Nine To Noon

09:05 Councils need more revenue options amid double-digit rates rises

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. 

09:30  Youth bearing the brunt of rising unemployment

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.

09:35 Is AgriZero NZs making progress towards it's ambitious 2030 methane reduction goals?

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.

09:45 Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney

European students are joining a wave of mostly peaceful university protests against Israel's war in Gaza. Sweden is tightening up security with tens of thousands of visitors expected for this year's Eurovision contest. There's been a spate of assaults on politicians in Germany ahead of the EU elections in Dresden next month. And bakers in France have reclaimed the world record for the longest baguette, which was snatched by Italy five years ago.

10:05 Musician, poet and skit queen Elle Cordova

You may not know her name but if you spend time online there's a high chance you've come across one of her hilarious skits on your travels. Elle Cordova is a comedian, musician, poet, and video creator in Los Angeles. She has almost one million followers on Instagram and is currently working on a new album with her creative partner Toni Lindgren. She spoke to Kathryn from her home in LA.

10:35 Book review: Ash by Louise Wallace 

Louise Ward of Wardini Books reviews Ash by Louise Wallace published by Te Herenga Waka University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Kelly Makiha in Rotorua

The search for a bone marrow donor for a gravely ill Rotorua boy and how the Maori and Pasifika population may be able to help. Popular restaurant Urbano Bistro has reopened after a car ploughed through the front doors, severely injuring one of the diners. New units at a Kainga Ora site are not being welcomed by some Rotorua residents who claim they look like shipping containers. And Kelly touches on the speech Rotorua Boys High head boy made at the ANZAC Day civic service.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist with the Rotorua Daily Post

11:05 Political commentators Sue Bradford & Liam Hehir

Sue Bradford and Liam Hehir discuss the allegations of inappropriate behaviour surfacing against Green MP Julie Anne Genter, following her outburst in the House - and the party's response. And the still unresolved question of New Zealand's participation in AUKUS Pillar Two.

Sue Bradford is a community-based activist and former Green MP.

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

11:30 Big chocolate is coming for artisanal cacao supplies

The price of cocoa - the raw ingredient in chocolate - has trebled in the last twelve months. This is being driven by lower supply from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Together they make up 60% of global cocoa production. Prior low prices, ageing trees, extreme weather and fungal infections are to blame. As a result industrial chocolate producers are turning to small artisanal cacao suppliers to help meet demand. To find out what's going on, and what effect it's having on the price we pay for chocolate Kathryn Ryan is joined by Foundry Chocolate owner David Herrick.

11:45 Urban Issues with Bill McKay

What would you do if your local council or the Government asked to buy your house? It happened to Bill McKay recently, under the Public Works Act. Today Bill looks at how the Act works, what an owner's rights are, and how much compensation they may be entitled to.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.