Nine To Noon

Roger Brooking, an experienced alcohol and drug counsellor, discusses the critical gap in rehabilitation options for criminals due to a lack of specialist assessments. He highlights how only a fraction of eligible defendants receive necessary reports that detail their addiction history. Brooking points out the disparities in funding and accessibility of assessments, particularly affecting marginalized communities. He stresses the need for comprehensive evaluations that connect addiction with mental health to improve treatment and rehabilitative efforts in the justice system.

Dave Arnath, a tax barrister with expertise in student loans, tackles the financial plight of New Zealanders living abroad. He reveals how escalating penalties and high interest rates complicate loan repayments for borrowers overseas. Arnath discusses the potential for penalty remission, emphasizing the need for compassion in repayment frameworks. The conversation also highlights the economic impact of rising rates on returning entrepreneurs, calling for flexible policy solutions to support these Kiwis while balancing taxpayer interests.

Sports correspondent Glen Larmer.

CEO of Consumer NZ, Jon Duffy joins Kathryn to detail some wins the organisation has had with the Commerce Commission over some issues it's raised

Maria Slade is BusinessDesk's Property Editor.

Simon discusses the latest events in Auckland including a stormy Easter, some big transport announcements to come, and the Writer's Festival is coming up

Sonja de Friez reviews A Thousand Threads by Neneh Cherry published by Penguin

With the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88, the world's attention now turns to who will replace him

Twenty-five years after their peacekeeping tour of duty in East Timor, Kiwi military veterans returned to visit the place and people among whom they worked

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