Nine To Noon

The pohutukawa, Aotearoa's Christmas tree, is in full bloom now in many parts of the country, signalling it's time to head to the beach. But just two decades ago the future of the iconic tree was in doubt. Robyn Haugh, Chief Executive of Project Crimson, a charitable trust dedicated to protect and restore the pohutukawa and rata, says New Zealanders are embracing the idea of donating trees around the country.

Nikki talks to Kathryn about a few localised protests. There's the Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray Westmere helipad situation, a sand issue at Herne Bay beach, opposition at Pakiri about the environmental issues around sand, and skiers are protesting potential Mt Ruapehu ownership changes. Nikki Mandow is Newsroom's business editor.

Dan West from Patrick's Bookshop in Whanganui reviews The Odyssey by Homer.

Winning gold at last year's Olympics marked the end of an emotional learning journey the Black Ferns Sevens began five years earlier, says Ruby Tua. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they won a silver medal, the team was under a lot of pressure to simultaneously not let the country down and figure out what they stood for, she tells Kathryn Ryan.

Another Covid surge in the US with a huge wave of Omicron cases and the retiring director of the National Institutes of Health warns there could be one million cases per day. And the nation is preparing to mark the anniversary of the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol. The committee investigating the attack is issuing subpoenas and the House has voted to hold the former White House Chief of Staff in contempt of Congress.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is calling for urgent action on water infrastructure in the face of the growing threat from climate change. The report Water Availability and Security in Aotearoa urges New Zealand to "act strategically - and to act now". It says while New Zealand is traditionally viewed as a green and water-rich country, climate change trends show the country is getting warmer and drier, and more prone to climate extremes like floods and droughts. It warns that current interventions will not be enough in future, and strategic focus and serious investment will be needed to meet the challenge of climate change.

An overloaded coronial system, creaking under the pressure of cases requiring investigation, is being described as fundamentally flawed and aggravating families' grief. Ministry of Justice figures obtained by Stuff show the number of inquests have dropped dramatically from 2012 when 330 unexpected deaths were investigated. By 2019, that number was down to just 62, and in 2020 only 24 deaths were investigated - however Covid-19 lockdowns were a big factor. Wait times have also ballooned; with it taking an average of 877 days for an inquiry to be conducted, and 1451 days for an inquest. Minister for Courts Aupito William Sio has promised to reform the coronial system; Kathryn speaks with him about the progress being made, as well as Anne Stevens QC, a barrister in Dunedin who represents families in the Coroners Court.

Kennedy shares some thoughts from the road during a celebratory taste of travel freedom. He has journeyed North to places of his heart: Russell/Kororareka and Urquharts Bay, at the head of Whangarei Harbour. He's speaking this morning from a headland above Urquharts Bay, gazing seaward.

Not everyone feels like preparing or even eating a huge Christmas meal. A good platter can bring plenty of cheer, and tide everyone over, especially when unexpected guests arrive, or you have tempting morsels of delicious deli cuts or leftovers in the fridge. Kathryn speaks with Wanaka's platter queen Rachelle May who runs The Platter Share, for some Christmas platter styling tips.

Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten talk to Kathryn about the big Covid decisions facing the Government, with Omicron bearing down, and already surfacing in MIQ. Decisions need to be made about booster shots and the border reopening. Also discussing the economy and the National change of leadership taking support off Act.