Nine To Noon for Friday 5 September 2025

09:05 NZ Rugby Chair David Kirk on challenges for the game 

NZ Rugby Chair David Kirk joins Kathryn to discuss the state of the national game and the business that runs it, in one of his first interviews since taking on the role. NZR has had significant financial losses in recent years, including a $19.5 million loss in the last financial year, conflict between the needs of grass roots rugby and the professional game, the controversial Silverlake private equity deal and declining participation rates among young people. David Kirk captained the All Blacks to their inaugural World Cup triumph in 1987. He says NZ Rugby is on a "sound footing" and can navigate all the challenges. 

09:25 Teen develops app to help navigate accessibility roadblocks

A young entrepreneur is hoping to make New Zealand a more accessible place for people with physical disabilities. Daisy Hoe is a 17-year-old wheelchair user based in Taupō. She is developing a tech platform, Go Able which will allow users to find and review accessible locations. As well as making life easier for thousands of people, she hopes her story will shine a light on the accessibility gap in New Zealand. 

09:35 Ok boomer where are you? The annual Matuku count is on again

The search is on for boomers this weekend. Not the human kind, but the Matuku or Australasian bittern - an elusive heron-like bird native to wetlands, with a distinctive booming call. This weekend the call is going out to citizen scientists to take part in the nationwide survey - the Great Matuku Muster. John Sumich, Trustee and Secretary of the Bittern Conservation Trust tells Kathryn what's involved.

09:45 Asia correspondent Elizabeth Beattie

Beijing’s military spectacle, which brought together leaders of China, North Korea and Russia, has drawn global attention;  Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto is in China amid protests at home, and it is "sleep week" in Japan,  

10:05 Community opera The Monster in the Maze debuts in New Zealand

The Monster in the Maze is a family friendly community opera which retells the myth of the minotaur. It has been performed in opera houses the world over. But in a cunning twist on the classic opera, amateurs get to sing on stage with professionals. The New Zealand Opera production is directed by actor, writer, and director Anapela Polataivao and it debuts tonight in Christchurch. Leading contemporary opera composer Jonathan Dove created The Monster in the Maze. His previous operas include The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Enchanted Pig, Man on the Moon and Mansfield Park. Jonathan Dove is in New Zealand for the debut shows in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland - and he speaks to Kathryn from our Christchurch studio. 

10:35 Book review: Universality by Natasha Brown 

Kiran Dass reviews Universality by Natasha Brown, published by Faber.

10:45 Around the motu: Jesse Archer in Taupo

Jesse discusses meet the candidate events in the region ahead of the upcoming local body elections, Mōkai-based Miraka is being sold to Open Country Dairy, and two Taupō mums have pulled together a benefit concert this Saturday to support four local boys injured in a serious car crash. Plus recent snow helps out local ski areas.

11:05 New music with Grant Smithies 

A new double album has just touched down from lauded Californian indie-fold songwriter Cass McCombs. We’ll hear two key tracks from that today, followed by new work from Brooklyn singer/ rapper/ producer Yaya Bey and some languid French Afro-pop from DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam discusses the All Blacks chances vs South Africa; the Black Ferns take on Ireland and the all whites are set for a big few days.

11:45 The week that was

Our comedians Te Radar and Irene Pink bring some levity the end of the week