Nine To Noon for Wednesday 6 September 2017

 

 

09:05 High profile call to re-establish Mental Health Commission

The original Chair of the Mental Health Commission says there's no need for another review of mental health services - rather, action is needed straight away, starting with re-establishing the commission to provide urgently needed leadership and direction in the sector. Mental health is a big issue on the election campaign trail  - with many groups, and at least two political parties, calling for an inquiry into mental health, saying the system is broken. Dr Barbara Disley, says there's absolutely no need for another review - but what is needed is leadership and vision.

09:25 NZ's connection to Washington's new breed of lobbyist

New York Times writer Nick Confessore talks with Kathryn Ryan about the new breed of lobbyist appearing in Donald Trump's Washington, the connection with New Zealand, and a lavish party held at our embassy to celebrate the President's inauguration.

09:35 From the ground up, Christchurch's Ephemeral City

The idea of building something and then pulling it down may seem like bad taste in Christchurch, a city still under earthquake reconstruction, but a community arts festival project is doing just that and is proving popular! As part of Christchurch Arts Festival locals, and school groups are being encouraged to help create a sky-high building in the heart of the city using just cardboard boxes and tape - and then watch it get demolished. Kathryn Ryan is joined by Christchurch Arts Festival Director Craig Cooper and head builder Christophe Goddett.

09:45 Australia correspondent Karen Middleton

Pressure is increasing on the Australian Prime Minister and the Government over the role of dual Aussie-Kiwi deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce; the High Court is half-way through two days of hearings to determine the legality of the postal survey on same-sex marriage, which is due to begin next Tuesday; and Malcolm Turnbull is in talks to keep a NSW coal-fired power station open five years longer than planned.

10:05 Client Earth: Using the courts to defend the planet

Who will stop the planet from committing ecological suicide? That's the question James Thornton and Martin Goodman attempt to answer in their new book, Client Earth – an investigation into how citizens can use public interest law to protect the planet. It charts the journey of ClientEarth, the non-profit environmental law group from inception in 2008 to the present day, leading up to the establishment of the Paris Agreement – the global accord to counter climate change.

10:35 Book review

Lisa Finucane reviews I Know A Secret by Tess Gerritsen.

10:45  The Reading:

It's part three of The Changeover by Margaret Mahy, read by Miranda Harcourt.

The feature film adaptation of The Changeover opens in cinemas around the country on 28th September 2017.

It is directed by Miranda Harcourt and Stuart McKenzie and stars Timothy Spall, Melanie Lynskey, Lucy Lawless, Nick Galitzine, Dame Kate Harcourt — and introduces young NZ actor Erana James (Ngati Whatua Orakei, Waikato Tainui) as Laura Chant.

Listen to more about the movie and the book by clicking on these links:

Miranda Harcourt and Bridget Mahy talk about The Changeover

Hannah August reviews the original book

11:05 Music with Graeme Downes

Graeme Downes, founding member of the Verlaines, songwriter, musicologist, senior lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of Otago, will take a look at this year's APRA Silver Scrolls finalists, all women, ahead of the big night on September 28th.

11:20 What to consider when designing toys

John Austin is a toy designer at one of the world's largest toy makers, Hasbro. At one stage, he worked in the company's Boys' Research Development department, working on popular brands including Star Wars, Iron Man, Jurassic Park and Tonka. He has written a book called Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction, which includes guides to creating your own toys from component parts such as paper clips and rubber bands – the likes of slingshots, catapults and combustion shooters.

11:45 Science commentator Kathy Campbell

Professor in the School of Environment at the University of Auckland, Cathy Campbell on how Hurricane Harvey has wreaked havoc in the US city of Houston - why did it have such a massive impact? Also, scientists attempt to solve the mystery of the sun's corona during the total eclipse in the US last month. And University of Auckland students simulate the eruption of a brand new volcano in Auckland.

Music played in this show

Graeme Downes played:

"Green Light" by Lorde

"Richard" by Nadia Reid

and

"Life of the Party" by Chelsea Jade