Nine To Noon

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton joins Kathryn to talk about Prime Minister Scott Morrison's 'plan' for Australia to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions just days before he heads to the G20 and COP26. Casino giant Crown Resorts can continuing operating on probation - despite being found unfit to hold a gaming licence. The search continues for four-year-old Cleo Smith, who disappeared from a tent she was sharing with her parents. And St Paul's residential college at Sydney University has decided to admit women for the first time in its 165-year history.

The Electricity Authority says households may be paying an extra $200 per year for power, as they subsidise the cheap energy the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter receives. The Authority has just released its review into the wholesale electricity market to see if it's competitive. RNZ Business Editor Gyles Beckford speaks with Kathryn.

Many museums and art institutions offer online kids programmes in the best of times, and this has been ramped up since lockdowns first began in March last year. This year's final school term, started last week, with nearly 400,000 children in Auckland, Northland and Waikato still learning from home. To provide a couple of hours relief from lockdown home-schooling - Auckland Art Gallery senior manager operations and audiences Richard Wormley says they are offering kid-friendly versions of virtual exhibit tours, as well as ideas for creative projects that don't involve staring at a screen. And New Zealand Maritime Musuem Public Programmes Manager Alison Roigard says they have baking, craft-making and knot tying activities to engage children and their whanau.

Westpac New Zealand is moving to offer discount loans for businesses attaining environmental targets. It's signed an $85 million loan with Pamu, also known as Landcorp, New Zealand's biggest farming business with 114 farms around the country. Pamu will receive a pricing discount from Westpac if it meets specific environmental targets - including a 1.5-degree science-based emissions reduction target. Kathryn speaks with Westpac NZ's General Manager of Sustainability and Strategy, Karen Silk and Chief Executive of Pamu, Steve Carden.

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.