Rnz: Nine To Noon

New Zealand has its first national wastewater standards - after Cabinet agreed to new rules that will come into force on December 19. 

The Social Investment Agency has revealed the first organisations to be given backing from its $190 million fund.

Stats NZ admits there is work to be done to ensure data collected under the modernised census plan is robust.

Science commentator Jen Martin joins Kathryn with three fascinating studies. 

One hundred years after it was first published, the substantial history of Tuhoe, "Children of the Mist" by ethnologist Elsdon Best, is back in bookshops. 

Harry Broad reviews Over Alps and Plains in Cobb's Name by Peter Savage, published by Peter Savage.

Waikato Times editor Jonathan Mckenzie with news from the region.

The latest statistics are out on what books were most borrowed from libraries this year. 

A variety of a well-known mushroom touted as having brain boosting qualities is being cultivated at scale in New Zealand for the first time.

New Zealand's operating theatres are severely under pressure, but a big blue articulated truck has been travelling up and down the country helping out with day surgery for 23 years.

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton on the PM's wedding, a national plan on artificial intelligence has been released, but it won't include "mandatory guardrails" like risk-management systems. And a 26-year-old Swiss man is being praised for his heroism in trying to save his girlfriend from an attack by a bullshark.

A leading world expert in lead poisoning says there's still more work to be done on reducing exposure. The latest New Zealand data shows total lead absorption notification rates increased for both adults and children in 2024 compared to 2023. David Jacobs is the chief scientist at the US National Centre for Healthy Housing. He says despite paint no longer being in paint and petrol, concerns remain about potential exposure particularly in children. He's been in New Zealand at the International Conference on Urban Health in Wellington

A US political analyst says New Zealand needs to ride out the current America first focus of President Donald Trump's second term, and that opportunities are there to strengthen relations. 

Data and statistics experts warn the costs of getting administrative data up to scratch, building the infrastructure need, the potential costs of getting it wrong ... could far outweigh the cost of undertaking a traditional census. Stats NZ confirmed it would scrap the census earlier this year, and replace it with data collected already via other government and non-government entities, as well as some smaller surveys. The decision was made against advice provided by the expert advisory group that Stats NZ convened. The advisory group was not asked to consider the cost implications of its recommendations. But cost was a factor in Stats NZ's decision to not proceed with another census. Polly Atatoa-Carr is Associate Professor at Te Ngira Institute for Population Research which is part of Waikato University and Tahu Kukutai - also with Te Ngira Institute - is a Professor of Demography and specialises in indigenous data and policy discuss with Kathryn.

Glen assesses the Black Caps' chances against the West Indies in Christchurch in the first test match of the summer, looks ahead to the second Ashes test which gets underway later this week and other goings on in the world of sport.

Statistics NZ's population insights analyst Rebekah Hennesy joins Kathryn to unpack the numbers.

The latest in the Du Val saga as former employees speak out. There's an election at Fonterra with three well known candidates putting their hands up. And the new Air NZ chief executive is off to a rocky start.

Jimmy Ellingham talks to Kathryn about how the latest from the Manawatū.

Leah McFall reviews, Nadia's Farm Kitchen by Nadia Lim, published by Nude Food Inc.

Michael Eaglen on his 25 years in the marine industry and the electricification of Auckland's ferries.