Nine To Noon

Stephen, Ben and Susie discuss the latest Covid management measures, including the rapidly dumped idea of scheduling Aucklanders departure for Christmas holidays. Cabinet meets today and will decide whether to go ahead as planned and allow shops to open and increase the outdoor gathering limit to 25, but the government is being urged to put the brakes on letting Aucklanders hit the shops this week, as case numbers soar. Also a look at employment figures amid warnings of ongoing term labour market woes and the flow on effects into cashflow in the likes of construction industry. Stephen Mills is an executive director at Talbot Mills research limited which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is a former political adviser to two Labour governments. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Luke Finnegan reviews Kurangaituku by Whiti Hereaka published by Huia Publishers.

Taranaki born, Darcy Nicholas (Te Āti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Hauā) has been at large in Aotearoa's and the international arts scene since the 1960's.

Sebastian has the latest on Lebanon's crisis with Gulf countries over war in Yemen that Saudis are still fighting, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has survived an assassination attempt, after his home was targeted with an explosive-laden drone.

How are libraries reinventing themselves to stay relevant and continue to serve and embrace their communities? Jane Stratton leads the Sydney-based non-profit Think+DO Tank Foundation, which tries to make life "easier, better and more affordable" and which works through the arts to elevate the voices of low-income and excluded community members. Jane is addressing this week's LIANZA conference.

The End of Life Choice Act has come into force and assisted dying is now legal in New Zealand. The first assisted death here is expected to happen sometime in December. Eligible patients can now begin the process - which takes four to six weeks. Hundreds of people are expected to apply to choose how and when to die.

A few laughs with Comedians Te Radar and Karen O'Leary - Always blow on the pie - in this case across the Tasman, it's party pies in the shape of Australia!

Sam gives his take on the head trauma issue resurfacing in rugby amid confirmation that former All Black Carl Hayman's early onset dementia diagnosis.

Briar Lawry of Unity Books Auckland The Country of Others by Leïla Slimani, published by Faber & Faber.

In the near future, the climate emergency has forced the wealthy to seek refuge in Aotearoa. Water is rationed, and things like coffee and beer are now luxury items - prohibitively expensive for most people. This is the setting for Kirsten McDougall's new novel 'She's a Killer'.