Nine To Noon RNZ Radio

AgriZero NZ is a public-private partnership between the New Zealand government, Synlait, Rabobank, Fonterra, ANZCO, Silver Fern Farms, ANZ, ASB, A2 Milk and Ravensdown. Established in 2023, it has the bold aim of reducing our agricultural methane emissions 30% by 2030. To date, $180 million has been committed through to 2026. Kathryn Ryan spoke to Chief Executive Wayne McNee in October. Six months on Head of Strategy & Engagement Ruth Leary discusses what progress has been made.

The latest unemployment figures show once again youth are hardest hit during economic headwinds. Last week, Stats NZ reported the official unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent in the first quarter of this year. In the year to March, official unemployment rose by 31,000 people with youth, 15-24 year olds, comprising more than half of that increase - rising by 21,000. According to Stats NZ data, the rate of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) has fluctuated with the economy over the past two decades. After experiencing relative stability in the early 2000s, the Global Financial Crisis triggered a dramatic spike in youth NEET rate, peaking at 17.8 percent for young women and 12.6 percent for young men. In the three months to the end of March, the proportion of New Zealand youth not in employment, education, or training was sitting at 12.4 percent. AUT Professor of Economics and NZ Policy Research Institute director Gail Pacheco speaks to Kathryn.

More than 80 percent of councils around the country are planning a double-digit rates rise this next year. With nearly one in five either above, or hovering just below, a 20 percent rates rise. Wellington City Council's draft ten-year plan envisages a doubling of homeowners rates bills, within a decade. Councils face a $52 billion infrastructure deficit - accordiing to the Infrastructure Commission - and higher rates rises are expected to be the norm for years to come. This at a time when many councils are already pushing debt to income boundaries. A deal over the weekend will mean Watercare in Auckland can spread investment debt over a longer period easing the cost pressure in the short term. But there are questions about how and if this kind of deal could work for all councils. Local Government New Zealand president and Selwyn District mayor Sam Broughton says the funding system for councils is broken and they need more options outside of asking ratepayers for more. Infometrics prinicpal economist Brad Olsen says one idea - not being entertained by Government - is to return GST on rates to councils, which would cost $1.1 billion.

Comedic duo Michele A'Court and Irene Pink bring this week's lighter moments, including the cat who climbed into a postage box and travelled more than 1000 kilometres across America.

Qatar has made a surprise bid to host the finals of the new Rugby Nations Championship from 2026.  And in Mini-Golf news, Kiwi Matt Ansley finished second in a major world tour.

Work on the almost-completed Palmerston North cycleway has paused as arguments rage. Also, why ratepayers are facing an eye-watering bill for a new sewage treatment plant.