Nine To Noon for Tuesday 1 July 2025

09:05 The complex task of establishing fitness to stand trial

On 16 March 2020 the District Court in Auckland had its first sitting of a court dedicated exclusively to cases where issues of fitness to stand trial or insanity had been raised, and a second such court is poised to open in Gisborne in the new year. The Criminal Procedure Mentally Impaired Persons Court was co-founded by Judges Pippa Sinclair and Clare Ryan and convenes fortnightly to determine whether a criminal defendant is fit to stand trial. The court's  genesis lies in the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act of 2003, which outlines options for defendants found unfit or legally insane. These options include detention as a special patient or immediate release. The court handles cases involving defendants with severe mental health issues, such as delusions and hallucinations, and seeks to ensure they receive appropriate care and support. But the process is far from straightforward. Last year 185 people, charged with 729 offences were deemed unfit to stand trial. Judge Pippa Sinclair discusses with Kathryn Ryan. 

09:20 New recycling rules one year on 

It's now been more than a year since legislation aligned recycling rules for most of the country, but how has that gone? The changes meant only plastics numbered 1, 2 and 5 would be collected by kerbside recyclers and that all lids would have to be removed and put in the rubbish. At the time of the change in February last year, 16 per cent of items in recycling bins was typically not able to be recycled and were contaminating bins. The alignment was for all councils with kerbside recycling to follow the same rules, as previously they differed per region. So how much of our plastic is still being bundled off to buyers overseas? The Ministry for the Environment's general manager of waste systems and operations Shaun Lewis. 

09:30  Underfunded: fighting the invasive seaweed, undaria, in Fiordland

Fiordland is known for its stunning natural beauty - a magnet for visitors - but not all are welcome. Undaria, a species of invasive seaweed, has made itself at home in both Dusky and Breaksea Sounds. While efforts have been made to contain and eradicate the pest, budget constraints mean the local council can no longer continue with large scale containment efforts. Undaria is spread by attaching itself to the hulls of vessels so the plan now is to focus on eradicating new infestations at anchorage and mooring sites. Kathryn McLachlan, Marine Team Leader for Environment Southland talks to Kathryn Ryan about the challenge ahead and what it could mean for the future of this unique national park.

09:45 US correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben

The latest from the One Big Beautiful Bill being voted on in the Senate, while the Supreme Court delivers a win for Trump on birthright citizenship, with the ability of federal courts to issue injunctions limted. Meanwhile, the President says he's suspending trade talks with Canada.     

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

10:05 Former war surgeon finds solace and tranquillity in wild trout fishing 

Robin Coupland worked as a frontline field surgeon between 1989 and 1996 in Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Angola, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan - where he witnessed horrific injuries resulting from conflict. Once his working stints in surgical wards, often under bombardment, were over, he would migrate to either New Zealand or Scotland - depending on the time of year - and embark on fly fishing adventures. His story is now captured in Dry Flies & Wet Socks, which is a story of how this time honoured past-time provides a sense of peace and happiness. Author Robin Coupland speaks to Kathryn from North Berwick in Scotland. 

10:35 Book review: 2024 by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf

David Hill reviews 2024 by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, published by Penguin Random House

10:45 Around the motu: Jared McCulloch in Queenstown

After a High Court ruled Queenstown’s previous freedom camping bylaw was invalid, the council’s returned to the drawing board to come up with a new plan, there are now at least two competitors in town eyeing up a gondola-style public transport network, and historic landfills dotted around the country have been quite an issue, both environmental and costly, DOC has been working to remove a local dump in Milford Sound - Piopiotahi.

Jared McCulloch is a 1 News reporter in Queenstown.

11:05 Business correspondent Dan Brunskill

New Zealand's trade relationship with China remains safe until a decision is made about Aukus II. But Chinese consumer confidence is low, and New Zealand exports to its biggest export market are flatlining. Dan reports from his trip observing the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in China. There's also a proposal from IRD to lift GST, while lowering PAYE for low-income earners and latest from the just-released business optimism survey.

Dan Brunskill is an economic policy reporter for Interest NZ

11:25 Does New Zealand need a common will repository?

One of the most common queries the Citizens' Advice Bureau fields is to do with death and dying. More than 6000 enquiries about this topic were made to the CAB in 2023 - many over what to do if someone dies intestate - without a will - and the consequent impacts of that. Also of concern, setting up Enduring Power of Attorney and how to manage funeral costs. The organisation's Deputy Chief Executive is Andrew Hubbard, and he joins Kathryn to talk about why New Zealand needs a common will repository and a publicly funded service for wills and setting up EPAs.

11:45 Sport with Joe Porter 

Liam Lawson finishes 6th at the Austrian Grand Prix, the best of the Red Bull-aligned racers. The latest from Wimbeldon as Kiwi Lulu Sun fails to repeat last years heroics and the Warriors lose again in rugby league's NRL. The latest from the All Blacks squad, with one selection already departing to get surgery after playing the Super Rugby final.