Nine To Noon

09:05 Pushing back on Auckland's housing intensification plans

Ever since the plans for greater housing intensification in Auckland were revealed less that six months ago, there has been outrage in some of the affected suburbs. The proposal from the RMA reform minister, Chris Bishop, was to allow the council to opt out of  medium density provisions across the whole city, and to focus instead on greater intensification near transport hubs, specifically train stations. The plans include a target of 2 million new homes and taller apartment blocks. The areas most affected are the older, more affluent suburbs, often home to heritage houses. The backlash started immediately with a series of local meetings discussing fears over the impact of high rise buildings on roads, old pipes and any possible drop in the value of their homes. But come the new year and a State of the Nation speech, and Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, is signalling some sort of a u-turn on the housing intensification plans. David Seymour,  Act leader and Deputy Prime Minister, but also the local MP for Epsom joins Kathryn to discuss his opposition to the proposals. 

09:25 A major insurance company halts new policies on homes in Westport

Experts are predicting AA Insurance's decision to temporarily stopped offering new home insurance policies in Westport could be the first on many.  As RNZ reported this morning, AA Insurance wrote to Buller District Mayor Chris Russell at the end of last year to tell him the company would halt new business, home and landlord insurance policies for properties in the 7825 postcode, which covers Westport, Carters Beach and Cape Foulwind. Existing policies would remain and there is a transfer policy for anyone looking to buy or sell a house that was currently insured with AA Insurance. It represents a change in approach from insurance companies. Adaptation researcher Belinda Storey, who heads up the consultancy Climate Sigma.

AA Insurance provided a written statement. The company's head of underwriting Dee Naidu said if Westport's flood exposure dropped below its maximum exposure limit in the future, the company intended to reopen its books to new customers.
"This decision reflects the elevated natural hazard risk of flooding in the area, and that our exposure has reached a level where a pause on new policies is the most responsible step to ensure we can be there for our existing customers when they need us most."
 

09:30 Community cycle group helps people get back on the bike 

A community cycling initiative is helping Wellingtonians prepare for the opening of the final stretch of coastal cycle track Te Ara Tupua - which is due to open this year. The 12-kilometre shared pathway connects Melling in Lower Hutt to Wellington. The Melling to Petone section is open and the Petone to Ngauranga section currently under construction and due to open in the first half of 2026. Free Ride - which was originally set up as a community bike share initiative in the Lower Hutt suburb of Naenae is running events for people ahead of the opening to help prepare. People may not have ridden a bike for some time, aren't sure how to maintain a bike or fix a puncture, might need a steer on bike rules and etiquette, or may not have a bike at all. Lily Chalmers is the founder and chairperson of Free Ride and joins me in the Wellington studio. 

09:45 UK: Starmer in China, another Tory defection, new Church of England leader

UK correspondent Steph Spyro looks at what's at stake in PM Keir Starmer's visit to China, amid speculation about his future. The Tories lost another MP to Reform ahead of a crunch by-election next month. A woman will head up the Church of England for the first time, and the Royal Mail's been criticised for failing to deliver the Christmas mail to 16 million people. 

Steph Sypro is the Daily Express' deputy political editor

 

10:05 Heartbreak and joy: a New Zealand doctor's time in Nepal and South Auckland

"A scrapbook of memories" is how long time South Auckland GP Greg Judkins describes his latest book describing his career as a family doctor here and at a hospital in Nepal. What Was I Thinking  is full of anecdotes from working and family life and is interwoven with his own poetry. Now retired, the author reflects on a life of adventure and challenge, along with the mistakes that he describes as an inescapable part of both personal and professional life. 

10:35 Book review: Three of the best from 2025

Harry Ricketts reviews three of his favourite books from last year: This Compulsion in Us by Tina Makereti published by Te Herenga Waka University Press, Overseas Experience by Nicola Andrew published by Aporo Press, and Clown Town by Mick Herron published by Baskerville.

10:45 Around the motu: James Pocock, Editor of the Gisborne Herald

James discusses rescues at Te Aroroa during the recent flooding, a Swiss marathon runner's success after being  stranded at the Waioweka Campground by slips and the 8 year old who was joint winner in a $40,000 fishing prize. 

11:05 Tech: French social media ban, Microsoft encryption sharing

Technology correspondent Mark Pesce joins Kathryn on the French parliament's backing of a social media ban for under 15s, following Australia's move - does that mean more countries will follow? Microsoft has confirmed it's been complying with FBI requests for encrypted data - where does that leave its customers' privacy? And the US Transportation Department says it will use Google Gemini to speed up the drafting of new regulations.

Mark Pesce is a futurist, writer, educator and broadcaster. 

11:25 Navigating the pros and cons of school uniforms - and the growing cost

The cost of uniforms is persistent problem for parents, leaving many to look to online marketplaces, school re-sale platforms or opting for unbranded items, although school policy means that's not always allowed. Otago University's Dr Johanna Reidy researches the impact of school uniform design and policy on health and educational outcomes. For an upcoming paper, she has looked at New Zealand co-ed schools to understand how uniforms affect learning and behaviour. Dr Johanna Reidy speaks to Kathryn Ryan.   

11:45 Screentime: The Pitt s2, It Was Just An Accident, The Traitors UK

Film and TV correspondent Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to review the second season of The Pitt, which follows the format of the first in setting each episode as an hour of one-15 hour shift at a hospital. She'll also look at Iranian film It Was Just An Accident and The Traitors UK.