Afternoons for Friday 23 November 2018

1:10 First song

1:15 Swapping uni for an apprenticeship

There's lots of discussion about what is better in the long run - university or a trade?

Caleb Orotaunga had to make that decision, continue with an expensive Engineering degree or go the apprentice route. 

He chose the latter and three years later, he's just been named ATNZ's Apprentice of the Year. The maintenance engineer joins us now to talk about his choice and his win.

1:20 Should councils in the Waikato amalgamate? 

Auckland's move to become a supercity wasn't without criticism, but it now has 20 councillors representing its 1.7 million people. 

The Waikato Region has 136 elected councillors and just over 537,000 people. A business leader there thinks that doesn't match up and has called for the region's 12 councils to amalgamate. 

Mayors aren't happy with the proposal though. 

Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Chris Simpson joins us now to tell us why he's focused on this idea.

1:25 Sending medical equipment to those in need

The NZI Sustainable Business Awards were held last night and there were a range of women who picked up awards.

One of them was Janette Searle, managing trustee of Take My Hands, which improves health care in the Pacific while reducing waste here in New Zealand.

Instead of usable medical equipment heading to the landfill, it's picked up by the organisation and shipped to the Islands for those in need. Janette is in studio with me to tell us more about her work.

1:35 Christmas Trees made from bamboo and driftwood

It's maybe a bit early for this next story but it's a fun idea - Christmas Trees but not as you've seen before.

Instead of an actual tree, or a plastic facsimile, Auckland art student Oliver Cain makes the holiday stalwarts from alternative materials; he's used driftwood, cardboard, and this year made a huge 5 metre tall tree out of bamboo. 

He's here to tell us about the pieces and why he does them!

1:40 Great album

2:10 Film Review with Richard Swainson

Richard reviews Widows and The Old Man & the Gun

2:20 NZ Live - Latinaotearoa!

This week's band fuses South American beats and Spanish vocals with classic Kiwi roots vibes.

Brazilian-born Bobby Brazuka and Venezuelan singer Jennifer Zea - with a little help from their friends - are Latinaotearoa.

They've just released their third album, Influencis et Collabis  - and they're going on tour to promote it!

The band joins us in the Auckland studio.

3:10 Ganesh Raj's Whenuapai Trifle

The Tasting Shed in Auckland has created a special mini-menu for the North West Wine, Beer & Food Festival 2019 l to showcase local ingredients, including their Whenuapai Trifle.

Ganesh Raj from the Tasting Shed joins us in the studio to talk through his amazing trifle.

3:20 Talk the Walk

3:25 Critter of the Week - Maitai Cave Snail - Hadopyrgus ngataana

This fresh water snail is endemic to NZ. In fact it's endemic to the Maitai Cave in Maitai Valley in Nelson. It was discovered by Frank Climo and then Martin Haase and Christina Mosimann distinguished it from other species in 2001.

DoC's Threatened Species Ambassador Nicola Toki tells us all about this remarkable and very rare snail.

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

4:05 The Panel with Michele A'Court and Neil Miller