Nine To Noon

09:05 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead - what next for Iran? 

Israel has resumed air strikes on Iran this morning as the United States confirms its first combat deaths during President Donald Trump's second term. In a series of extraordinary moves over the weekend, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during joint US and Israeli air strikes on Tehran - while US President Donald Trump has publicly called for regime change. Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes against American military in the Middle East, as well as at Israel. Dubai and Bahrain International Airports and the landmark Burj Al Arab hotel have been damaged during retaliatory strikes. Advice for New Zealanders stranded in the Middle East is to heed shelter-in-place advisories or leave if it is safe to do so. BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner has reported extensively from the Middle East for decades - he speaks to Kathryn. 

09:25 Lawyers flag 'unintended consequences' of planned changes to Crimes Act

Criminal lawyers have flagged serious concerns with planned citizens' arrest powers and new laws specifically targeting the so-called coward punch, and assaults on first responders. The Crimes Amendment Bill is currently before Select Committee. The Criminal Law Committee, a part of the Law Association, has written to parliament explaining while lawyers favour the intent of the changes - they have concerns about how the legislation will actually work in practice, and if they will comply with the Bill of Rights Act. Julie-Anne Kincade KC is the Vice-President of The Law Association and Convenor of the Criminal Law Committee.

09:35 Future of water services warning

An infrastructure boss is warning the establishment of new water entities risks creating corporate-heavy bureaucracies that still fail to deliver essential infrastructure. From July 1, nearly three-quarters of the country’s population will have their water services being delivered by Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs), many of which will be shared across councils. Examples include Tiaki Wai in Wellington and Waikato Waters, an organisation owned by seven different councils. The Commerce Commission recently announced new requirements for these entities to publish detailed data on revenue, expenditure, and long-term infrastructure maintenance plans. Raveen Jaduram is the former CEO of Auckland's Watercare - the model for these water organisations - and he is now chair of both the Infrastructure Commission and the water regulator, Taumata Arowai. He tells Kathryn about his concerns the new water entities could be top heavy with highly paid executives and directors while still struggling to deliver water services well. 

09:45 South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler

The US president, Donald Trump, has said what he called a friendly takeover of Cuba is possible,  to relieve them from a near siege being  imposed by the US, Mexican troops working with the US have killed their most wanted drug cartel leader known as El Mencho...but what now? And money falling from the sky in Bolivia.

10:05 Trevor Worthy on a career of fossil finding

Known as 'Mr. Moa' Trevor Worthy is a world-leading paleozoologist who remains at the forefront of his field, most recently identifying new ancestors of the kākāpō and takahē among fossil deposits in a Waitomo cave. For more than 40 years, Worthy has been piecing together New Zealand’s prehistoric narrative, describing and naming more than 100 new vertebrate species, including 75 birds and three species of fossil frogs. His career took root in the 1980s with his discovery of the Moa Eggshell Cave in Waitomo, and has continued through annual excavations at the prehistoric St Bathans site in Central Otago. Now based at Flinders University in Adelaide, the researcher reflects on how his early caving adventures in Waitomo evolved into a career uncovering the avian mysteries of the South Pacific.

10:30 Should third party vehicle insurance be compulsory?

Supporters of compulsory third party vehicle insurance argue that would prevent innocent drivers from facing hefty repair bills they can’t afford. However recent comments from the Transport Minister suggest that such a change won't be happening any time soon. Chris Bishop told interest.co.nz that mandatory third party vehicle insurance wasn't considered by the Government as part of changes to the country’s driver licensing system. He also said the gains are not necessarily as high as everyone else thinks, given the huge number of New Zealanders already have vehicle insurance. Dylan Thomsen, is road safety spokesperson for the Automobile Association.

10:35 Book review: Kin by Tayari Jones

Gina Rogers reviews Kin by Tayari Jones, published by Penguin Random House.

10:45 Around the motu: Simon Wilson, a Listener columnist based in Auckland

Simon chats to Kathryn about media speculation Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown might run for Prime Minister, the latest on planning for a second Auckland  harbour crossing, the light rail option to the airport that is still being talked about plus National's plans to campaign for greater fishing protections in the Hauraki Gulf and the problems still plaguing Queen St.

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones and Tim Hurdle 

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.

Tim Hurdle is a former National senior adviser, consultant and director of several companies. 

11:25 Growing strawberries near Wanaka? They said it couldn't be done

Red Bridge Berries is located just outside of Wanaka, overlooking the Clutha River. Owners Bex and Ben Trotter bought the farm in 2021, and set about planting 30,000 strawberry plants. A few months later, the Trotter's opened the region’s first pick-your-own strawberry patch. That's after people told them strawberries wouldn't grow in Wanaka. Alongside the strawberry business, the couple grows and sells herbs, all whilst raising four kids. Bex Trotter joins Kathryn. 

11:45 Urban Issues with Bill McKay

Auckland's housing plans change, again. Bill looks at what it means for councils, zoning, and residents.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.