Nine To Noon

09:05 News and current affairs

09:20 Seeds collected from warmer climates to help protect New Zealand species

For the first time seeds from Albania and Serbia have been added to New Zealand's Margot Forde Genebank. The collection - based in Palmerston North - is home to more than 175,000 seed samples from more than 100 countries, and is one of the largest and most diverse in the world. It plays a critical role in preserving plant genetic resources to support food security, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. Among the newly collected species, which are yet to arrive in New Zealand, are populations of ryegrass, clover, fescue, cocksfoot and herbs such as chicory. With New Zealand summers getting hotter and drier  the Bioeconomy Science Institute has collected these new samples because they originate from regions that have recently experienced severe drought. It means they are valuable for developing varieties that can better withstand climate change here in Aotearoa. Kioumars Ghamkhar is the Director of the Margot Forde Genebank.

09:45 Asia correspondent Elisabeth Beattie

10:05 Bringing St James cycle trail back to its glory

Mark Inglis loves a challenge. When the mountaineer and amputee learned the once glorious St James cycle trail had fallen into disrepair about 5 years ago, he had to get involved. In the Clarence and Waiau valleys - the 60km trail runs through the 78,000 ha St James Station - one of the country's largest high country farms. DoC took over managing it in 2008 and it became one of the country's 'great rides'. The department has struggled with upkeep, and it was smashed by storms in 2021 with a key bridge destroyed. In August, that was replaced and the trail was stitched back together. Mark set up the St James Cycle Trust and it has been given a 3-year concession to manage the track. But raising revenue to keep it going is difficult, and Mark's focus is on getting local community to embrace the trail.  

10:35 Book review: Katabasis by R F Kuang

Laura Caygill reviews Katabasis by R F Kuang, published by Harper Collins.

10:45 Around the motu: Chris Hyde in Hawkes Bay

11:05 New music with Grant Smithies

Leeds producer Nightmares On Wax (George Evelyn) has just released his 10th studio album, inspired by the sound system culture of his home city. We’ll hear two key tracks from that today, followed by new music from Wellington’s The Close Readers and a dusty classic from Philadelphia soul singer Jill Scott.

11:30 Sports commentator Dana Johannsen

11:45 The week that was

Comedians te Radar and Elizabeth Easther share some of the funnier stories of the past week.