09:05 Women still absent from the boardroom

A new survey out this morning shows for the first time, women on the boards of the top 100 NZX companies has passed a quarter. 25.9 per cent of the top 100 have women on the board, compared with 24.1 last year and 22.1 in 2017. But that still means, of the 631 directors on the boards,  only 164 are women. 11 of the top 100 companies have no female directors at all - down from 20 in 2018. I'll discuss the results with the survey's author, AUT's School of Social Sciences and Public Policy head, Judy McGregor.

Shady image of a manager discussing business matters with his subordinates

Photo: 123RF

09:20 Demand for help soars in disability sector

3 new pilot programmes in the Manawatu, Waikato & Christchurch aim to make disabled services more accessible, especially for younger people.

3 new pilot programmes in the Manawatu, Waikato & Christchurch aim to make disabled services more accessible, especially for younger people. Photo: Scott Boardman Collective

There are warnings of a worsening funding crisis facing the disability sector, with new evidence suggesting many more potential users than previously thought don't get access to support they are eligible for. The Government is spending 24 million dollars over two years on three a new pilot programmes in the Manawatu, Waikato and Christchurch to make disabled services more accessible. The Disability Support Network says that's already brought in thousands of new people needing help and it shows thousands more may not be accessing the help they are entitled to. The Disability Support Network's chief executive Garth Bennie talks to Kathryn Ryan.

The 2020 Sector Briefing Report, 'Enabling Good Lives Sooner Rather Than Later' is being launched by the New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN) today.

09:45 Spain tries to form a government, Venice suffers third high-tide flood

Barcelona pro independence protest camp

Barcelona pro independence protest camp Photo: Seamus Kearney

Europe correspondent Seamus Kearney reports on the continuing protests in Spain following recent elections as the Socialist party attempts to cobble together a coalition government. And it's been the worst week of flooding in Venice since the early 1870s. Authorities have declared a state of emergency as many blame climate change for the disaster.

A tourist takes a photo from the flooded embankment by the Rialto bridge, after an exceptional overnight "Alta Acqua".

A tourist takes a photo from the flooded embankment by the Rialto bridge, after an exceptional overnight "Alta Acqua". Photo: AFP

10:05 Australian heroes of Thai cave rescue

The two Australian medics involved in the perilous rescue of 12 boys and their football coach from the Tham Luang cave last year, speak to Kathryn about the ordeal. It was a mammoth rescue mission involving more than 100 divers. At the heart of the operation, Doctor Richard Harris (Harry), an Australian anaesthetist: he was part of the medical team that determined the boys' fitness to make the perilous 4-kilometre journey back to surface. Also playing a key role, his diving partner, veterinarian, Doctor Craig Challen. Both men in addition to their medical credentials are cave diving specialists. They were  jointly awarded 2019 Australian of the Year. Their story is told in a new book Against All Odds.

10:45 The Reading

Seven Voices: Tales of Madness and Mirth narrated by Sean Allan (2003) Episode 6 of 10 
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11:05 Book review - Rick Stein’s Secret France

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Photo: Rick Stein

Gail Pittaway reviews Rick Stein’s Secret France. Published by Penguin Random House.

11:10 Political commentators Mills & Sherson

Kathryn chats to Stephen and Trish about the Zero Carbon Bill deal, also a look at education issues and next year's referendum questions about euthanasia and recreational cannabis.

Stephen Mills is the executive director of UMR Research and former political adviser to two Labour governments. Trish Sherson is from corporate affairs firm Sherson Willis, and a former ACT press secretary.
 

11:30 Eating creepy crawlies

Matt Genefaas and Dan Craig are the creators of Eat Crawlers - selling chocolate/sugar covered spiders and scorpions in a bid to get Kiwis eating insects, and have also launched Tomorrow Foods, which includes cricket flour and cricket flour pasta. They say insects are sustainable, economical, and nutritious, and more New Zealanders should be eating them. Matt Genefaas talks to Kathryn Ryan about how they got into insects, and their products. 

11:45 New words for climate change, repeat journeys and gourd lessons

Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne looks at the work of Australian environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht, who's finding new ways to express a changing world. Also, why some of us really enjoy the pleasure of repeat journeys, and what's the connection between the gourd and Captain Cook?

Music played in this show

Artist: Scott Mannion
Song: Your Kinda Love
Time played: 9.25

Artist: Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi
Song: I'm On My Way
Time played: 9:44