Nine To Noon for Monday 26 May 2025

09:05 Traffic light sanction for jobseeker beneficiaries extended from today  

 New non financial sanctions are being added to the traffic light system from today for those on the job seeker benefit. The system came into force last August and aims to ensure beneficiaries stay on track with their obligations to find or prepare for work. At green, people are compliant, but they move to orange if they miss some of the commitments without a good explanation and then through to red and a benefit stop. The Minister for Social Development,  Louise Upston, says the system is showing early signs of success. But why are extra sanctions needed? Kathryn is joined by the National Policy Advisor for the Citizens Advice Bureau, Louise May.     

09:20 The growing international links of NZ gangs

Work underway by a ministerial advisory group has highlighted the growing international links of gangs in this country. It's very first report talked about organised crime groups becoming active here from China, and throughout south east asia, and the role of gangs such as the Comancheros and Mongols importing meth from South America through the Pacific. How has this development changed the gang landscape in New Zealand? To find out more, Kathryn is joined by Jarrod Gilbert is a sociologist from Canterbury University and an expert on gangs.

09:35 Deepfakes more realistic and easier to make: what can you do?

Last year, a deepfake impersonating then-President Joe Biden told thousands of voters in the US state of New Hampshire not to vote in the upcoming primaries. Leading parties in India's election also created deepfakes of each other. And it was flagged in the recent Australian election as a key concern, as experts warn deepfake production is no longer reserved for highly skilled programmers or tech giants. As the technology becomes more accessible and increasingly realistic, how prepared are we, and what can we do about it? Glenn Maiden is Chief Security Officer and the director of Threat Intelligence for security firm Fortinet. He speaks to Kathryn. 

09:45 Foreign correspondent Sebastian Usher

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

10:05 The Hamills take on the world 

A kiwi family have passed the halfway point on their monumental effort to circumnavigate the globe on their catamaran. The family of Rob and Rachel Hamill - both former elite athletes in their day - and their three sons Finn, Declan and Ivan - departed New Zealand in 2018 to do their trip of a lifetime. Finn has since left the crew to follow in the footsteps of his father as an elite rower. They've just passed the halfway point - which was in the same waters of the Atlantic Ocean where Rob and compatriot, the late Phil Stubbs, won the first ever Trans-Atlantic Rowing race. The trip has gone through Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia - including a chance for Rob to return to Phnom Penh in Cambodia where his brother Kerry was held captive, tortured and killed. They've continued through to India, then Africa and around the Cape of Good Hope up through the Atlantic to the east coast of Brazil. They have documented their journey on their channel - The Cruising Kiwis.

10:35 Book review: Tackling the Hens by Mary McCallum 

 Airini Beautrais reviews Tackling the Hens by Mary McCallum published by The Cuba Press    

10:45 Around the motu: David Williams in Christchurch

David updates Kathryn on the latest events in Christchurch, including two Environmental Law Initiative High Court challenges,  the return of a former Christchurch mayoral candidate, and Pest Free Banks Peninsula has spent years getting rid of pests in and around Akaroa and now it's paying off.

David Williams is Newsroom's Te Waipounamu South Island Correspondent.

11:05 Dissecting the budget: Liam Hehir & Neale Jones

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital. He is currently providing PR support for Andrew Little's Campaign for Mayor of Wellington, on a voluntary basis.
Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member

11:30 The family recipes spicing up Dunedin life 

If you've been down to Otago Farmers Market on a Saturday morning, it's likely you'll have seen Danielle Culling. For the past four years, rain or shine, Danielle has been a regular feature at the market - selling pickles and curry pastes through her business Tartan Sari. The Tartan Sari story goes back decades. 30 years ago, Danielle's parents Louisa and Ron set up a pickle business in London - making family recipes and selling to Indian supermarkets. The recipes arrived in London via Goa, Kenya and Scotland - before decades later, arriving in Dunedin. Tartan Sari business owner Danielle Culling joins Kathryn. 

11:45 The wonders of the Denniston Plateau

Nine to Noon's outdoors man, Kennedy Warne, has spent the weekend at the Denniston Plateau on the West Coast, with several dozen nature enthusiasts. He describes it as "strange and wonderful" and shares his experience.