Nine To Noon RNZ Radio

Kennedy talks to Kathryn about godwits which are currently en route to New Zealand from Alaska, the gannets of Cape Kidnappers and one of the most ancient Gondwanan forests: the Daintree rainforest.

Charlie Farrelly-Gruar and John Harrison, aka Seymore are two Auckland mates who are passionate about food. The Eggplant Boys kai has been gaining an instagram following, particularly their fun approach and commitment to encouraging others to give cooking a go. Charlie says when mates cook together it's so much more than creating food. It's helped him to open up and have healthy conversations about mental health and chats about all that life throws at you.

Kathryn, Brigitte and Lamia discuss National holding firm on tax cuts, constant pressure on the Government over social housing and what the latest political poll shows. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. Lamia Imam worked for two years for the Labour Party in the Leader of the Opposition's office under Phil Goff, David Shearer and David Cunliffe. She also worked for the Ministry of Justice, before gaining a Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. She currently works for a large technology company in Wellington.

Kim Pittar from Muirs Bookshop in Gisborne reviews All The Broken Places by John Boyne, published by Penguin Random House NZ.

Businessman and entrepreneur Ian McCrae founded Orion Health three decades ago, but after 30 years at the helm he's appointed a new CEO - his son in law Brad Porter. Ian McCrae remains an Executive Director at Orion. He talks to Kathryn about the growth of his family business and says it's almost impossible now for Kiwi health software vendors to get started in New Zealand and get their first sales here.

The Russian President has suffered another humiliating defeat in Ukraine, just a day after he was condemned by the West for escalating the war by declaring the annexation of four eastern Ukrainian regions. There are fears about what the annexations could mean in terms of Vladimir Putin's use of military options, given he now claims he's defending Russian territory. Ukraine has vowed to continue recapturing land seized by Russia. Also, Europe contemplates the likelihood of a far-right PM in Italy and in Denmark, there's royal intrigue as Danish Queen strips her grandchildren of titles.