Nine To Noon

Comedians Pinky Agnew and James Elliott bring a few laughs.

It's a crucial weekend for many of our national sporting teams, with many in sudden death mode. Commentator Sam Ackerman joins Lynn to run the rule over the chances of our men's and women's rugby and league teams, as well as the Black Caps.

Auckland's Lil Chief label has built a mighty reputation for thoughtful, nuanced indie pop gems. To celebrate the label's 20th Anniversary, we'll hear classics today from key Lil Chief artists Jonathan Bree, Princess Chelsea, Voom and The Tokey Tones, followed by some reggae-disco from Devon Russell.

Melissa Oliver from Unity Books Wellington reviews The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel, published by Penguin Random House.

Online payment service Wirecard was once Germany's biggest tech darling and the country's answer to Silicon Valley, at its peak valued at more than 24 billion euros; until 2020, when it was exposed as one of the most audacious corporate frauds of the modern era. A tip-off in 2014 started Financial Times journalist Dan McCrum on a seven year investigation, uncovering corrupt business practices and fraudulent financial reporting. But as he pursued the story, Wirecard fought back viciously; with online abuse, hacking, electronic eavesdropping, physical surveillance and intimidation. But the house of cards eventually came crashing down. Dan McCrum tells the story in his book Money Men: A Hot Startup, A Billion Dollar Fraud, A Fight for the Truth, which been made into a Netflix documentary; Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard.

RNZ Pacific Journalist Koroi Hawkins on Vanuatu's new parliament, the death of Filep Kamar, a leader of the west Papuan freedom movement, the Pacific preparing for COP27, and the latest in Pacific sports.

There's intense competition for the charity dollar, and increasingly more diverse ways are being used to attract people to donate their money and time. One initiative is the volunteer-run social impact organisation 10x10. It was started by a group of young friends in Sydney nine years ago and has grown into a successful global movement. To date 4-million dollars for 300 charities has been raised worldwide. Alaina McGregor heads 10x10 Aotearoa and says you don't need to be wealthy to be a philanthropist.

It's been a disappointing start to Guy Fawkes and firefighters warn the combination of dry windy conditions, coupled with two years of Covid restrictions, could push the firework risk sky high. Fire crews remain at the scene of this week's large fire at Pegasus Bay in north Canterbury which was started by fireworks. The fire is still burning but firefighters say they've managed to keep it from spreading further overnight. Fire and Emergency's Community education manager Adrian Nacey joins Lynn to discuss the concerns about the weekend ahead.

An environmental group is threatening legal action if the Department of Conservation doesn't cancel a permit which authorises Waka Kotahi, the transport authority, to kill kiwi and other species during the building of a bypass in Taranaki. Under the Wildlife Act, DOC is able to grant permits to capture alive, or kill, wildlife if it furthers the purpose of the Act - which is wildlife protection. This permit will allow NZTA to kill 46 species, including ones that are already in serious trouble like the North Island brown kiwi/Kiwi-nui, short-tailed and long-tailed bats, and Archey's frog, as well as tui, kereru, kokako, and piwakawaka/fantail. The Mt Messenger Bypass is a new six kilometre road in Taranaki, from Uruti to Ahititi. The Environmental Law Initiative estimates it will involve the destruction of 30 hectares of native forest and significant wetlands in the Mangapepeke Valley. Waka Kotahi says all of the environmental consents needed for the project have been approved, and it has worked closely with DOC, and other groups, during the investigation and design of the route. Lynn speaks to Mike Britton, the chief executive of the Environmental Law Initiative.

Film and TV reviewer Laumata Lauano joins Kathryn to talk about Duckrockers (TVNZ+), the prequel series to the film Sione's Wedding. She'll also look at the new series of Heartbreak High (Netflix), which is set at the same high school 20 years later and Uraia Tabua is a vlogger who documents life in Fiji (YouTube).