Nine To Noon for Friday 2 August 2019

 

 

09:05 Australian regulators eye up Facebook and Google

The issue of what to do with digital giants Facebook and Google has been put under the microscope by Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission. It recently released a 600-page report looking at the effect digital platforms have had on competition, consumers and society. The A-triple-C's report made 23 recommendations to regulate the tech giants and improve media competition. Joining Kathryn to discuss them is Rod Sims, chair of the ACCC.

09:20 The road to clean cars: how its working in Sweden

The government's recently announced "clean car discount" has been labelled draconian by some, and impossible by others.  The proposal would mean about $8000 off the price of a new or near new imported electric vehicle, while the heaviest petrol and diesel polluters would cost $3000 more. Sweden introduced a feebate scheme last year - one of a suite of policies designed to help Sweden achieve its target of a 70 per cent reduction in emissions from domestic transport compared with 2010 levels by the end of the next decade. Jakob Lagercrantz is one of the architects of that scheme, and says low emissions vehicle sales in Sweden are soaring.

09:30 Unchatter. Swapping phones for deep conversation

If you look around and see faces glued to smartphones, it's easy to think that the art of conversation has been lost. Think again! Natasha Zimmerman has created an event in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch designed to facilitate deep conversation. It's called "unchatter" because small talk is banned while probing questions give you street cred.

09:45 Pacific wrap with Koro Vaka'uta 

Koro talks to Kathryn about Pacific Nations declaring a climate crisis in the region, and criticism of Jacinda Ardern's visit to Tokelau is greeted with outrage by Pasifika MPs and communities.

10:05 Allan Jenkins: before dawn & the solace of gardening

Kathryn Ryan speaks with Allan Jenkins, editor of Observer Food Monthly. His beautifully written book Morning: How To Make Time - A Manifesto is a diary of and a treatise to the sublime time before dawn.  For Allan it’s a time to enjoy solitude, birdsong, and get ahead of the day, whether in London or Lapland. His earlier book Plot 29 describes the joys of his allotment. Gardening for Allan is also an escape and a kind of therapy following a traumatic childhood in “feral” children’s homes.

10:35 Book review - The Bastard Brigade by Sam Kean

Harry Broad reviews The Bastard Brigade by Sam Kean, which is published by Hachette NZ.

10:45 The Reading

Pearly Gates by Owen Marshall, read by Gavin Rutherford - final episode.

11:05 New music with Grant Smithies

Homesick synth-pop, witchy indie folk addled psychedelia and dancefloor mayhem. It's all on today as we take a roadie around New Zealand for killer tunes from Lake South, Purple Pilgrims and Gary War, then head to New York City for a dusty funk classic from Cameo. 

11:30 Sports commentator Brendan Telfer

The Ashes are underway, a look at the quality of the Rugby World Cup All Blacks side, and the Warriors' victory denied.

11:45 The week that was - what your country tastes like

Comedians Te Radar and Gemma Gracewood have the rundown on what countries around the world taste of, according to  a woman with synaesthesia. New Zealand - wet nail polish and a bumble bee,  Australia - a cold and slightly squashed sausage roll and Gambia - a shiny red tomato.