Nine To Noon for Friday 2 October 2015
09:05 Science funding under the microscope
For the first time in New Zealand economists have carried out a detailed study of the effectiveness of science funding. The non-profit research organisation, Motu, says its research suggests the final selection process of the Marsden Fund is no better than a lottery. Nine to Noon speaks to the director of Motu, Adam Jaffe, as well as the chair of the Marsden Fund council, Juliet Gerrard and the president of the Association of Scientists, Nicola Gaston.
09:35 Hungary defends border policy
Hungary is defending a move to close off yet another border to prevent desperate migrants from crossing through on their way to Northern Europe. It has already divided opinion across Europe by building a fence along its border with Serbia, one of the main overland entry points into Europe's border-free Schengen zone. It is now looking to close off a second border with Croatia. Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Zovacs says while the fence is ugly and undesirable there is no other option
09:40 Sergeant Colin Taylor of the Isles of Scilly, who may be Britain's funniest police officer
Sergeant Colin Taylor leads a small police team on the isles of Scilly, an archipeligo 45 kilometres off the coast of Cornwall, with just over 2-thousand residents. Thanks to Colin Taylor's amusing Facebook and Twitter postings about life and work on the islands, the Scilly Island police force has gained a worldwide following.
Isles of Scilly Facebook post Photo: Isles of Scilly Police
09:45 Pacific Correspondent, Mike Field
10:05 Brian Hanley - can gene therapy potentially extend the human life span?
Brian Hanley is the founder of Butterfly Sciences, a company developing gene therapies for aging. He says while humans are designed by evolution to age, longer lifespans could be on the way thanks to new gene therapies. Brian Hanley says if scientists can reset mitochondria genes and restart the thymus then humans will be able to live much longer than they already do. But there are serious barriers both in theory and practice.
10:30 Book review: The Blue Guitar by John Banville
Reviewed by Kiran Dass, published by Viking
10:45 The Reading: Speed Of Light by Joy Cowley read by Simon Leary (Part 5 of 10)
11:05 New Music with Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor renews his love affair with the music of New Order, is suitable impressed with Tami Neilson's follow up to 'Dynamite', and finds at least some joy in the grab-bag that is Keith Richards' third solo album.
Artist: New Order
Song: Restless, Track 1
Comp: New Order
Album: Music Complete
Label: Mute
Broadcast Time: 5'28"
Song: Superheated, Track 11
Comp: New Order/ Brandon Flowers
Album: Music Complete
Label: Mute
Broadcast Time: 5'05"
- comeback album from the band formed in 1980 in the wake of the death of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis - their first without founding member, bassist Peter Hook, although keyboardist Gillian Gilbert returns. The usual grab bag of the sublime and the truly ridiculous, and some clonking lyrics, but a handful of songs that are vintage NO.
Artist: Tami Neilson
Song: Holy Moses, Track 2
Comp: Tami Neilson
Album: Don't Be Afraid
Label: Southbound
Broadcast Time: 3'12"
Song: Bury My Body, Track 6
Comp: Tami Neilson
Album: Don't Be Afraid
Label: Southbound
Broadcast Time: 3'19"
- fourth album from expat Canadian, now cherished NZer Tami Neilson, following on from 2014's "Dynamite!", with its' Silver Scroll winning track "Walk". The same crew on board makes it feel very much like a sequel to the earlier album, but some deep meditations on love and loss, with the passing of Tami's father, and the birth of her baby.
Artist: Keith Richards
Song: Trouble, Track 5
Comp: Richards/ Jordan
Album: Crosseyed Heart
Label: Mindless/ Virgin
Broadcast Time: 4'17"
- third solo album from half of the Rolling Stones creative axis. Best described as "Stonesy", but I guess if anyone is allowed, he is. The melancholy things on the album are my faves.
11:25 Tree climbing Championships in Nelson
Three time champion tree climber, Scott Forrest on the upcoming National Championships in Nelson.
and the highs and lows of tree climbing.
11:30 Sports commentator Brendan Telfer
11:45 The Week that Was with comedians Radar and Elisabeth Easther
Music played in this show
Artist: Blossom Dearie
Song: Everything I’ve got
Composer: Rodgers / Hart
Album: Blossom Dearie
Label: Verve
Time: 10:06
Artist: Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Song: I’m Going Back
Album: Smoking in Heaven
Label: Sunday Best
Time: 10:30
Artist: Lee Hazelwood
Song: These Boots are made for Walking
Composer: Hazelwood
Album: In our Time
Label: Universal
Time:10.40