Nine To Noon

09:05 Is the government's cyber security plan enough?

A  newly released government  cyber security plan aims to reduce the chance of harmful hacking,  as the risks  to critical infrastructure grow. In a discussion document, the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said the impact of cyber  attacks was escalating, with the operation of critical infrastructure potentially severely disrupted or halted - paralysing the delivery of essential services. The adoption of new technology is said to be exacerbating the risk, and just this year the breaches at  ManageMy Health and Medimap are an indication of apparent vulnerabilities. At the moment there is no single piece of legislation that mandates enforceable minimum cyber security requirements. One of those who has just taken part in consultation on the cyber security plans is Patrick Sharp, general manager of  Kordia-owned Aura Information Security.

09:20 BBC correspondent James Waterhouse on the Iran conflict

Iran is threatening to strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation, if US President Donald Trump follows through with his threat to attack Iran's power plants. Over the weekend, President Trump issued a 48 hour deadline, which would be reached tomorrow New Zealand time, for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. Many Iranians are trying to flee to safety and the border into Turkey is one escape route. Those leaving have told journalists they feel unsafe and scared. The BBC's James Waterhouse has been on the border between Turkey and Iran, speaking to people fleeing. He's now in Jerusalem.

09:35 How a simple check could save young men from a deadly - but easily curable - cancer

It's the most common cancer for men under 40, with extremely good recovery rates - but only if it's caught early enough. Testicular cancer typically affects men between the ages of 15 and 44, with 170 diagnosed each year. While women are encouraged through public awareness campaigns to check their breasts for cancer, men don't get the same level of messaging about self-checks for testicular cancer. That'll change next month when  Testicular Cancer NZ runs its first active campaign encouraging men to regularly check for unusual lumps and bumps. Kathryn speaks with urologist and surgeon Jim Duthie about risk factors and treatment for testicular cancer, as well as Harrison Stott who was diagnosed just after he'd run a marathon in Norway. 

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney 

EU leaders under pressure over fuel and electricity prices, it's a big day of voting in some EU countries with a tight race in Slovenia between ruling left & Trump-allied right.

Seamus Kearney reports from Lyon. 

10:05 The husband and wife team behind Aro on life in a caravan, supporting kura Māori, and their new album

The husband and wife musical duo behind Aro are releasing a new album - written while living on the road in a caravan with their two young children. Emily and Charles Looker will continue in the caravan on a nationwide tour this month through to early May, including Cuba Dupa in Wellington. Their most recent album, He Rākau, He Ngārara won Best Pop Album by a Māori Artist at the Waiata Māori Music Awards in 2024, and their song Māhoe me Pataē was longlisted for the APRA Silver Scroll Award. The album, Tāwauwau, will be released March 20 and is described as immersive storytelling, bilingual lyricism, and soulful connection.

10:35 Book review: Every Second Counts by Charlotte Glennie

Laura Caygill reviews Every Second Counts by Charlotte Glennie, published by Moa Press.
A gripping and important memoir of a career in news and what it takes to keep moving forward.

10:45 Around the motu: David Williams Newsroom's Te Waipounamu, South Island Correspondent

Why a former city council depot remains undeveloped, The South Island's 'Power List', and the untold story behind Heinz Wattie’s proposal to close factories and restructure 350 staff.

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones and Liam Hehir 

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

Liam Hehir is a Palmerston North lawyer, political commentator and a National Party member.

11:30 Eating out with a difference

If you want to eat a three course meal, to pay what you can, and maybe volunteer to help out with the dishes afterwards, then Te Aro Eats might be the option for you. Described as a unique restaurant experience, the chefs create menus from rescued ingredients, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Dinners sit at shared tables with the kaupapa of bringing people together. Everybody Eats have fixed locations in Onehunga and Glen Innes in Auckland, and in Wellington. But this weekend they have a activation event at the Cuba Dupa festival in the capital. Jack Rainey from Everybody Eats and Sarah Mills from Seed to Feed.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy celebrates a predator eradication milestone: Otago Peninsula has been declared possum-free, and he shares highlights from a recent whistle stop tour of the country with two dozen National Geographic visitors. One of these spots is only 20 minutes from Queenstown - Moke Lake - a gem of a lake nestled in farmland and regenerating forest.