Nine To Noon for Thursday 12 October 2017
09:05 Too long for gorge alternatives
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis tells Kathryn Ryan six or seven years to improve a major road link through her district is way too long and will further harm businesses there. NZTA has unveiled four preferred options to replace the route through the Manawatu Gorge, one of the North Island's key routes linking the east and the west coasts. Mayor of Palmerston North Grant Smith favours the southern most route.
09:20 Harvey Weinstein – how did this go on for decades?
As more allegations of sexual assault are coming out against the American film producer Harvey Weinstein, questions are now being asked how this could have gone on unreported for decades. Some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have voiced their disgust at the way he's said to have treated young women under his influence. Kathryn Ryan speaks with Brooks Barnes who has been reporting on this story for the New York Times from Los Angeles.
09:30 The global decline of the honey bee
Working with bees that died as a result of pesticide drift, photographer and beekeeper Anne Noble is highlighting the global decline of the honey bee using their wings in as a photogram. Anne Noble's exhibition 'Umbra' is part of Artweek Auckland that runs from 7-15 October. Anne Noble is a Professor of Fine Arts (Photography) at Massey University Wellington, and she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to photography in 2003.
09:45 UK correspondent
UK correspondent Gerri Peev on British PM Theresa May dodging questions about whether she'd vote for Brexit again.
10:05 Jane Harper: Force of Nature
There's no doubt that life has changed markedly for Jane Harper since winning the Victorian Premier's Literacy Award for an Unpublished Manuscript back in 2015. The manuscript evolved into her bestselling first novel, The Dry, selling in 27 countries, earning a slew of literary awards and grabbing the attention of Reese Witherspoon's production company who bought the film rights. She's just released her second novel, Force of Nature – the gripping crime drama about five women who have hiked into the Australian bush on a corporate retreat, but only four come out the other side.
10:35 Book review
Louise Ward from Havelock North's Wardini Books reviews Turtles All The Way Down by John Green, published by Penguin Random House. Also Frida Nilsson's The Ice Sea Pirates. Published by Gecko Press.
10:45 The Reading
11:05 New Technology with Robbie Allan
Robbie Allan tells Kathryn Ryan about Google's new product offerings and how they compare to the new iPhones. Also what it all means for the future of Google and Apple.
11:25 Spectrum Playgroup: A special place for kids with autism
For parents with children on the autism spectrum, early childhood care can be a tough road as their kids learn to interact and communicate. A lack of essential early intervention services throughout New Zealand has inspired one woman to establish a community playgroup with a difference. Spectrum Playgroup is coordinated by Cat Noakes-Duncan, who speaks with Kathryn Ryan about providing a space for parents to catch up with each other and to play alongside their children in a specialist learning environment.
11:45 Viewing with Sarah McMullan
Sarah McMullan reviews Blade Runner 2049, Seven Rivers Walking, Radio Dunedin: The Movie and the new Phillip K Dick adaption for Lightbox The Hood Maker.