Nine To Noon for Friday 16 July 2021

 

 

09:05 Mass rural protest across the country

Farmers and their supporters are today joining a nationwide protest organised by Groundswell NZ, planned for more than 50 towns and cities. The action is against what has been described as increasing Government interference, unworkable regulations and unjustified costs. Some local government leaders, including Mayors are supporting the protest. Kathryn talks to one of the Groundswell organisers, Jamie McFadden. He runs an environment restoration business in Cheviot, north Canterbury, and is also chair of the rural advocacy network for the Hurunui district.  Also sheep and beef farmer at Rere, in Tairawhiti, and Gisborne district councillor Kerry Warsnop.

09:20 New research finds surprising presence of microplastics in Queen Charlotte Sound

A pilot study from scientists at the University of Auckland and NIWA has found surprising amounts of microplastic particles in marine sediments within the protected parts of the Queen Charlotte Sounds / Tōtaranui. Researcher at the University of Auckland's School of Environment, Dr Marta Ribo speaks with Kathryn Ryan about this research, which could go wider in NZ, and which has measured microplastics up to 50 cm below the seabed both near coastal populations and within marine protected areas.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor - Covid acceleration in Fiji

There are now more than 11,000 active Covid cases in Fiji, with 1220 new cases recorded in the 24 hour period to yesteray morning. The death toll has reached 74. 

10:05 Esther Freud: I Couldn't Love You More

Acclaimed British author Esther Freud's new novel I Couldn't Love You More is, like much of her writing, deeply autobiographical.  It tells the stories of three generations of women, lighting upon what could have been Esther's own fate, narrowly escaping Ireland's cruel mother and baby homes, had her mother not taken great pains to avoid them.  On her paternal side, Esther's family line includes the founder of modern psychoanalysis, her great grandfather Sigmund Freud.  Her father Lucian Freud was the celebrated 20th century portrait artist. Lucian Freud and her mother Bernardine Coverley are fictionalised here in an account of bringing up babies outside of wedlock in County Cork in Ireland in the not so swinging sixties. Esther joins Kathryn from London.

10:35 Unity Books review:  We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida

Toyah Webb from Unity books in Auckland reviews We Run the Tides by Vendela Vida, published by Atlantic Books

10:45 The Reading

Eleanor Meecham with episode five of her bicycle journey in South America  'Llamas and Empanadas'

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

After a difficult few years of illness and lockdowns, Melbourne quartet Hiatus Kaiyote return with what Grant says is their best album yet. Well hear two tracks from that today, alongside a spanking new single from Courtney Barnett and some lustful Afro-disco from Ghana's Rim Kwaku Obeng. 

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam highlights the volatility and vulnerability of sport, particularly with the Tokyo Olympics being questioned daily and a range of contingency plans in place. Also, just this week, all the NRL clubs have had to relocate to Queensland to keep the competition afloat with COVID spikes and lockdowns in Sydney and Victoria - and next month's long awaited return to Mt Smart has been cancelled for the Warriors and fans.

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Te Radar and Gemma Gracewood bring a few laughs.