Afternoons for Friday 15 March 2019

1:10 First song: Alejandro Escovedo and Adam McGrath

Alejandro Escovedo is well known in the Texan music scene as a song writer and performer. He's released 11 solo albums and his songs have been recorded by the likes of Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Ryan Adams, Cowboy Junkies, and Calexico. Alejandro is joined by The Eastern's Adam McGrath for a taste of what's in store in Alejandro's first tour of New Zealand.

1:15 Student climate change protest

Students across the country are taking to the streets today as a part of a worldwide protest against climate change.

They're missing school to urge the Government to do more, but there's been a lot of negative reaction to the move. Many say it's a waste of class time, National MP Judith Collins said it's "not going to help the world one bit".

But some support the march. Elspeth Tilley is an Associate Professor in Expressive Arts at Massey University. She teaches creative activism and believes we should encourage young people to challenge norms and ask questions. She joins us to explain why it's important. 

1:25 Why this mum became a tradie

We know we have a tradie shortage at the moment, and one of the areas that could address that is growing the number of women in jobs - at the moment only around 10 percent of apprentices are female. 

Hera Eruera is one of those women. She was a stay-at-home mum when she decided she needed a job to support her family. 

She was the only woman in her plumbing course, but is now an apprentice.  

1:35 Sleeping well when Daylight Saving ends

We all need it, some crave it constantly, others find it elusive. We're talking about sleep as it's World Sleep Day today.

In a few weeks time, Daylight saving will end, and as a country we'll descend into that weird fog of not knowing what time it is, and decrying the fact the sun has disappeared by dinnertime. 

So what does Daylight Saving (or it's ending) do to our Circadian rhythm? To answer that we're joined by sleep expert Dr Karyn O'Keeffe​, from Massey University. 

1:40 Great album

2:10 Film Review with Richard Swainson

Richard reviews If Beale Street Could Talk and Captain Marvel

2:20 NZ Live: Avalanche City

Dave Baxter finished his tour of New Zealand last night and today he's straight into the Auckland studio with Jesse to play songs from his latest album My Babylon. It's his third album and the first to come out under his own label The Guacamole Farm. Dave talks about the themes of the album and what it's like taking a baby on tour.

3:10 Food with Julie Biuso

We're changing season so today Julie will talk about what is best to use to make the most of the late summer produce and the start of autumn fruit.

She's also going to share a lovely recipe to use up any old bread you have, with the dish Pappa al Pomodoro, a Tuscan tomato and bread soup. You can get the full recipe here. 

3:20 Keeping your lawn pristine

Rupert Bool knows a lot about grass. He's seen a lot more of it than most of us, and takes it a whole lot more seriously than most of us. 

So, who better to talk to about doing your lawns this time of year, than Rupert, he's the head groundsman at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

3:25 Critter of the Week The Striped Skink

This week DoC's threatened species ambassador Nicola Toki tells us about a mysterious skink that lives it’s entire life in the canopy. The Striped skink rarely (if ever) comes down to the ground, and therefore is challenging to find and to protect.

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

4:05 The Panel with Betty Ofe-Grant and Neil Miller