Navigation for Station navigation

Featured stories

The cultural preservation of space junk

10:05 am today

Alice Gorman is an internationally renowned expert of space archeology. The Associate Professor has made a career of tracking human-made items in the cosmos, and studying their cultural significance. She lays claim to the first archaeological fieldwork to ever to take place outside of Earth, co-directing a study on how… Audio

 

 

Tuesday 19 March 2024

Available Audio (9)

On today’s show

09:05 Housing and RMA Minister Chris Bishop on his plans to shake-up sectors

Government Minister Chris Bishop holds some of the most important portfolios for the new administration
- namely housing, resource management and infrastructure. A cabinet paper accompanying a speech Chris Bishop gave on housing reforms states housing affordability is arguably the single most pressing economic, social and cultural problem facing this government. He says getting house prices down to three to five times household incomes would have a "transformative effect" on the New Zealand economy. His plan is to flood cities with infill, fringe, for more greenfields development. Bishop is one of three key ministers who will make the calls on what goes to an expert panel to have their resource consent application fast-tracked. The regime has come under criticism from iwi, environmentalists, scientists and interest groups - saying citizens will miss out on a fair say on major projects that could include mines, fish farms and hydro dams - as well as roads and building developments.

Housing, RMA Reform and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop.

Photo: RNZ

09:30 Carbon recycling company LanzaTech captures interest of several retail giants

A New Zealand company which recycles pollution into products like biofuel and packaging is capturing the attention of several retail giants. LanzaTech has developed a microbe which can convert carbon into ethanol. It employs more than 500 people, many from its headquarters in Chicago, and operates several plants across China, India and Europe, with several more in the works. Several big-name companies like Zara, Lululemon and Adidas now use the recycled carbon emissions in their products. LanzaTech co-founder and strategic advisor Dr Sean Simpson speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

Sean smiles at the camera. He is standing outside an office building. The window of the business says "OUTSET VENTURES - THE HOME OF DEEP TECHNOLOGY".

Sean Simpson is the founder of LanzaTech, the clean energy company now worth billions. He chairs Outset Ventures in Parnell. Photo: Sharon Brettkelly

09:45 USA correspondent Ron Elving

Former US President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump attends a 'Get Out the Vote' Rally in Conway, South Carolina, on 10 February, 2024.

Photo: Julia Nikhinson / AFP

Former president Donald Trump is hitting back at criticism he received for telling an Ohio rally there will be a "bloodbath for the country" if he is not reelected. And more primary elections are taking place this week, with wins expected for both Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Another government shutdown looms this weekend, as negotiations break down again over border security funding.

Ron Elving is Senior Editor and Correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News.

10:05 The cultural preservation of space junk

Photo: Brenton Edwards

Alice Gorman is an internationally renowned expert of space archaeology. The Associate Professor has made a career of tracking human-made items in the cosmos, and studying their cultural significance. She lays claim to the first archaeological fieldwork to ever to take place outside of Earth, co-directing a study on how astronauts interact with their surroundings at the International Space Station in 2022. She has contributed to international space policy and has authored a book on the topic: Dr Space Junk vs the Universe: Archaeology and the Future.

10:35 Book review: When I open the shop by Romesh Dissanayake 

Photo: Te Herenga Waka University Press

Kiran Dass reviews When I open the shop by Romesh Dissanayake published by Te Herenga Waka Univeristy Press

10:45 Around the motu: Peter de Graaf in Northland 

Repairing SH1 over the Brynderwyns

Photo: LDR / Northern Advocate / Waka Kotahi

With detours in place with the closure of State Highway One over the Brynderwyns. Peter looks at what the alternative journeys look like and the state of Northland roads. Also, what is happening in the Bay of Islands in the fight against Caulerpa, an exotic seaweed described as the world’s worst marine pest. And who landed the heaviest catch in Ninety Mile Beach’s Snapper Bonanza surfcasting contest.

RNZ Northland reporter Peter de Graaf based in Kerikeri.

11:05 Business commentator Rebecca Stevenson

Company liquidation concept. File and tabs with the words insolvency, creditors and debts. 3D illustration

Photo: 123RF

Rebecca looks at the high number of insolvencies last year, and what could be behind the collapses of retailers, promising startups, building companies and hospitality operators. Emerging data from February indicates that the trend might be continuing into this year too. And the first draft of the banking market study by the Commerce Commission will be released this week. The report will focus on the dynamic between the interest rates charged for lending, and interest rates paid for deposits. 

Rebecca Stevenson is a senior journalist at BusinessDesk.

11:30 Imposter syndrome and strategies to deal with it

bookcover

Photo: supplied by Upstart Press

People of all ages and stages can be affected by imposter syndrome and worried that they don't measure up. That little voice that might tell you you are not enough. Bex Bell has a PhD in Criminal Psychology and has always been fascinated by the human condition. She is the founder of Remix Coaching and Consulting which includes working with people from all walks of life to optimise their potential. Part of that is finding practical solutions to deal with doubt. Her own struggles with the relentless mental chatter, making her second guess her ability, has lead to her addressing the issues in a book, Inner Critic to Inner Coach. Dr Bell shares some strategies to safeguard against self sabotage.

11:45 Sports correspondent Marc Hinton