Nine To Noon

09:05 Haere Rā 2025

Kathryn and commentators look back on the year in politics, business, the economy and science.

09:20 Simon Olliver on becoming the 41st + oldest person to finish the Oceans Seven

It took him more than a decade - but earlier this year Simon Olliver achieved the incredible feat of becoming the oldest person to complete the gruelling Oceans Seven swim. He's also one of just 41 people to have managed it - and the third New Zealander after Kimberley Chambers and Caitlin O'Reilly - who's the youngest Oceans Seven finisher. The Oceans Seven is a marathon swimming challenge across seven channels: The English, North, Molokai and Catalina Channels and the Tsugaru, Gibraltar and Cook straits. Simon swum Cook Strait back in 2014 and on his third attempt swimming the 45 kilometre Molokai Channel in Hawaii in August - also known as the Channel of Bones - he entered into the record books. Simon is the president of the Canterbury Open Water Swimming Association and joins Kathryn to talk about the challenge.

09:35 Wellingtonian takes to the field for Thai women's football team

South East Asia's biggest sporting event winds up tomorrow, and playing for the Thai  women's side has been Wellington's Natalie Olson. She had a cracking season for Wellington United this year - 35 goals  - netting her the Golden Boot in the Women's Central League. That saw her dad reach out to Anthony Hudson  - former All Whites manager, who's currently managing the Thai men's team - to let him know about Thai-born Natalie's success. She was invited over to train with the team in early December and made her debut for Thailand during the South East Asian Games. Kathryn talks to her about how it's gone and her plans for the future.

 

10:05 The many roles of screen legend Sir Sam Neill

 He's been considered one for years - but last month Sir Sam Neill was officially designated a Screen Legend. The honour marking his stellar fifty year career was handed out at the New Zealand Screen Awards and followed his Logie for 'Best Lead Actor' in the series The Twelve at the Australian TV awards in August. From Sleeping Dogs and Reilly, Ace of Spies.... to Jurassic Park, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Tudors....his CV is a veritable chocolate box of roles from which fans can pick their favourites. When he's not filming, the Central Otago resident can be found on his Two Paddocks farm and vineyard surrounded by his celebrity-named animals. Most recently Sir Sam has been outspoken in his opposition to plans to fast-track a goldmine in the local Bendigo area. Kathryn speaks to him about his concerns about that project, his latest screen honours and what he can detail about his upcoming projects.

10:30 Jeremy Taylor's favourite music of 2025

Slowboat Record's Jeremy Taylor picks his favourite music from the year, from Aotearoa and the world.

11:05 Haere Rā 2025

Nota Bene sing Christmas songs live in studio, and Kathryn looks back on 2025 with panelists te Radar, Irene Pink, Sam Ackerman and Kirsten Zemke.

11:10 Stevin Creegan and his Harley riding service dog, Loki 

When Stevin Creegan gets on his Harley Davison to go on a ride, his best mate Loki is always along for the journey.Loki is a 6 year old black labrador - and a service dog for former Air Force Sergeant Creeggan - who was the sole survivor of the 2010 ANZAC Day Iroquois helicopter crash near Wellington. Stevin lives with PTSD and chronic pain from the spinal and leg injuries he sustained in that accident. He tells Kathryn about Loki's specially adapted backpack, goggles and earmuffs for their regular outings.

11:25 Kiwi Elvis tribute artist bound for Australian competition

While some of us will be holidaying at the beach this summer , 21 year old Elvis tribute artist Taurean Kenny Mill from Upper Hutt, will be gearing up to travel to Queensland to compete in the Parkes Elvis Festival competition. Parkes is 350 kilometres west of Sydney,  and will host 25,000 fans and 21 competitors from January 7th. The winner of the Ultimate Elvis tribute artist title - goes to Memphis later next year for the semi finals and finals.