Nine To Noon

Paul Diamond reviews Kārearea by Māmari Stephens, published by Bridget Williams Books.

The damaging domination of Australia's right-wing media has weaponised climate change, says Malcolm Turnbull, who was Australian prime minister between 2015 and 2018.

Sebastian talks to Kathryn about Iran and the nuclear talks - with a growing sense that they may fail and then what next?. And Libya's presidential election is due on Christmas Eve, but looks all but certain that it will have to be postponed. Mu'ammar Gaddafi's son is among the candidates.

An assessment of how the All Blacks and the Black Ferns and their coaches have performed this year, where things at with the Silver Lake deal and just what is being done to improve player safety and in particular debilitating head injuries in current and former players. NZR Chief Executive Officer, Mark Robinson fronts up.

The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) regulations, came into force this month with the intention of protecting borrowers, but they are being described as a nightmare locking many people out of the housing market.

Comedians Te Radar and Michele A'Court bring some levity the end of the week, including the story of possibly the worst staff Christmas party in Australia, where the festive fare was two minute noodles.

Former Halberg Awards judge Sam Ackerman looks at on this year's nominees. He says the Black Ferns Sevens are sitting higher on the food chain than the All Blacks. Also one of the most disgraced captains of modern sport, Australian cricketer Steve Smith gets another crack at leading his country.

Tilly Lloyd from Unity Books Wellington reviews Shackleton by Ranulph Fiennes, published by Penguin. Sir Ranulph Fiennes followed in Shackleton's footsteps and brings his own unique insights to bear on these infamous expeditions in this engaging new biography.

Claire Nelson has had long road to recovery after a near fatal hiking accident in the Joshua Tree National Park. The New Zealander set off on a day long expedition and ended up surviving four days alone in blistering heat in the California desert. She has written about her 2018 ordeal in a new book Things I Learned From Falling.

The Red Cross has begun distributing aid in the Solomon Islands while New Zealand police and defence personnel emain as part of peacekeeping support for local police until next month. Moera also talks to Kathryn about New Caledonia's referendum results, and Tonga's new Prime Minister.