Afternoons for Thursday 20 July 2023

1:15 Unlocking the secrets our DNA holds

Patients will have more certainty around genetic test diagnoses, thanks to research led by Otago University.

The hope is that we can use genetic testing to intervene early and prevent some genetic diseases like cancer. 

Associate Professor Logan Walker is from the University of Otago, Christchurch's, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, and was a leading member with 8 international researchers.

1:25 Ministry confirms plans for Eskdale school following uncertainty

Life in Eskdale has been wracked with uncertainty since the Cyclone Gabrielle floods - but the school community has rallied together.

Yesterday afternoon the Ministry of Education reversed a decision to downsize the school's rebuild which was originally approved in 2019.

Danelle Kendrick is parent at Eskdale School, her family lost their house but are still taking their two school-age children out to Eskdale everyday. We wanted to know how it's been for them. She speaks to Jesse.

1:35 Carterton's own 'Stonehenge'

You've probably heard of Stonehenge, but have you heard of Caterton's Stonehenge Aotearoa?

The original Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument believed to have been built from around 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The stone circle is pointed toward the summer solstice. Researchers believe it was used as an astronomical observatory or religious site.

So what do we get out of a New Zealand version?

Richard Hall's the founder of the our own 'stonehenge', he talks to Jesse.

1:45 Great album: Orpheus Descending

Today's link three winner will get a vinyl copy of John Mellencamp's latest album Orpheus Descending.

It's his 25th full-length studio album recorded at his own Belmont Mall Studio focusing on social issues.

2:10 Music Critic: Colin Morris

Today Colin talks to Jesse about new music from The Teskey Brothers and what he calls a hidden gem by Solomon Burke, an American singer who is hailed as one of the founding fathers of soul music of the 60s.

2:25 NZ Sporting History: Eric Murray

Today on NZ Sporting History we speak to one half of one of our most successful Olympic teams.

Along with Hamish Bond, Eric Murray won back-to-back gold medals in the men's coxless pair rowing events at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

By the time of the final whistle in 2016, the pair had amassed a streak of 69 race wins, which included six world championship titles to boot.

As a result they won team of the year at the Halberg Sports Awards three times and took out the supreme award twice.

Eric Murray is our guest on NZ Sporting history today.

3:10 Link 3

3:15 Your Money with Mary Holm

Today Mary talks about options with mortgage repayments and options when you need to renew at a higher interest rate.

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness

In 1999, Japanese software developer Shigetaka Kurita created the first emoji. The umbrella was one of 176 original images, featuring weather, transport signs, numbers and emotions. He was inspired after noticing the popularity of a pager, aimed at teenagers, that used a heart symbol. The idea took off. Today, more than 10 billion emoji are sent by people across the world every day. Shigetaka told Jane Wilkinson of his pride in the creation.

3:45 The Panel with Sarah Sparks and Simon Wilson