09:05 Auckland earthworks raise carcinogenic concerns

Martin Brook

Martin Brook Photo: University of Auckland

There are fears a carcinogenic substance more potent than asbestos could have been released into the atmosphere during earthworks in the Auckland. The volcanic rock dust, erionite, which is a naturally occuring form of asbestos can become airborne when bedrock is disturbed. If inhaled it can cause malignant mesothelioma. Two million tonnes of rock has been removed from the central city during the City Rail Link project, and there's potential that the excavated material could contain the carcinogen. In an article published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, co-authors, Associate Professor Martin Brook from the University of Auckland, who is a specialist in geology, geochemistry and toxicity, and Associate Professor Jennifer Salmond from the University's School of Environment warn that erionite is emerging as an occupational and public health danger.
 

09:20 Time for strategic waste plan?

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Photo: https://www.pmcsa.ac.nz

New Zealand currently has one of the highest rates of waste production per capita in the developed world and it's not likely to have its own recycling infrastructure until at least 2030. Things are looking up, earlier this week the government announced $124 million for onshore recycling plants. To pay for it, the government will expand the waste levy six fold by 2025, gradually pushing up what it costs to take rubbish to the tip. Yet advocates say if the government wants to bring about systemic change it must introduce an overarching national strategy. The Minister of the Environment Eugenie Sage has told Nine to Noon a waste strategy is in the work plan. Meanwhile, fewer types of plastic are being recycled, with Wellington City Council, the latest to announce it will only recycle plastics 1, 2 and 5 from Monday July 20th. Lynn Freeman talks to Local Government New Zealand President Dave Cull, WasteMINZ chief executive Janine Brinsdon and Wellington City Council Waste Operations Manager Emily Taylor-Hall about what the strategy should look like.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor 

Moera talks to Lynn about the legacy of long time leader of Niue, Sir Toke Talagi who died this week.

Toke TalagiToke Talagi

Toke Talagi Photo: RNZ/ Sara Vui-Talitu

10:05 Endurance: Louis Rudd's journey across Antarctica

Captain Louis Rudd knows what it's like to truly tough it out. He joined the Royal Marines at age 16, spent 25 years in the SAS and served in Northern Ireland, The Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. From a young age he was fascinated by tales from the ice and the expeditions of polar explorers like Robert Scott and Sir Ranulph Fiennes. It led him down to Antarctica several times, and on his most recent trip he undertook a 56-day, 1400km journey across the continent, becoming the second person and first Briton to do so. He's documented his gruelling journey in an appropriately named book: 'Endurance'.

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Photo: Supplied

10:35 Book review - The Gospel of the Eels by Patrik Svensson

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Photo: Pan Macmillan

Bronwyn Wylie-Gibb of University Book Shop, Dunedin, reviews The Gospel of the Eels: Our Enduring Fascination with the Most Mysterious Creature in the Natural World by Patrik Svensson. Published by Pan Macmillan.

Haunting and tender exploration of the mysterious eel - and human attempts to grapple with the slippery fish. Like the eel in a dark stream, this book slides into and around your mind, glimpsed in silvery flashes, and lurks quietly.

10:45 The Reading

Nick Blake reading 'Postcard' by Latika Vasil 

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Whoosh The Stroppies

Whoosh The Stroppies Photo: album cover

Is The Stroppies the best band name ever? Grant Smithies reckons so, and he’ll play two tracks from the Melbourne band’s studio debut Whoosh today, alongside tracks from Birmingham electronic experimentalists Broadcast and Manchester indie dance-pop pioneers, New Order.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Will international rugby be played in NZ this year? The Wellington Phoenix finally resume their A-League campaign and several Warriors player are coming home.

The Warriors looking dejected on their own goal line after a Storm try.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

11:45 The week that was

Our comedians Pinky Agnew and James Elliott chat about a perfume co-designed by NASA that is said to capture what outer space smells like.

Buzz Aldrin conducts experiments on the moon's surface in a picture taken by Neil Armstrong after both climbed down the ladder of the lunar module "Eagle" on July 21, 1969 to become the first men in history to set foot on the moon's surface.

Photo: AFP / NASA

Music played in this show

Artist: Juniore 
Song: Bizzare 
Time: 09:30