Afternoons for Friday 14 September 2018

1:10 First song: Rockquest finalists, The Subs

Performing live from our Christchurch studio, The Subs are from Christs College, and will be competing in the finals of the Smokefree Rockquest on the 21st of September

1:15 Engineering in New Zealand

It's not just builders we're lacking in New Zealand, we're also short of engineers. 

We're lagging behind other OECD nations in numbers of engineers, and within the industry there's also a need for more women, Māori, and Pasifika. 

To discuss why there's a shortage, and why we even need engineers, is Chief Executive of Engineering New Zealand Susan Freeman-Greene. She's a finalist at next weeks Women of Influence awards. 

1:25 My Te Reo journey

The Kohanga Reo movement didn't begin until 1982 - so unless te reo was spoken at home, many Maori born in the 70's and earlier got few opportunities to learn the language

RNZ's Maori Strategy Manager, Shannon Haunui-Thompson wasn't able to start learning until high school. 

She tells us about out her own te reo journey and the effort it takes to remain fluent in a world where most people speak english. 

1:35 A circus celebrating air 

Massive balloons, a giant snow globe, and huge kites - that's what's being promised in a new circus show coming to town.

Air Play is just that, a show all about the air we breathe and they way we play with it. 

It's been created by husband and wife duo Christina Gleeson and Seth Bloom, who tell us about designing the performance. 

1:40 Great album

2:10 Film Review with Richard Swainson

Richard reviews Juliet, Naked and McKellen: Playing the Part

2:20 NZ Live - The Warratahs

One of the grand old mainstays of New Zealand music this year celebrates 30 years since their first album was released.

And to mark the occasion, they've released a compilation - Drivin' Wheels - and, true to form, are embarking on a nationwide tour.

The band joins us in the Wellington studio to talk about music, years gone by, life on the road, and to play some pared-back, acoustic versions of their most beloved tunes.

3:10 Food: Julie Biuso on dates

Julie Biuso says dates, date syrup which she says is a great alternative for refined sugar. She also shares her recipe for Eggplant and Date Salad

3:20 Talk the Walk: The Wilkin-Young in Central Otago

Heather Pennycook tells us about the Wilkin-Young, a 3 day walk that starts at Makarora, north of Wanaka.

3:25 Critter of the Week The Mt Allen buttercup

Numbering fewer individuals than the kakapo it used to share habitat with, the Mt Allen buttercup grows only on the slopes of….Mt Allen; part of the Tin Range in Rakiura/Stewart Island and regarded as one of the most inhospitable places in all of Aotearoa. 

DOC’s Threatened Species Ambassador, Nicola Toki, tells us about this fussy little plant.

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

4:05 The Panel with Mihingarangi Forbes and Andrew Clay