. James Hunter joins Kathryn to talk about the challenges posed by forestry neighbours.

09:35 Ka kite, Aratere: Interisland ferry retired after 26 years 

After 26 years plying Cook Strait, the Aratere will be retired after its final sailing from Picton today...leaving two Interislander ferries in the KiwiRail fleet to make the crossing. The Aratere joined the fleet in 1999, but as the only rail-enabled ferry, it's got to go while port upgrades in Picton and Wellington are undertaken for two new yet-to-be-bought ferries. The Aratere's time in New Zealand wasn't without incident - there were mechanical issues in its first few months, it lost a propeller in the Strait after a mid-body extension and it ran aground near Picton last year. Joining Kathryn is Duncan Roy, Interislander Executive General Manager who'll be leading ceremonies today as the Aratere departs Picton for the last time.

09:45 Foreign correspondent Sebastian Usher 

Mideast correspondent Sebastian Usher joins Kathryn to talk about the Israeli Government's plans for Gaza, what's happening with aid getting into the territory and the current state of Israeli public opinion about the war.

Sebastian Usher is a BBC Middle East analyst, editor and reporter

10:05  W*ankernomics: Aussie comedians' deep dive into workplace bullsh*t

Nine to Noon takes a deep-dive into some solutions-focused ideation, with a view to shifting the dial on how to optimise workplace relations! Kathryn's guests have written the ultimate guide on deciphering the terminology that's infested offices, emails, Linkedin Posts and health and safety notices around the globe. It's called Wankernomics: A Deep-dive into Workplace Bullshittery. The brains behind it are Australian comedy duo James Schloeffel and Charles Firth... who describe themselves as 'Chief Disruptor and Strategy Optimisation Evangelist' and a 'Customer Engagement Jedi', respectively. Their book grew out of a comedy show that's been taken to festivals around the world, including last year's Edinburgh Fringe. Charles is also one of the founders of The Chaser, an Aussie comedy group, while James is a former marketing manager and copywriter, who started satirical website The Shovel back in 2012. 

10:30 Contact Energy's net profit jumps 41%

In the first of the results from the big power retailers, Contact Energy's full year net profit is up 41 percent to more 331-million dollars. Excluding one-time items, the energy generator and retailer's the underlying profit is up 17 percent to 774-million, boosted by a strong lift in geothermal generation, as well as improved sales. Domestic gas production was down 20 percent, driving up Contact's wholesale prices. Other results are due this week and next. Kathryn speaks to RNZ's Business editor, Gyles Beckford.

10:35 Book review: Chemistry by Damien Wilkins

Melanie O'Loughlin reviews Chemistry by Damien Wilkins, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press.

10:45 Around the motu: David Williams in Christchurch 

David talks about the departing ECAN regional councillors who say government interference has loomed large in their decision to quit, local election shenanigans and long-running saga involving the Rakaia River's water conservation order comes to an end.

David Williams is Newsroom's Te Waipounamu South Island Correspondent

11:05 Political commentators Tim Hurdle and Lianne Dalziel 

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. 

Lianne Dalziel is a life member of the Labour Party and a former MP and Cabinet Minister. She ran as an independent for Christchurch's mayoralty in 2013 and was the city's mayor for three terms. She writes a regular column for Newsroom.co.nz.

11:30 The Hungry Cook Olivia Galletly on her tried and true home-cook favourites

Olivia Galletly started out as a graphic designer - but quickly realised the gig wasn't for her and that designing recipes was more her style. She's perhaps better known as The Hungry Cook, which was the name of the blog she set up ten years ago to showcase her work. A decade later she's transferred her culinary creativity into a book - also called The Hungry Cook - which is chock-full of her favourite dishes. Olivia is also now mum to two small children - so the book has some quick go-tos and recipes she's found work well for fussy young eaters. But there's also a section for when you need to cook to impress - or comfort - including the intriguingly named "heartbreak chicken". She joins Kathryn to talk about her food journey, including why chef school wasn't for her, and how this book has been a labour of love for her whole family.

11:45 Urban Issues with Bill McKay

Bill reflects on a talk last week that has provoked some thoughts, and ruffled a few feathers, about the philosophy of planning. Entitled 'The Price of Planning' it was the annual Ockham Lecture at Objectspace. Objectspace is an Auckland gallery focused on design, craft and architecture - it also has a smaller version in Christchurch, with exhibitions changing every several weeks and lots of public programmes. He also discusses why it's important for members of the community to come along to such talks, which can teach and challenge those interested in urban planning. 

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