Nine To Noon for Friday 20 February 2026

09:05 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest latest

Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. It is the first time a senior member of the Royal family has been arrested and taken into custody since Charles the First in the seventeenth century. King Charles did not respond to questions about the arrest - but earlier released a statement saying the 'law must take its course'. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he is now known, was detained on suspicion of misconduct while acting as a UK trade envoy. The BBC World Service's Rob Watson updates Kathryn on the situation. 

09:10 Identifying the victims of a crackdown on anti-government protesters in Iran

A facewall of those killed in anti-government protests is the first confirmed reporting of the victims of the crackdown inside a heavily censored Iran. Iranians this week began commemorating the end of a traditional 40-day mourning period for the thousands killed during protests. Authorities have reportedly moved quickly to quash demonstrations to mark the occasion and the resurgence of anti-government sentiment. But as global pressure grows and tens of thousands of people take to the streets in protest in Munich, Toronto and beyond, little is known about what is actually happening inside Iran. At the height of domestic protests, the Iranian government shut down the internet and phone lines, that along with a continued crackdown on social media makes establishing facts very difficult. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says more than 7-thousand people have been killed in the past month and a half, while the Iranian government puts the death toll at more than 3-thousand. One reporting team working to get details out is the BBC's Persia service, they've identified 2-hundred of the victims and are working on a face wall of those confirmed dead. Roja Assadi, is the assistant editor of the BBC News Persian Forensic Team. She told me the protests have settled down a little but haven't stopped completely.

09:25 New Zealand advocate for people with endometriosis given global award

Endometriosis campaigner Deborah Bush has been given a global award recognising her work advocating for people with the condition. The Global Health & Pharma publication named Deborah as Most Pioneering Women's Health Expert in its 2025 Women's Health Awards last month. They said her Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Coaching was a 'unique, effective and innovative' patient centred approach to endometriosis care. Deborah was a co-founder of the Endometriosis New Zealand charity and now works as a coach and consultant. The Ministry of Health estimates one in ten people suffer from endometriosis the symptoms of of which include pelvic pain, bowel problems, painful intercourse, sub-fertility or infertility, and abnormal menstrual bleeding. 

09:40 A new podcast looks at the resistance and spirit of contemporary Māori art

 A new RNZ podcast will look at key moments in the evolution of contemporary Māori art. Beginning with the formation of the Ngā  Puna  Waihanga collective in 1973, Pūtātara: Revolutions in  Māori Art, considers the wairua and resistance of art. Matariki Williams hosts the six-episode and says listeners will hear from leading figures in toi Māori. 

10:05 Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins

Fiji's former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama on bail after being charged with inciting mutiny, concerns about Pacific nations dependence on temporary work schemes, and Vanuatu vows to push ahead with its UN resolution on the International Court of Justice's climate opinion.

10:10 What makes word games like Wordle so popular? 

The New York Times has grown its newsroom over the last decade, while others are dwindling or disappearing altogether. Wordle is just one of The New York Times' 11 games it currently offers which were played a collective 11.2 billion times last year. But why are they so popular? Have the subscriptions off the back of Wordle helped reporters to do their jobs? After recently launching Crossplay, what's next for the paper's games division? Why are word games so popular? Jonathan Knight, General Manager at New York Times Games, talks to Kathryn. 

10:35 Book review: Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy

Eden Denyer of Unity Books Wellington reviews Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy, published by HarperCollins.

10:45 Around the motu: Mike Tweed - a Multimedia Journalist for the Whanganui Chronicle 

The fight to save a Whanganui post shop, infamous office building given heritage protection and the choir in search of new singers.

11:05 New music with Grant Smithies

Auckland band Wax Eye had just released its second EP of gorgeous, mesmerizing drone-folk. We’ll hear two key tracks from that today, followed by new music from Fazed On A Pony and a dusty Afro-funk classic from Nigerian bandleader Tunji Oyelana.

11:25 Friday funnies: Michele A'Court and Te Radar

Feud over whether Aussie or New Zealand milk tastes better, underwear to track a wearer's farts and a roundabout hack that has opinion divided. 

11:45 Winter Olympics, Sail GP, and Netball NZ 

Heading into the final weekend of the Winter Olympics - where does this Games rank for New Zealand? Who have been the stand-outs? Who are the remaining medal chances? 

Sports news with RNZ's Dana Johannsen.