Nine To Noon for Wednesday 15 May 2019

 

09:05 Opposition to Foulden Maar mine proposal grows

Resistance to a proposed mine next to a fossil rich geological site of international significance near Middlemarch is growing. Foulden Maar is a 23-million-year-old crater lake containing large deposits of diatomite. The majority Malaysian-owned company Plaman Resources wants to turn that into stock feed. The Overseas Investment Office is currently considering the application to buy a neighbouring farm which would allow the expansion to go ahead. In the latest twist, Dunedin's mayor, Dave Cull, now says he wants an urgent explanation from the company as its official statements don't match the information contained in a report from Goldman Sachs, which was leaked to the Otago Daily Times. This after he originally wrote a letter of support for Plaman Resources' application to the Overseas Investment Office. Meanwhile local and international opposition to the mine has been growing including locals, concerned scientists and former Prime Minister Helen Clark. Otago University Palentologist  Daphne Lee and Middlemarch resident Andrea Bosshard from Save Foulden Marr.

09:20 Waitākere woes: Re-open plan fails to impress public

Auckland Council's proposed plans to re-open access to the Waitākere Ranges haven't gone down well with the public. Areas of the park were closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback and the Council has released the findings of consultation with residents and the wider public. Most said the current plan doesn't provide a good balance of recreation experiences and forest health - while a small minority say it doesn't go far enough. Where does this leave the Council? Kathryn is joined by regional parks manager Rachel Kelleher and Piha resident James Dickinson, who's part of a group fighting kauri dieback.

09:30 Testosterone in female athletes: where's the line?

South African two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya has been ordered to medically suppress her unusually high levels of naturally-present testosterone, if she is to continue high level competition. Following an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruling aimed at women who naturally produce high levels of testosterone, Caster lost an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. South Africa's governing body for track and field in now set to appeal this decision.  Kathryn Ryan speaks with Dr. Anthony Hackney, Professor of Exercise Physiology & Nutrition, University of North Carolina, USA.  Dr Anthony Hackney and other experts presented at the court of arbitration on Caster's behalf, saying "the association of testosterone to improved athletic performance is not a perfect linear relationship", arguing there is simply not enough research done to prove the relationship.

09:45 Oz election hits home stretch - and what, no Vogels?

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton reports on the 4-day home stretch to polling day, how religion's been injected into election debate thanks to Israel Folau, wellness fraudster Belle Gibson's appearance in court to explain why she hasn't paid $410,000 in fines and Australia's most prestigious literary awards have gone to.... no one.

10:05 Being Bibi: The turbulent life of Israel's leader

Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu into his fifth term as Prime Minister - but with the threat of indictments hanging over him. What price might his coalition partners extract for their support? And what might it mean for Palestinians living in the West Bank? Kathryn speaks with Anshel Pfeffer, a journalist for Haaretz and author of the book 'Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu' who is in town for this week's Auckland Writers Festival.

10:35 Book review - Finding Frances Hodgkins by Mary Kisler

Anne Else reviews Finding Frances Hodgkins by Mary Kisler, which is published by Massey University Press. This book reveals not only how Hodgkins managed to live as a single woman painting full-time, but also how she succeeded in winning full recognition for her work – an extraordinary achievement.

10:45 The Reading

Lisa's Story (from the book, All this by Chance) by Vincent O'Sullivan read by Peter Hambleton. Episode 3 of 10

11:05 Music with Charlotte Ryan

Music commentator Charlotte Ryan shares a song from her favourite new band Soaked Oats, takes a look at a new album from 19-year-old BENE and an album from Neil Finn's youngest son Elroy that's out on the 31st May.

11.30 Paul Bangay: Small Garden Design

Widely regarded as Australia's foremost landscape designer, Paul Bangay shares tips with Kathryn Ryan to help turn a small outdoor space into a garden paradise. Paul's new book Small Garden Design shows how to structure and design small gardens, and choose plants for a balcony, a terrace, or even the roof; creating lovely spaces for eating, playing and relaxing in.

11:45 Last days of "The Room" and ideas for Notre Dame's spire replacement

Arts commentator Courtney Johnston looks at the final days of "The Room" exhibition at Objectspace in Auckland, photographer Edith Amituanai's new survey exhibition in Wellington and proposals from around the world to replace Notre Dame's spire.