Nine To Noon for Thursday 12 February 2026

09:05 Nose to tail mining - making the most of everything that's dug up

New Zealand is involved in talks with the United States over critical minerals as part of  Donald Trump's plans to counter China's dominance over the industry. While no decisions have been made, Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed officials are working through analysis, targeted consultation and providing advice to relevant ministers. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and  Employment had earlier compiled a list of rare earth minerals with the potential to be produced in this country that includes Cobalt, Cesium, Tungsten and Antimony among many others. Data released this week from New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals revealed record numbers of mineral permit applications last year, with 9 out of ten applications approved in 2025 targeting gold. But it might be possible to extract several of these minerals without creating new mines. Professor Chris Bumby of Victoria University's Robinson Research Institute, is part of a project looking at nose to tail mining focusing on extracting antimony and tungsten from gold mine tailings.

09:25 Retiring Supreme Court Judge Dame Susan Glazebrook on her career

Supreme Court judge Dame Susan Glazebrook is retiring after 13 years with the highest court.  As well as sitting on many top cases, she's been an advocate for women in law, and spoken about the rising global threats to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. As the president of the International Association of Women Judges, Dame Susan lead efforts to evacuate Afghan women judges when the Taliban retook power in 2021. She was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the judiciary in 2014.

09:45 UK: PM faces new questions over former staffer with ties to sex offender

UK correspondent Natasha Clark looks at questions put to Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his former communications chief Matthew Doyle - who was made a Lord in December - and his ties to a convicted sex offender. Former PM Gordon Brown has called for a full investigation into UK links to Epstein sex trafficking, saying there's been a monumental failure to protect women. And survivors of abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayad want their cases investigated as sex trafficking, as the company confirms 180 people are engaged with talks about compensation.

Natasha Clark is political editor LBC London

10:05  Indigenous led research into traditional medicines seeking  new anti-virals

Traditional medicines here and in Sāmoa are being investigated for their potential to treat viral illnesses that afflict people living in the Pacific. A Senior lecturer at Auckland University, Natalie Netzler, has won funding for her indigenous-led work to discover antiviral therapies. Her research  combines indigenous medicinal knowledge and virology to find new treatments for diseases such as dengue, Zika, and measles. These are illnesses that affect Pacific communities and currently there are no approved antiviral treatments. Natalie Netzler -  Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hauā and Samoa - Moto’otua, Falealili   - a research virologist at Auckland University joins Kathryn to talk about her work.

10:30 UAE's Winter Olympic debut has a very Kiwi feel

 Among the surprises of the Winter Olympics this year has been the debut of a team from the United Arab Emirates. The small, desert country is fielding two athletes at these Games - including one born in New Zealand. 30-year-old Peira Hudson will compete this weekend and had the honour of being the flagbearer for the UAE during the opening ceremony. Peira was born and raised here, and has competed for New Zealand in a number of international and national competitions - winning a number of top national titles. She speaks to Kathryn about her connection to the UAE, her joy about being at the Olympics and the events she's competing in.

10:35 Book review: Three of the best from 2025

Cynthia Morahan reviews three of her favourite books from last year: Attention by Anne Enright Penguin Random House, Hardship & Hope by Rebecca McFie, published by Bridget Williams Books, and The Question of Palestine by Edward Said, published by Text Publishing.

 

10:45 Around the motu: Piers Fuller, Editor of the Wairarapa Times-Age

Piers discusses how the scrapping of the RMA could threaten Wairarapa's Dark Sky Reserve, the  subscription based driver service that cold be a world first, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo on a safe life in Masterton and Greytown debuts a cocktail festival.

11:05 Tech: How to get rid of unwanted emails

We've all received unwanted emails, but does unsubscribing from them really work? Tech commentator Alex Sims looks at the law covering spam emails, penalties for breaches and what you can do to reduce the number of emails you receive. 

Alex Sims is a Professor in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Auckland Business School and an expert on blockchain technology, copyright law and consumer law.

11:25 Parenting: Occupational therapist on the support caregivers of neurodivergent children need

Elana Cohen is an occupational therapist who has two decades experience working with children of all ages and abilities - and their families. She's Nelson based - working for Health NZ's Child Development Service, as well as in private practice. Elana says parents and caregivers need lots of support to help neurodivergent children flourish.

11:45 Screentime: His and Hers, Sirat, BridgertonS4

Film and TV correspondent Perlina Lau looks at His and Hers (Netflix), which sees a former news anchor become obsessed with a murder in her hometown and a detective who is suspicious of why. Sirat (cinemas) follows a father looking for his missing daughter and son among a rave in the southern Moroccan desert. And how does Bridgerton season 4 shape up?

Perlina Lau is host of RNZ programme Culture 101