09:05 Andrew Little on new 10 year plan for mental wellbeing

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Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Health Minister Andrew Little talks with Kathryn Ryan about the pathway forward for mental health. He is due to release a stock-take into how much of the $1.9 billion for mental health in the 2019 budget has been spent , or allocated. This week he announced a new 10-year plan for mental wellbeing and the establishment of an external oversight group to keep it on track. All this follows the comprehensive inquiry into mental health which resulted in 38 recommendations put to government nearly three years ago. The Minister has previously expressed frustration with his Ministry over the pace of change. But the new long term pathway for mental wellbeing, known as Kia Manawanui, contains no specific measurable milestones. The Mental Health Foundation has said while it welcomes the initiative, it is concerned it could become a long term 'road to nowhere'.

09:20 FIFA considers a biennial football world cup 

Global Football organisation FIFA is considering a move to holding a men's World Cup Competition every two years, rather than every four. It is carrying out a feasibility study led by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Over half of FIFA's 210 national associations have given their backing to the study into the idea but the move has brought condemnation from some corners with commentators claiming it's just a cash grab. But the idea for a shift to biennial competitions has supporters as well. Among them New Zealand footballer and former All White captain Ryan Nelsen. He was in Doha last week to hear FIFA outline their proposed plan for the change. 

Former All White Ryan Nelsen

Former All White Ryan Nelsen Photo: Photosport

09:30 Why are Kiwi kids still getting rickets?

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Photo: AFP

Despite prescriptions for Vitamin D supplements being on the rise, around 20  children each year are being hospitalised for rickets, a condition which affects bone development. Endocrinologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of  Auckland, Dr Mark Bolland says the condition is easily preventable. His team has looked why there are still cases emerging.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Susana Leiataua

There is 2 days of lockdown for mass Covid vaccinations in Samoa, as Pasifika community vaccination events are underway in South Auckland and Wellington, and in Fiji and New Caledodna 15-17 year olds are being vaccinated. Also, at the UN General Assembly, Marshall Islands leader David Kabua speakes about geopolitical tension in the Pacific. Susana also marks the passing of NZ's first MP of Pacific descent, Taito Phillip Field.


10:05 Adam Alexander: seed detective

 

Adam Alexander  is on a mission to save rare vegetables and put them back on menus all over the world. Adam  is a seed guardian at the UK's Organic Garden Heritage Seed Library, which has over 500 rare, endangered, local and heirloom vegetable varieties. He has saved over twenty endangered varieties himself, grows around seventy different vegetable varieties every year for collectors, and those keen to conserve genetic food plant diversity. A rare Catalonian pea is just one variety which might otherwise be no more had Adam not intervened.  A seed detective, Adam joins the dots on mysteries like why a South American broad bean is meaningful in Myanmar.  When he's not in the seed beds Adam is a filmmaker, traveling the world cultivating relationships with growers and vegetables along the way. Adam tells Kathryn he's a pea nut.

10:35 Book review: The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz

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Photo: Pushkin Press

Adrian Hardingham from Unity Books Wellington reviews reviews The Passenger by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz (translated by Philip Boehm).  Published by Pushkin Press

 

10:45 The Reading

Head In The Clouds Hartley Manners Stories written by Matthew O'Sullivan, read by Grant Tilly. Episode 5.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Grant Smithies 24/9

Grant Smithies 24/9 Photo: album covers

French psych-rock duo Liminanas have just made an “imaginary road movie” album with techno DJ/ producer Laurent Garnier. Grant says it’s good, but not as good as past work, so we hear a couple of their classic earlier tracks today, alongside a stone-cold roots reggae classic from The Royals and a mighty Africa-meets-Brooklyn collaboration between Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers.

 

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam previews this weekend's All Blacks v Springboks, more on the America's Cup palava, the ramifications from the Black Caps abandoning their Pakistan tour, and tonight is the series decider for the Silver Ferns and England.

 

Grace Nweke of the Silver Ferns

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

 

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Te Radar and James Elliott have a funny focus on fast food this morning, fried chicken, pies and more are on the menu.

There was more than $100,000 in cash and "a car boot full" of KFC, police said.

Photo: NZ Police