Nine To Noon

09:05 Gulf States request Australian drone defence technology 

All six Gulf States including Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar have been impacted by Iranian strikes since the war began, which have targeted civilian infrastructure including airports. The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the federal government had received requests from some of those countries for protection against drone and missile attacks. An Australian security analyst told the ABC Australia had limited capacity for counter-drone activity, beyond a project called LAND156, which is still in early development. The defence force does have a system called NASAMS, a short-range surface-to-air missile system, which could be deployed alongside a small detachment of soldiers. Kathryn speaks to the ABC's Nick Grimm about what the Government is considering.

09:10 Supermarket suppliers urged to take part in anonymous survey

The Commerce Commission is again running an anonymous survey to find out how suppliers are being treated by supermarkets. It's the second time it's run such a review and the Commission says it needs to be anonymous because there is still some hesitation from suppliers, such as manufacturers, farmers and growers, to talk about their experiences with the big retailers. The Commission will use the information to work out what areas need greater attention. Kathryn speaks to Alice Hume, Head of Groceries at the Commerce Commission.

09:25  Are there alternatives to mining for critical minerals?

Much of the recent talk about mining has focused on extracting critical minerals, but a physicist from Auckland University wants to turn that conversation on its head. Professor Nicola Gaston is the Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology,  and she wants the planning to focus on what's being built  and then for the thought to be around how to get what's needed and not just look to  mining She says innovative development can be used to find alternative elements such using aluminium in batteries instead of lithium. Nicola Gaston also points to the increasing efforts to re-cycle critical minerals.

09:45 Security analyst on Australia's readiness for a role in the Mideast conflict  

An Australian security analyst says his country does have technology that could be used to protect civilians and infrastructure, as the Mideast conflict continues. The Australian government is considering a request for military assistance from Gulf states. Kathryn speaks with Malcolm Davis, senior defence strategy analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

09:50 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

Growing list of European voices against the war in Iran, Europe rethinks its nuclear options, prompting Russian warnings, and Iceland confirms referendum on resuming EU membership talks.

Seamus Kearney is RNZ's Europe correspondent. 

10:05 Ruben Miller's crime scene reflections

Forensic scientist Ruben Miller has seen the results of some of the worst crimes in recent history in New Zealand. And the crime scenes have taken their toll on him. He has been managing post-traumatic stress disorder through therapy for years now. In a new memoir The Blood Says Otherwise he's been reflecting on a 22-year career investigating more than 160 homicides. Ruben details some of the scenes he has worked at and the methodology a forensic scientist takes when trying to unravel a picture of what has happened. He hopes it shifts the narrative for frontline emergency workers who have to live with what they see, and that they should be open in asking for help. 

10:30 Why archaeology is far more than just ancient history

Archaeologist Julian Richards is obsessed with Stonehenge. Over the past 55 years, Julian has explored the ancient past buried beneath the earth - mainly in his native UK. An author, broadcaster and educator for both adults and children, he's been in New Zealand unearthing stories about his career in ruins. Julian joins Kathryn in our Wellington ahead of a talk this evening at Te Papa. 

10:35 Book review: What to Wear by Jenny Bornholdt

Airini Beautrais reviews What to Wear by Jenny Bornholdt, published by Te Herenga Waka University Press.

10:45 Around the motu: Tom Hunt is a senior journalist with  Wellington's The Post

Tom speaks to Kathryn about the impact the Moa Point fiasco has had on local businesses, the planned money saving cuts at council, the latest on a stoush over  fines and a Wellington CBD bus lane, and a huge volunteer effort to get tracks cleared in time for the inaugural Wellington Mountain Bike Festival.

11:05 Political commentators Gareth Hughes and Ron Mark 

Gareth Hughes is the Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa is a former Green MP and is no longer a member of any political party.

Ron Mark is a former Cabinet Minister and New Zealand First MP and deputy leader. He was the mayor of Carterton from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2022 to 2025. He is not an active member of any political party. 

Kathryn, Gareth and Ron discuss recent events in politics including New Zealand's response to conflict in the Middle East. 

11:30 The vegan ice cream store in the middle of dairy faming country 

Peita Kensington owns a Taranaki dairy free ice cream store with a difference — it is located right in the middle of dairy country. Pieta, the owner of Little Liberty Creamery in Inglewood, says many of her relatives are dairy farmers who questioned her when she bought the business. But she says nothing beats the look on kids' faces when they realise they can eat everything on the menu. When more often than not, the options for those with dietary requirements are limited. For 2026, Pieta is also making a new ice cream flavour every week. Peita speaks to Kathryn. 

11:45 Off the beaten track with Sam Harrison 

Sam Harrison - a keen tramper and member of the Wellington tramping club recently did 12 days in Fiordland National Park. This was possible through a scholarship by the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand. He tells Kathryn Ryan about the sandflies, steep terrain, fog, bog and kea.