Nine To Noon

Gas bills will rise by an average of 11 percent next month for Contact Energy customers, and 10 percent for Genesis customers - if not on fixed term contracts. Electricity prices are also on the rise, by an average of 8 percent for Contact customers; Genesis does not yet have that figure available. The size of the increases vary from customer to customer, and depend on where they live, and which plan they are on. One Contact Energy customer in Wellington has been notified of a 15 percent increase in their electricity price. The companies have pointed to low gas production, and the increased cost of carbon credits, for rising gas prices. However the four major generator-retailer companies; Contact, Genesis, Mercury and Meridian, have doubled their profits in the last 12 months from $788 million to more than $1.5 billion. Kathryn speaks to Mike Fuge, the chief executive of Contact Energy and Paul Fuge, the manager of Powerswitch - Consumer NZ's price comparison website.

It's been a rough couple of years for the arts sector, but things are getting back to normal - with the Auckland Theatre Company releasing its line-up for its 2023 season this morning. Kathryn is joined by the ATC's artistic director Jonathan Bielski.

In 1966 Robert 'Skip' Gardner hopped the Tasman and brought a small group of grifters with him to run a company that was looking distributors to sell its cosmetics through dairies and milk-bars. The story of New Zealand's biggest swindles, by true-crime author Scott Bainbridge - who's also written Without Trace and Still Missing.

Sonja de Friez reviews The Crown in Vogue by Robin Muir and Josephine Ross, published by Hachette

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche looks at efforts to recoup millions from victims of Sydney fraudster Melissa Caddick, plans to restrict digital streaming services from having access to certain live sports and more rain is forecast for a flood-weary New South Wales.

A New Plymouth based freight trucking and warehousing business is entering the coasting shipping market - with a cargo ship capable of running on methanol - if and when the biofuel is available. Kathryn speaks with MOVE executive director Chris Dunphy.

A group of Ruapehu shareholders and life pass holders says appalling governance by the board of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is to blame for the company going into voluntary administration. Kathryn speaks to Sam Clarkson spokesperson for the Ruapehu shareholders and Life Pass Holders group, and owner of the Skotel at the foot of Whakapapa ski field also John Fisk - of PwC, one of two appointed as the voluntary administrators and Leigh Berry, who runs Ruapehu Mountain Lodge.

Media commentator Andrew Holden joins Kathryn to look at attempts by Canada to introduce legislation similar to Australia's that would compel the likes of Google and Meta to negotiate deals with publishers. Select committee hearings have continued into the TVNZ/RNZ merger and Stuff's online video about foetal alcohol spectrum disorder has won an international award. Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne.

He's been the face of, and driving force behind, kids' television in New Zealand for decades. But Jason Gunn is turning over a new leaf - literally - with the release of a book he's co-written with his brother Andrew. It's called Jason Mason and the World's Most Powerful Itching Powder. Kathryn talks to him about the elements of a good children's book, his time creating and presenting children's television and how he's been helping adults to conquer their fear of public speaking.

Business commentator Nikki Mandow has been looking at the big issues from the Agri-food-tech 2035 Oceania Summit, including a focus on alternative food proteins and difficulty getting funding for innovation in the agriculture. Nikki Mandow is Newsroom's business editor