Nine To Noon for Friday 22 March 2024

09:05 Dementia head count goes door to door 

An initiative to capture how many New Zealanders actually have dementia, is going door knocking. The best estimate is that it affects 70,000 New Zealanders and that's likely to triple by 2050. The Impact of Dementia and Equity in Aotearoa study, led by Auckland University's healthy ageing expert, Professor Ngaire Kerse is focusing on what's called ` ignored ethnic diversity'. This includes Chinese, Indian and Fijian Indian communities, which are known to be under represented in dementia statistics. Next month, more than 50 researchers will begin door knocking in  Auckland and Christchurch. Kathryn also speaks to AUT Professor Rita Krishnamurthi specialising in dementia epidemiology, and Associate Professor, Gary Cheung is an old age psychiatrist based at the University of Auckland 

09:25 Smaller Scott Base redevelopment proposed

Antarctica NZ is proposing to strip back its plans for the redevelopment of Scott Base, after it failed to reach an agreement with the preferred builder last year. Scott Base was first opened in 1957 and hosts scientist conducting research year round. The redevelopment project had an original budget of just under $500 million. A working group appointed by Antarctica NZ has offered the board five options to be taken further. According to the redacted report released to Nine to Noon under the Official Information Act,  the first recommendation is to cut the project from three buildings to two,  and repurpose the recently upgraded Hillary Field Centre.  Dr Alan Hemmings is adjunct professor at the University of Canterbury's Antarctic research centre, Gateway Antarctica.

09:40 Reddit, the internet's 'front page' goes public

Social media network Reddit has launched many a meme stock - and as it goes public, could it become one itself? The 19-year-old platform's gone public on the New York Stock Exchange today, opening 38% above the offer price at US$47 per share. Reddit is seeking to raise nearly US$750m  through the stock listing - putting its valuation at nearly US$6.5 billion. It's the latest social media giant to hit Wall Street - and it's known to have a particularly passionate user base.In 2021 Reddit helped fuel interest in GameStop shares, managing to create a short squeeze against traditional investors - and giving rise to so-called meme-stocks. So what can we expect from this listing? Matt Leibowitz, Founder of online broker Stake, shares his view.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins looks at the upcoming Solomon Islands election and the shifting nature of politics there, as the strongest candidate heaps praise on China. And heavy rain warnings are in place across Fiji, with non-essential workers told to work from home. Koroi also discusses what action Pacific Islands want at the upcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan.

10:05 Ulva Goodwillie waves goodbye to Ulva's Guided Walks

Ulva Goodwillie traces her whakapapa to the earliest inhabitants of Rakiura-Stewart Island and is named after the jewel in the National Park's crown - Ulva Island. The island - the largest island in Paterson Inlet - has been a scenic reserve since 1892, pest free since 1997, and is the site of multiple successful bird translocations. Close to 30,000 visitors flock to Ulva Island every year - many of whom experience the Gondwanaland rainforest and teeming bird life through Ulva's Guided Walks, the business started by Ulva Goodwillie in 2000. However, after more than 20 years at the helm, it's time for a change. Ulva spoke to Kathryn in 2020, when despite covid, business was booming. She joins us again to talk about her life growing up in this part of the world and why it's time to sell the business. 

10:35 Book review: The Extinction of Irena Ray by Jennifer Croft 

Martene McCaffrey of Unity Books Auckland reviews The Extinction of Irena Ray by Jennifer Croft published by Scribe.

10:45 Around the motu: Jonathan Leask in Ashburton

Ashburton District Council has adopted a draft long-term plan was adopted with a proposed 9.9% average rates increase for 2024-25. Also, Jonathan explains why the Council has been accused of creative accounting over Balmoral Hall which Heritage advocates want saved. And Early Chinese market gardeners who settled in Ashburton have been honoured.

Local Democracy Reporter - Mid Canterbury Jonathan Leask from the Ashburton Guardian.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Grant Smithies brings two tracks from mysterious Christchurch 'psychedelic prayer' collective The Fuzzy Robes. And, a 20-year-old classic from Brighton band Electrelane, along with a welcome reissue from Trinidadian musician Oluko Imo, featuring Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam reflects on the state of school sport following RNZ's report on rowing and how the focus on winning at the event has led to dubious practices. And the National Basketball League is hoping to go viral with a new deal to broadcast its Wednesday night games on TikTok. Also, speculation Sam Whitelock is considering a return to NZ Rugby, an Australian cricket boycott in Afghanistan, and in rugby league criticism over Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall's refusal to work overtime.

11:45 The week that was with Te Radar and Irene Pink

A pair of Florida women are attempting to drive 500 miles down the state's coast in a pair of toy cars. In New York, a man is fighting for his alligator - named Albert - to be returned to him after it was seized by authorities. And a shop on a remote Scottish island has accidentally ordered hundreds more Easter eggs than its entire population.