Afternoons for Thursday 13 July 2017

Today we talk about Black Milk by Tina Makereti - and we’ll be giving away a copy of Black Marks on the White Page, a new anthology of short stories by Maori and Pasifika writers released by Penguin Randomhouse this month. So be sure to read it and email us your thoughts to be in to win, Jesse@radionz.co.nz

1:10 In Session: Aldous Harding

The world is taking notice of New Zealand singer Aldous Harding. Aldous has spent the past year playing sell-out shows to crowds around the globe - including tours of the US and European festival slots - Green Man and Iceland Airwaves to name a couple. Her latest album, Party, was named in the 20 must-hear albums for 2017 on BBC. And she's just announced a nationwide New Zealand tour.

1:20 Donald Trump Jr's Russia Emails

The White House is in turmoil again, after Donald Trump Jr released a series of emails showing he was prepared to meet with a Russian lawyer, in exchange for information to incriminate Hillary Clinton during the election campaign. Senator Tim Kaine, says the actions go beyond collusion with a hostile foreign government. And says it's beyond obstruction of justice moving into perjury, or even treason. Professor Azizian has worked for both American and Russian administrations and has wide-ranging experience in international relations and diplomacy. He's now the director of Massey University's Centre for Defence and Security Studies.

1:30 Can Spiders Really Count?

It's a jumping spider called Portia, and it can count. The tiny spider has a brain that could fit on a pinhead, and apparently it counts its prey. Dr Fiona Cross and Emeritus Professor Robert Jackson, are both from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury. And they've published a paper on the critter that was the cover for a new Royal Society special issue of Interface Focus. Fiona spends six months a year in Kenya but she's back at home in New Zealand.

1:40 Great Album: ZZ Top - Eliminator

Eliminator is the eighth studio album from American rock band ZZ Top and was released in March 1983. 

Eliminator is ZZ Top's most commercially successful release, reaching number four in the NZ album chart and achieving sales of over 10 million copies in the United States. 

Influenced by new wave, Eliminator′s tracks were recorded with a combination of the synthesizer, drum machine and sequencer.

2:10 Theatre Critic; John Smythe

John reviews two shows at Circa theatre,  Weed and Destination Beehive

2:20 Money with Mary Holm

Today Mary discusses how people have done in the first 10 years of KiwiSaver, and answers more listener KiwiSaver questions.

Mary is hosting a public seminar in Wellington, called Making the Most of Your Money on Tuesday 8 August, details on her website

3:10 Short Story Club 13th July

Today we talk about Black Milk by Tina Makereti - and we’ll be giving away a copy of Black Marks on the White Page, a new anthology of short stories by Maori and Pasifika writers released by Penguin Randomhouse this month. So be sure to read it and email us your thoughts to be in to win, Jesse@radionz.co.nz

and next week's story is John Summers' non-fiction short story 'Real Life'

3:25 Tell me about your thesis

Today Natalie Schiller tells us about her thesis, titled Critical reflections on the intricacies of female body image through deconstructing pole dance with the symbol of a cross

3:30 BBC Witness

3:45 The Pre-Panel Story of the Day and One Quick Question

4:05 The Panel with Niki Bezzant and Rob Hosking, With Ali Jones hosting