Nine To Noon for Tuesday 27 May 2025

09:05 Learning support budget boost fails to deliver genuine system reform: researcher

Last week's budget contained a big boost for learning support - described as a "seismic shift" by the Minister of Education. The 747-million dollar package will be spent on more specialist staff, teacher aide hours, support for the youngest children, and classrooms for specialist schools serving children with disabilities. However, specialist teaching roles in literacy and Maori are to be axed. The overall budget package has been welcomed by many in the sector, which has been crying out for more resourcing. The Aotearoa Educators' Collective -  a grouping of education leaders and researchers - says there are positive steps, but genuine system reform is still missing. Kathryn speaks with Dr Sarah Aiono, a researcher from the AEC and CEO of Longworth Education.

09.20 Going deep: finding the next Rocket Lab 

What does it take to start a tech company with global impact like a Rocket Lab or a LanzaTech? Outset Ventures has just closed its second fund, announcing today it's raised $41 million, with the Government's Elevate fund putting in $15 million. Outset puts money into deep tech companies that aim to solve scientific or engineering problems. They often have long periods of research and development and their solutions are difficult to reproduce. The commonly referenced examples in this country are Rocket Lab, LanzaTech and more recently Open Star Technologies. Open Star is working to scale nuclear fusion using hydrogen. Outset was the first venture fund to put money into Open Star and it now wants more companies of its ilk here in New Zealand. Angus Blair leads Outset's investments and talks to Kathryn about the areas where he sees potential.

09:30 Ships to pay for their emissions

For the first time, shipping companies will have to pay for the emissions produced by their vessels, but the decision falls far short of what Pacific Island nations had fought for at the recent International Maritime Organisation talks. The world's maritime watchdog has agreed to a framework, which will be ratified later this year, where ships will be subject to a charge on their greenhouse gas emissions, increasing after a certain threshold, and will also be able to trade carbon credits with one another. The measure is forecast to raise about $10 billion US a year, which is much lower than the $60 billion a year that had been hoped for from the carbon levy proposal pitched by Pacific, and Caribbean nations. The measure also won't achieve the IMO's own Greenhouse Gas Strategy which it revised in 2023. Dr Tristan Smith, who is a Professor of Energy and Transport at the UCL Energy Institute in London, speaks to Kathryn about the agreement.

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving 

The US President is not happy with Russia President Vladimir Putin stalling  and Harvard as US sentiment towards the war in Gaza shifts, with people tired of the ongoing fighting.

Ron Elving is a Senior Contributor, Washington Desk for NPR news 

10:05 Kelly Tarlton: NZ's great treasure hunter 

When you hear the name Kelly Tarlton, you probably picture the famous aquarium in Auckland - with its glass tunnels and circling sharks. But he was also New Zealand's most successful treasure hunter. Kelly Tarlton recovered millions in sunken gold, silver and jewels. He pioneered new methods of underwater excavation, and was on the brink of a brand new adventure when he died suddenly, just months after his aquarium opened - leaving behind one final, unfinished quest. In his new RNZ podcast, Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt, journalist and storyteller Hamish Williams set out to complete that quest - to find a lost anchor dropped 250 years ago by one of the first European ships to reach Aotearoa. Along the way, Hamish uncovers an incredible story of obsession, risk, innovation, and the cost of chasing a dream. Hamish Williams talks to Kathryn about the astonishing story of Kelly Tarlton, and what he hopes to find at the bottom of Northland's Doubtless Bay.

10:35 Book review: Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness by Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield 

David Hill reviews Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness by Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield published by Hachette

10:40 Posties upset about not delivering to hospitals

If you're thinking about sending a get well soon card to a loved one in hospital - you might need to think again about how you do it. The Postal Workers' Union says posties have been instructed by NZ Post that letters and cards addressed to the street address of hospitals must be returned to the sender. It's part of a new return to sender policy applying to businesses and institutions. Kathryn speaks with Postal Workers Union Co-National President, John Maynard.  NZ Post says most big businesses, government agencies, shops etc have both a physical address and a postal address - usually a PO box where their mail gets sent. It says mail is still being delivered, so long as it is correctly addressed.

10:45 Around the motu: Chris Hyde in Hawkes Bay

Napier Port is facing a decline in cruise bookings, three very active brothers have had six hip replacements between them, international acclaim for the tastes of Hawke's Bay has surged after Lonely Planet listed Napier among its "15 cities with the most tantalising food scenes", and it's time to reclaim the night for women runners.

Chris Hyde is the Hawkes Bay Today editor.

11:05 Business commentator Dan Brunskill

The Government is tipping $200 million into getting a stake in an offshore gas field. Dan also discusses changes to KiwiSaver and the Government's investment boost scheme. And, the Reserve Bank meets tomorrow to decide on interest rates: a cut is expected, but what will follow is uncertain.  

Dan Brunskill is an economic policy reporter for Interest NZ

11:30 Gardening with Xanthe White: how to work with native plants

Landscape designer and gardener Xanthe White on how to work with native plants in your garden. From a naturalistic style, restoration to integrating natives in all gardens. Text your questions for Xanthe to 2101.

11:45 Sports correspondent Marc Hinton

Auckland FC are knocked out of the A-League at the penultimate hurdle, losing to Melbourne Victory at home. The Warriors lose after a five-game winning streak and what shape the Super Rugby playoffs are taking after Moana Pasifika were beaten by the Chiefs. 

Marc is a senior sports writer at Stuff