Nine To Noon for Monday 24 May 2021

09:05  Why Kiwi tech companies get sold offshore

Why do so many New Zealand technology companies end up bought by overseas investors and does our economy suffer as a consequence? Last week Dunedin's booking software firm Timely was bought by Denver-based EverCommerce - the fourth this year. In March,  Kumeu mobile game developer Ninja Kiwi sold to Sweden's MTG;  retail software firm Vend sold to Lightspeed for $450m, and Christchurch geologic 3D modelling company Seequent was acquired by Nasdaq-listed Bentley Systems for $1.45 billion. Kathryn discusses the situation with investor and director of a number of local software companies, Serge van Dam; CEO of the Kiwisaver provider Simplicity Sam Stubbs and PWC tax partner, Geof Nightingale.

09:25 Creating a digital version of the human body 

A group of Auckland biomedical engineers are on a quest to develop a complete virtual physiological human complete with all component  parts.The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI)  is receiving $15 million over five years - to lead an international collaboration merging computational and mathematical modelling of human physiology. It is hoped that the funding boost will ultimately lead to greater personalised  treatment options for medical patients. Auckland Bioengineering Institute Deputy Director, Professor Merryn Tawhai says benefits would include allowing for patient-specific diagnosis and treatment.

09:45 Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher

Sebastian has an update on the mutual ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza and he also talks to Kathryn where things have got to with the Iran nuclear deal.

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

10:05 Wildlife photographer and elephant conservationist Jane Wynyard 

Jane Wynyard is a wildlife photographer and elephant conservationist in Kenya, working as a consultant with Save the Elephants and the Elephant Crisis Fund. She splits her time between Nairobi and a research camp in Samburu National Reserve, seven hours drive north of the capital. When at the camp, she spends her days photographing wild elephants, doing aerial surveys by helicopter, and liaising with the BBC and National Geographic to tell the stories of the elephants. Jane Wynyard speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

10:35 Samoa's political turmoil deepens 

Crowds are descending on Samoa's parliament where the Speaker of the House has refused a court order to convene parliament, with members of the emergent FAST Party locked out of the building. It's the latest twist in a weekend of developments that have spiralled into the biggest political turmoil seen in Samoa in decades. Kathryn gets the latest developments from Apia correspondent Alex Rheeney. 

10:45 The Reading

Bob Dylan's New Zealand, episode 1. Written and read by Andrew McCallum, this week's reading acknowledges the work of the music great as he turns 80.

11:05 Political commentators Neale Jones & Ben Thomas

Neale, Ben and Kathryn with some post Budget analysis and discussion about the Opposition's response.

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.

Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

11:30 Foundry chocolate: Micro-batches from just two ingredients

David Herrick set up Foundry Chocolate after reading about making chocolate on a micro-scale and deciding to give it a whirl. Fast forward a few years, and his chocolate is now netting some big awards: last year he took seven gold, five silver and the Supreme Winner title at the New Zealand Chocolate Awards, he won three silver and a bronze at the Academy of Chocolate's global awards and just last week he won two golds and a silver at the Outstanding NZ Food Producers Awards. David's little team of "one and a half" is based in Mahurangi, north of Auckland - but his beans come from all over the globe. The ingredients of his chocolate are simple: cacao and organic sugar, but the flavour the beans bring to the chocolate is key. He joins Kathryn for a taste test.

11:45 Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

Kennedy takes us to the wild southern extremity of the Waitakere Ranges - Whatipu - and discusses a High Court decision that has been hailed as "a judgment for the century" - a case which grants customary marine title to a group of hapū from Te Whakatōhea, an iwi of the eastern Bay of Plenty. 
 

Music played in this show

Artist: Troy Kingi

Track: Call My Name

Time played: 9.45