Nine To Noon

Liz delves into why the dream of a comfortable retirement lifestyle is gradually getting out of reach for many New Zealanders - not only those nearing the end of their working life with little or no savings, but younger people who have battled against record house prices to buy their first home.

A new book is celebrating Maoritanga and the true stories of Maori who have achieved incredible things. The book Kia Kaha, by Stacey Morrison and Jeremy Sherlock, documents 49 Maori people and groups who blazed a trail, and in their way changed the world. It features people like Sir Apirana Ngata, Patricia Grace, Billy T James, Meri Te Tai Mangakahia, and many more. It's a beautiful book filled with glorious illustrations by 12 Maori artists and while it's targeted at young people, it will be sure to attract readers of any age. Kathryn speaks with the authors; Stacey Morrison a broadcaster and a champion of Te Reo Maori, and Jeremy Sherlock a writer, editor, and publisher interested in all things Maoritanga.

Stephen, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss the Goverment's re-opening plan, the traffic light system for living with the Covid-19 pandemic and a road-map for getting back to business. Also, National and Labour's collaboration on housing. Stephen Mills is an executive director at Talbot Mills research limited which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is former political adviser to two Labour governments Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government.

David Hill reviews Silverview by John le Carré, published by Penguin Random House.

Logan Murray is described as the man who put New Zealand surfing on the map. His surf photography has graced the covers of virtually every major surfing magazine on the planet and he's the only New Zealander to have his photography on the cover of the prestigious American magazine The Surfer's Journal - which he's done three times. He's also captured some of the country's most iconic surfing photos. He says his point of difference is his photos "ooze New Zealand" - perfect line-ups, set behind scenes of rural farms and native vegetation, with the odd sheep, cow or occasional surfer's tent in the foreground. Always in search of places that have never been shot, Logan goes to extreme lengths to reach remote areas; "who dares discovers" is his mantra. His new book Line-Up: New Zealand Surf Photography is full of stunning photos of pristine waves. Kathryn speaks to Logan Murray, from his home in Wainui Beach, Gisborne.

It is the final days of campaigns for the Virginia governor's race. It is seen as one of the few test cases this year of how the two parties are faring with voters. The race is very tight right now and is viewed as a possible lens into voter feelings about Biden and other Democrats. And young children are on track to become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines as early as next week. Kelsey Snell is a congressional correspondent for NPR, based in Washington DC.

Tex Edwards is the man behind a push for a third supermarket chain. He founded the telecommunications firm 2degrees, and is part of Northelia, a group of entrepreneurs keen to set up new supermarket chain in competition with the incumbents Woolworths NZ and Foodstuffs, if the regulatory environment is changed. Mr Edwards is also part of the lobby group Monopoly Watch. In a draft report in July, the Commerce Commission found that supermarkets were making excess profits, and signalled it could require the incumbents to sell some of their stores and open up their distribution centres to rivals in order to help a third operator enter the market. The Commission is currently holding a virtual conference on its market study, with its final report due next year. Tex Edwards says New Zealanders are currently getting poor service and paying too much.

The head of the Government's Covid-19 Public Health Advisory Group says the delta outbreak will ultimately speed up our reopening to the world. Epidemiologist Professor Sir David Skegg's group has submitted several reports to the government earlier this month, and has given advice on the Covid Protection Framework - or traffic light system - outlined on Friday. Sir David says the new system is a major milestone in the pandemic, and he believes New Zealand will swiftly become a highly vaccination nation, which alongside careful public health measures, will enable us to return to some sort of normal.

Comedians Te Radar and Gemma Gracewood with a few laughs.

It's been a sad week for New Zealand Rugby with the death of Sean Wainui, Sam Cane returns to the All Blacks after injury ahead of the USA test and the Black Caps are up against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.