Afternoons for Tuesday 29 October 2019

1:10 First song: David Kilgour

Dunedin indie rock singer songwriter David Kilgour released his 11th Album Bobbie's a Girl late last month. To celebrate and to showcase the album he's taking it on tour with his band the Heavy Eights. He's popping into our Wellington studio to play a track and tell us more. Remaining tour details are here.

1:17 Testing for concussions on the sports field

A quick and accurate sideline concussion test is a step closer thanks to a team of scientists and clinicians here. 

This could also be used in other instances where a person has suffered a blow to their head. 

Dion Sheppard, Forensic Research and Development Programme Manager at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, tells us more about what's being looked at and how long it will take. 

 

1:27 Push for a drug court in Hamilton

There's been discussions recently over whether to establish drug courts across the country, to focus on the addiction behind the crimes. 

The push is particularly strong in Hamilton with a hui on the matter earlier this month. 

Stephen King is one of those backing the idea. He's a former addict who has been in recovery for 27 years, is now the executive director of the Alcohol and Drug Community Support trust. Stephen's here to tell us why drug courts can help people break the cycle of offending.

1:35 Petition to ban e-scooters from footpaths

A coalition of pedestrians and disability groups have come together, calling for e-scooters to be banned from footpaths.

A petition was launched by the Footpaths4Feet Coalition, who say allowing motorised vehicles on the footpaths will result in more injuries and fewer people walking. 

Dr Chris Teo-Sherrell is the spokesperson for the coalition and is here to explain the problem.

 

1:50 He Kākano Ahau: Finding space to be Māori In Ōtautahi

The urban migration of Māori has been described as one of the most rapid movements of any population in the world. But in a strange new and isolating city, what does it take to maintain a hold on to your sense of identity.

All episodes in the He Kākano Ahau series are here

 

2:10 Book Critic: Claire Mabey

Claire reviews Lawrence Patchett's The Burning River, touches on the Booker controversy and talks about some of the highlights you can expect at Verb Wellington next week. 

2:20 What's the buzz with guitar solos?

The guitar solo is the bit in the song where musicians - especially guitarists - tend to get pretty excited but, can a person who doesn't play guitar also enjoy a great guitar solo? Simon Sweetman thinks so. He's here to talk about some of his favourite guitar solos and see if he can get you excited too!

3:10 Can you live without digital in the digital age?

Disconnection is sometimes the best path to real connection. So many aspects of Professor Robert Hassan’s life revolve around digital media. He is Professor of Media and Communications at the University of Melbourne who teaches students about how the internet intersects with our lives. To understand the ever growing impact of media, he walked away from it and on to a container ship for 5 weeks of technology detox. He shares what he learned about living in the digital age by living without it. His new book is called Uncontained: Digital disconnection and the experience of time. 

3:30 Spoken Feature: Elemental Neodymium.

RNZ's Elemental podcast is celebrating one hundred and fifty years of the periodic table of elements. Science producer Alison Ballance and chemistry professor Allan Blackman look today at Neodymium.

Neodymium is the secret behind supermagnets. These magnets include the strongest permanent magnets known and are found in devices like speakers & headphones, says chemistry professor Allan Blackman from AUT
 

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

4:05 The Panel with Golnaz Bassam-Tabar and Michael Moynahan