Nine To Noon for Monday 1 September 2025

09:05 Plans for Conservation Minister to make all decisions 

Federated Mountain Clubs are alarmed that proposed changes could result in the Minister having the sole decision making power over conservation land. They say a planned National Conservation Policy Statement will strip away democratic process and prioritise commercial interests, and take decision making out of the hands of statutory  body, the New Zealand Conservation Authority, and the public. The Mountain Clubs group describes the move as unprecedented and a fundamental shift in how New Zealand's public conservation land is managed. The Department of Conservation has confirmed a proposal has gone out for `targeted' consultation before going to Cabinet and the government revealed a month ago it wanted to, in its words, " unleash economic growth on conservation land". Kathryn  talks to Allan Brent, a recent member of the FMC's Board.

09:20 High-quality timber producers nervous over US tariffs

A surprise announcement from US President Donald Trump has left producers of high-quality timber on tenterhooks waiting for news on tariffs. Wood products exported to the United States had remained at zero per cent while a special investigation was carried out aimed at determining the effects the global imports had on the local supply chain. The outcome had been expected in December, but a week ago, the President announced a new investigation with results to be delivered in under two months. The change is causing nervousness across New Zealand wood processors and manufacturers who export over $370m of value-added wood product to the United States a year. A huge jump in tariffs could see exporters withdraw from the market and a new set of mills come under pressure. The sector has already experienced significant job losses due to the shutdown of pulp and paper mills and the consolidation of mills processing mainly construction-grade timber. Mark Ross is the chief executive of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ.

09:35 Cheap Govt loans for regional airlines

The regional airline Air Chathams is welcoming an announcement by the Government to offer $30 million in loans to regional airlines to help with costs. These airlines have faced rises in fees and levies they pay to the airway navigation service Airways NZ and the Civil Aviation Authority. That has led to several routes being cut by Sounds Air. Andrew Crawford, Sounds Air's chief executive, told Morning Report his airline had already significantly cut back its offering and they could not go back on those decisions. Air Chathams chief executive Duane Emeny speaks to Kathryn. 

09:45 Foreign correspondent Thomas Sparrow in Germany 

German regions announce new rules for smartphone use in schools, and Russia's latest strikes on Ukraine hamper future peace negotiations.

10:05 Knee trouble? Our expert explains how to keep yours moving

You've probably all heard someone complain of having dodgy knees whether they be an athlete who has suffered an injury or an older family member, resigned to the bodily wear and tear that comes with age. But how much do you actually know about how your knees work and what you can do to look after them better to stay as mobile as possible moving forward? Dr Simon Young is an Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in knee surgery and an Associate Professor at Auckland University, internationally recognised in his field of research. He talks all things knee related with Kathryn and takes questions from listeners. 

10:30 Lightship: Australasia's largest lightwall launches its new season

Amid the hundreds of ships that come and go from Port of Auckland each year - one alone stands still - ablaze through the night. It's called Lightship - a 110 metre long, 13-metre high wall of 8,500 individually programmed LED lights that's attached to the western facade of the Port's Bledisloe Wharf. From tonight a new season of contemporary artists' work will be launched, starting with Esther Stewart, through to next August. So what will Aucklanders be able to see shining out over the inner harbour? Simon Bowerbank is the Director of Whangārei Art Museum and he's curating this year's season. He explains the incredible process of getting art onto the Lightship.

10:35 Book review: The Stars Are a Million Glittering Worlds by Gina Butson

Sonja de Friez reviews The Stars Are a Million Glittering Worlds by Gina Butson, published by Allen and Unwin.

10:45 Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin

Tess talks about the planned new gold mine being fast tracked in Otago, students struggling with bad flats, water costs blames for rates rise in Waitaki and the winners of the Big Sing.

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. He is currently the Campaign Director for Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. 

11:30 Anna Cameron: the cook behind 'Just a Mum's Kitchen'

Food - certain dishes - maybe an old family recipe - has a way of reminding us about different people, different times, in our lives. In other words, it can be used to create memories and that is one of the things that Anna Cameron has set out to do with her cookbook - Just a Mum's Kitchen. Anna is no stranger to sharing - she already has a popular blog and over 250,000 followers on social media - testament she would say to recipes that are not just tasty but accessible and as she explains to Kathryn, virtually fail safe. 

11:45 Urban Issues with Bill McKay

Bill McKay dissects the recent proposed changes to the building consent regime, which includes a plan to move to a proportionate liability scheme. 

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