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Afternoons for Tuesday 26 July 2016

1:10 First song

1:15 Predator Free NZ:  Is it feasible?

The government has announced it is joining the bold vision for a predator free country by 2050.  It will invest $28m over four years into projects that will remove rats, stoats and possums from around a million hectares of land and will contribute $1 for every $2 invested by councils and private groups.

But how realistic is it, and is the money promised going to be enough?

Our regular economics commentator, Geoff Simmons of the Morgan Foundation crunches the numbers.

From left to right, a stoat, rat, and possum.

Photo: 123RF

1:25 Simon Marks at the Democrat Convention

We cross live to correspondent, Simon Marks at the Democrats Convention in Philadelphia

Boos erupted as Bernie Sanders called on his supporters to back Hillary Clinton, at the Democrat National Convention.

Boos erupted as Bernie Sanders called on his supporters to back Hillary Clinton, at the Democrat National Convention. Photo: AFP

1:35 Dan Slevin on movies about US political conventions

Production still from The Manchurian Candidate, 1962

Production still from "The Best Man" 1964

The Best Man 1964

2015 Documentary, Best of Enemies

The Manchurian Candidate - 1962

HBO Tv series, Tanner '88

With the Democratic Party's convention starting today and much of the world still reeling from the drama and comedy of the Republican event last week, Dan Slevin looks at how these uniquely American institutions have been represented on film.

1:40 Favourite album

2:10 Controlling predators without fences

Under the Government's plan for a predator free New Zealand by 2050 is that by 2025 we have the ability to clear a 20 thousand hectare area of predators without needing protective fences.

We speak to the team behind a predator research enclosure which is conducting trials on new ways of eradicating pests, including using scent as a lure

The Principle Scientist from Zero Invasive Predators, or ZIP, is Dr Elaine Murphy .

Dr Elaine Murphy with some of the stoat bedding being used as a lure.

Dr Elaine Murphy with some of the stoat bedding being used as a lure. Photo: RNZ / Conan Young

2:20 Books with Pip Adam

2:30 Great New Zealand Album: Traction by Supergroove

Supergroove - Traction

Supergroove - Traction Photo: supplied

Supergroove were a massive home grown success story when the rock band came out and hit number one with their debut album Traction in 1994.

Consisting of seven band members the group was known for their dynamic live performances. They went their separate ways in 1997.

To talk about Traction and his favourite songs from it, Supergroove lead singer Karl Stevens joins Jesse in the Auckland studio

3:10 The House that Jack Ma Built

There was a time when one of the richest men in China couldn't even get a job at Kentucky fried chicken.  'Jack' Ma also failed his university exam, twice.  But failure is often the fuel for entrepreneurs and it propelled ma to set up his own business.  

Alibaba is now a multi billion dollar e-commerce company.  

Beijing based investment banker Duncan Clark has watched Ma's rise firsthand. His new book is called Alibaba: The house that Jack Ma Built.

It's not just the story of one man's accomplishments, it is the story of entrepreneurship and the silicon valley of China

3:30 Science and environment stories

Stories from Our Changing World.

3:45 The Panel Pre-Show