Nine To Noon for Friday 26 January 2018

 

 

09:05 MPI responds to stinging criticism of its kauri dieback programme

A lack of coordination, money spent on ineffective treatments, moving goal posts for scientific research, a review that went nowhere, and no sense of urgency. They are just some of the complaints raised by scientists and conservation groups about the Ministry for Primary Industry's approach to saving one of New Zealand's most iconic trees. Meanwhile MPI says it is working as hard as it can and has spent approximately 70 per cent of the $3 million since 2014 that has been committed to research to help stop the spread of the disease. Kathryn Ryan speaks with MPI's Manager of Recovery & Pest Management John Sanson.

09:20 Alcoholism knows no barriers

Drinking alcohol is a way of socialisation for many, but for alcoholics and heavy drinkers it's a harmful dependence that can damage your health, relationships, and future prospects. Kathryn Ryan talks to a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, who goes by the name of Maeve, about her recovery story and why not all alcoholics fit into the prevailing stereotype. A 2016 AA member survey showed most alcoholics hold down good jobs, are in committed relationships and span a wide range of ages.

09:30 New NZ research proves LEGO is getting harder

University of Canterbury researchers have managed to mathematically prove that the brightly coloured bricks sets have got more complex. By data-mining 10,953 LEGO sets, researchers found that the number of bricks and sets that The LEGO Group (TLG) produces each year has increased by around 7 per cent annually, the number of bricks in each set has increased by an average of 1.9 per cent per year, while the number of bricks of the largest set in each year has increased on average by a staggering 5 per cent.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koro Vaka'uta

Tonga's 76-year-old Democratic Party leader 'Akilisi Pohiva has returned for a second term, but there are concerns over his health, and Pita Taufatofua qualifies for the Winter Games becoming Tonga's first skier to do so.

10:05 Kristen Worley: taking on the IOC for transgender athletes

Kristin Worley is a Canadian transgender athlete who won a precedent-setting case last year, against the International Olympic Committee over its policies on gender testing and hormone regulation. The case has sent ripples throughout the sporting world, as it questions how sports' governing bodies distinguish and define male and female athletes. Kristen Worley also has a strong link with this country - her birth mother is a New Zealander, and this year Kristen will become a New Zealand citizen.

10:35 Unity Books review - Best of 2017

Kiran Dass reviews:

This is Memorial Device by David Keenan, published by Faber.

The New Animals by Pip Adam, published by VUP.

Tinderbox by Megan Dunn, published by Galley Beggar Press.

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Blimey! Is it really 20 years since Auckland bass bandits Unitone HiFi played the inaugural Gathering dance festival? It is, and Grant Smithies was there. He’s delighted that they’ve emerged from semi-retirement to play Auckland’s Laneway Festival next week. Besides Unitone tunes new and old, we’ll also hear songs from Auckland “spaghetti western punk” trio, Echo Ohs, and Jamaican singer, Cornell Campbell.

11:30 Sports commentator Brendan Telfer

Is tennis great Roger Federer heading for another Australian Open title? A remarkable summer of success for the Black Caps; and Tiger Woods makes his much awaited returned to competitive golf.

11:45 The week that was with Te Radar and Pinky Agnew

Our comedians enjoy the lighter stories of the week including the one about the 12 camels disqualified from a Saudi Arabian beauty contest after Botox was used 'to make them prettier'.

 

Music played in this show

 

Artist:   Teeks
Song: Wash Over Me
Composer: Toi
Album: The Grapefruit Skies
Label: Private
Time: 11:45