Nine To Noon for Tuesday 13 February 2024

09:05 Concern NZ is not on top of spread of exotic weeds

There's frustration at the rate of progress to enact a national action plan for managing invasive weed species. Back in late 2021, a major report was released warning if exotic plants were left to their own devices, they could transform ecosystems beyond recognition. Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton described it as a "silent invasion" which required a coordinated response, and better monitoring and surveillance systems. Those calls were amplified this year with a report from AgResearch warning sleeper weed Chilean needle grass could become a billion dollar problem for agriculture if a control plan isn't set in place soon. Angela Brandt is a senior researcher at Manaaki Whenua and was involved in the 2021 report. She now works with teams on the ground to oversee several projects in weed ecology - some of whom want to see more urgent action.

09:25 Fears strained court system could be impacted by spending cuts

Law experts are worried an upcoming round of Government spending cuts will pack pressure onto an already strained justice sector. Public sector departments have been asked to propose a way to reduce spending by 6.5% ahead of the 2024 Budget. The reduction is across the 'justice cluster' - made up of the Ministry of Justice, New Zealand Police, Department of Corrections, Crown Law Office and the Serious Fraud Office. A spokesperson for Finance Minister Nicola Willis says agencies have been asked to create the proposed cuts for from non-essential functions for Cabinet to decide on ahead of this year's Budget. The Ministry of Justice is working to identify savings options across all of its activities, but cannot say more as it is a Budget-sensitive process. But Bridgette Toy-Cronin, an associate professor from Otago University's faculty of law whose research focuses on improving access to the justice system, warns if any cut flows on to impact the courts, it could be a constitutional issue.

09:45 USA correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

Danielle discusses former President Donald Trump's scathing comments about NATO countries at a recent rally in South Carolina, which drew little surprise from the crowd. And President Joe Biden has hit back at a special counsel report which scrutinises his memory, and claims he can no longer remember major milestones from his life.

Danielle Kurtzleben is a political correspondent assigned to NPR's Washington Desk

10:05 Kiwi actor and Mulan star Yoson An tackles a modern love story

Last year Yoson An was on the big screen, strapped in a cockpit next to Gerard Butler trying to prevent a passenger jet crashing into a Philippine island overrun by murderous rebels. That was in the action thriller Plane. Kiwi audiences may know him as Jackson in the locally-made comedy Creamerie or Sook Yongsheng in the 19th century gold-rush mystery The Luminaries. The Chinese-born Kiwi actor has a new show out today on Prime Video called Five Blind Dates, in which he plays love-interest Richard. Yoson's no stranger to playing a heart-throb, he had audiences swooning over his role of Chen Honghui in Disney's blockbuster Mulan. Usually based in LA, he's back home in Tamaki Makaurau for the summer and joins Kathryn to talk about his career, life in Hollywood and whether he'd ever go on a blind date.

10:35 Book review: Masquerade: The Lives of Noel Coward by Oliver Soden     

10:45 Around the motu: Lauren Crimp in Napier

One year on from Cyclone Gabrielle's devastating effect on Hawkes Bay, Lauren examines where recovery is at, how people are coping and some of the sticking points. While some growers lost everything, and face losing their  businesses, there's optimism from others who have fruit on their trees. Lauren also explains why Conservationist Kay Griffiths is calling the district "bat central", with a colony of long-tailed bats found roosting in a farm shed roof in Central Hawke's Bay.

11:05 Business commentator Victoria Young

Activist and Iwi leader Mike Smith has been given the go-ahead to sue seven New Zealand companies for climate-related damage. Victoria discusses what it means for the corporates involved, and what a trial will likely entail. And the major electricity companies have been put on notice by regulators that they may be in breach of competition law. The Commerce Commission did not accept a complaint made last year from a group of independent retailers, however internal documents show investigating officials did believe there could be a case to answer.

Victoria Young is BusinessDesk's investigations editor.

11:30 University of Auckland: gardening with past, present and future in mind

The cultural, historical, environmental and educational significance of the plants and trees gracing the University of Auckland's campuses is explained by Jason Fell. He's the University's Horticulturist Team Leader and talks to Kathryn about the planning, planting and maintaining of trees and plants across different sites. The City campus alone has more than 400 trees.

11:45 Sports-chat with Sam Ackerman

Sam unpacks all of the action from the Superbowl after the Kansas City Chiefs go back-to-back as NFL champions. Andas always, the event came with a healthy dose of drama, and celebrity gossip, on the side. Sam also looks at the favourites for tomorrow's Halberg Awards - in particular, the coveted Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year titles.