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09:05 Wellington's water woes

Wellington Sewage pipe blockage

Wellington Sewage pipe blockage Photo: RNZ/ Rob Dixon

There are serious water woes in the Wellington region and a multi-billion dollar price tag to fix them. The region has ageing, leaking pipes, sewage overflows, growing population and demand outstripping supply. The central government intends to establish a new national water regulator to oversee the water network, and reduce the number of authorities providing water. But in the meantime local councils are responsible for managing drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services. Kathryn speaks with Colin Crampton, Chief Executive of Wellington Water, owned by local councils in the region, about the massive challenges, including a network with 46 per cent of pipes described as "fragile".

09:25 Stuff says 'we are sorry' to Māori

Stuff holds itself accountable for wrongs to Māori Tā Mātou Pono | Our Truth

Stuff holds itself accountable for wrongs to Māori Tā Mātou Pono | Our Truth Photo: Stuff

The Stuff media organisation  has issued an apology to Māori this morning for what it calls decades of monocultural journalism. The company has vowed to do better. Tā Mātou Pono, or  Our Truth, was led by Pou Tiaki editor Carmen Parahi and editorial director Mark Stevens.

09:35 The Kiwi revolutionising hip & knee replacements

Biomedical engineer Dr Ju Zhang

Biomedical engineer Dr Ju Zhang Photo: supplied

Dr Ju Zhang, CEO of Formus Labs says you wouldn't build a car without knowing the right parts that fit, and it shouldn't be any different with joint replacement surgery. Over the past 8 years he's developed a revolutionary 3D modelling technique for hip and knee replacements that could help radically reduce the need for costly revision surgeries. The formus software platform is the world's first AI automated 3D planner. Developed closely alongside orthopaedic surgeons the idea is that it helps them work out  the perfect size of joint replacement piece before they open their patient up.

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

The assasination of Iran's top nuclear scientist has provoked outrage in the country. Iran's president has blamed Israel for the killing and says the country's nuclear programme will not slow down. Hassan Rouhani has vowed that Iran will retaliate over Mohsen Fakhrizadeh's killing. 

TEHRAN, IRAN - NOVEMBER 28: A group of demonstrator gather to protest gathering against the assassination of the Iranian Top nuclear scientist  Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, in southern Tehran, Iran on November 28, 2020.

Photo: AFP

Sebastian Usher is a BBC Middle East analyst, editor and reporter.

10:05 Friends inDEED: Assistance dogs and the crucial role they play

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Photo: Juliet Nicholas

Dogs have long been called man's best friend - but some go far beyond that: providing a critical role in helping people live their lives. Author Sue Allison's new book Friends inDEED looks at how assistance dogs can help their human friends with mobility, sight, hearing or medical challenges. 41 different stories are included in the book, with Sue traveling the country to see for herself the role that the dogs play  - and the transformative effect they've had on people's lives. She joins Kathryn, along with aspiring Para-Olympian Liz Gasson, whose dog Paddy helps her navigate the side-effects of living with multiple sclerosis. 

Friends inDEED is available through the publishers, New Holland.

10:35 Book review - The Searcher by Tana French

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Photo: Penguin Random House / Tana French

Laura Caygill reviews The Searcher by Tana French, published by Penguin Random House.

Tana French, the queen of Dublin Murder, goes Western in her new novel.

10:45 The Reading

Five-Five, a short essay written and read by Rose Lu. 

11:05 Political commentators Jones & Morton

Neale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss Grant Robertson's letter to the Reserve Bank, and the furore surrounding Oranga Tamariki.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations.

Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. 

11:30 A Thanksgiving feast in Indiana

Thanksgiving at Leo and Jan's.

Thanksgiving at Leo and Jan's. Photo: Leo McWilliams

We're off to South Bend, Indiana to meet the couple who in non-Covid times host a Thanksgiving dinner for around 60 guests, many of them black students from a predominantly white University. For over a decade paediatrician, Jan Sanders and her husband Leo McWilliams who is an assistant dean of engineering at the University of Notre Dame have hosted students who might not be able to travel home to observe Thanksgiving - and they also welcome other people who would otherwise be alone including international students. This year has been a little more muted than previous pre-pandemic gatherings, but Leo and Jan can talk us through their Thanksgiving food and traditions.

 

11.45 Is Wellington Modernism too ugly to love?

Bill McKay casts his architectural eye over the capital and wonders how to encourage an appreciation of Modernist heritage. He looks at the ebb and flow of urban fashion, and what other cities have done with their Modernist buildings.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

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Auckland's Symond Street flats were turned into student accommodation.  Photo: Supplied

Music played in this show

Artist: Mild Orange
Song: Making Things
Time Played: 10.05

Artist: Little Dragon
Song: Where you belong
Time Played: 10:45

Artist:  Phoebe Bridgers
Song:  Chinese Satellite
Time Played: 11:32