Saturday Morning

7:07 Trump and Putin in Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump are meeting at a military base in Alaska.

Going into it Mr Trump had reportedly told European leaders that his goal for the summit was to obtain a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.

The President says he "won't be happy" if a ceasefire isn't agreed during his talks.

Ukraine is not invited to the talks, but Vlodomyr Zelensky says his country is counting on America. It's now three and a half years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

US correspondent Simon Marks joins Perlina Lau from Washington.

7:16 Dr Robert Patman on Israel and Palestine 

A series of rallies and vigils are being held around the country today in a 'national day of action' planned by Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.

It comes in a week where Israel launched attacks on Gaza City and killed five Al-Jazeera journalists in a targeted strike.

Green co-leader Chloe Swarbrick was suspended from parliament after saying MPs could "grow a spine" and support her bill which would impose sanctions on Israel.

While Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had 'lost the plot' after launching a take-over of Gaza City.

Otago University Professor of International Relations, Dr Robert Patman speaks to Mihingarangi Forbes.

7:23 Funeral for Baby Anahera

A funeral for a newborn baby who was found dead and dumped at a South Auckland recycling plant will be held this morning.

The newborn's body was found at the Visy Recycling Plant in Onehunga.  Despite significant publicity and police investigations, neither the baby, nor her parents were identified. 

She was named Baby Anahera by the community. 

Detective Inspector Scott Beard has been investigating this case and speaks to Mihingarangi ahead of attending this morning's service.  

7:33 Tāmaki Makaurau By-election:Peeni Henare

On September 6 the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election will be held. It was triggered by the passing of Takutai Tarsh Kemp of Te Pāti Māori.

She beat Labour's Peeni Henare by only 42 votes in 2023 - and he is back to contest the seat along with former broadcaster Oriini Kaipara, Vision New Zealand's Hannah Tamaki, Sherry-Lee Matene as an independent and New Zealand Loyal's Kelvyn Alp.

Peeni Henare speaks to Mihingarangi about his vision for the electorate.

7:41 Decoding ME/CFS  

New research has found ME/CFS is partly caused by genetics, related to the immune and nervous system.

The study, which is the world's largest - called DecodeME - identifies DNA differences which raise the risk of developing ME/CFS and tells us about possible biological causes of the illness.

It's being hailed as a milestone but it's not a definitive test - some of the eight differences are also often found in people without ME/CFS - so it can't yet be cleanly separated who's at risk and who isn't. 

Professor Chris Ponting from the University of Edinburgh is an investigator on the DecodeME study. He joins Perlina to explain what still needs to be done.  

7:54 Rugby Championship: All Blacks vs Pumas 

It's the start of the rugby championship this weekend which features New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Australia.

The All Blacks have got Scott Barrett and Beauden Barrett back but are still coping with a lot of injuries - so there are several young players who've been drafted into the squad.

Rugby commentator Frankie Deges speaks to Mihi from Buenos Aires.

8.11 Esther Freud - My Sister and other Lovers

Great-granddaughte r of Sigmund, daughter to British painter Lucien, and brought up by strong women, Esther Freud's new novel is about sisterhood.

Set in the 1970s, My Sister and Other Lovers follows Lucy, her mother and sister as they navigate a nomadic and unconventional upbringing.

Known for the autobiographical Hideous Kinky, which was adapted into a movie starring Kate Winslet, My Sister and other Lovers is Freud's tenth novel.  She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2019.

8.37 Ellen Rykers - Bird of the Year

Kiwis love our birds. Each year, thousands of New Zealanders take part in Forest & Bird's campaign to bring awareness to the challenges these feathery friends face and to see who comes out on top as the coveted Bird of the Year.

From John Oliver and rumours of Russian interference to controversial mammalian infiltration, this beautifully illustrated book profiles more than 80 native birds - and one bat. 

Bird of the Year is written by award-winning journalist and former campaign lead Ellen Rykers. The book swoops into the competition's backstory while showcasing incredible illustrations from more than a dozen top wildlife artists.

9.06 Forever Auckland FC: Dame Julie Christie and Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker

You could say the Ted Lasso of Kiwi Football is arriving on our screens. Forever Auckland FC is a new eight-part docuseries, featuring players, coaches, owners and fans following the birth, rise and behind the scenes machinations of New Zealand's newest football club.

Mihi is joined by producer Dame Julie Christie and Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker.

9.30 Olaide Saddiq's Grenfell Tower documentary

Netflix doco Grenfell traces the events leading up to the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. Drawing from evidence presented in the public inquiry and original journalism and research, the film examines how a series of events in the years leading up to the fire culminated in an avoidable tragedy. It also highlights the ongoing call for justice. 
 
Grenfell explores how key decisions led to the tower becoming a threat to life, the ethical, financial and political issues that played out, the predicament of those at home on the night and those that came to try and save them.  

Director Olaide Sadiq shaped the film with the voices of Grenfell's bereaved and survivors, and those who fought for change long before and after the tragedy.

10.05 Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser

Launched back in 2004, The Biggest Loser put America's obesity problem on the big screen for 18 seasons. Producers looked for overweight people who were desperate to change their lives and take home a $250,000 prize.
 
With contestants working out to the point of being sick, being berated by fitness instructors, pulling two-ton cars, taking part in temptation challenges and gorging on desserts; it trod a fine line.
 
Now a 3-part documentary series, Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser reveals the toxicity behind the scenes, talking to former winners, contestants, team doctors and experts.
 
Saturday Morning speaks with former trainer-turned host, Bob Harper.

 

10.20 Wood Carving with Stephen Myhre

With decades of experience in traditional and contemporary carving, artist Stephen Myhre is known for his mastery in wood, jade and bone.

Stephen's work is heavily inspired by his years travelling the world learning carving techniques from artists in different cultures.

His second book Wood Carving: Tools, Techniques & Concepts is a practical step-by-step guide to creating your own carved treasures. It comes 35 years after his first book Bone Carving was published. 

Stephen speaks with Perlina Lau. 

10.40 Breaking the cycle of transgenerational trauma

We inherit our genes but can we inherit trauma? There's no doubt we can feel it - but can the trauma of previous generations be expressed in our genetic code?

How does a parent's experience of war, ethnic persecution, cultural oppression, state or domestic abuse manifest itself in their child? 

Dr Tara-Lyn Camilleri from Monash University in Melbourne is an expert in transgenerational effects, looking at how the lived experiences of one generation can shape those that follow.

A former Oxford scholar, Dr Camilleri talks to Mihi about the relationship between biology, psychology and our environment and what we can do to break the cycle of transgenerational trauma.

11.06 Charlotte Wood - Stone Yard Devotional 

Australian author Charlotte Wood's latest book Stone Yard Devotional was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Stone Yard Devotional talks about finding inspiration in personal upheaval and the stories that shaped Charlotte's childhood while merging with an entirely invented story about an enclosed religious community. 

Described as "one of Australia's most original and provocative writers" Charlotte Wood is the author of seven novels and three books of non-fiction. She's appearing at Word Christchurch at the end of this month.

11.35 Mother of the Nation - the story of Dame Whina Cooper for a new generation

Written and illustrated specially for children, Mother of the Nation is the true story of an extraordinary woman whose energy and mana drove many successful campaigns for Māori and women's rights.  

Dame Whina Cooper led a famous hīkoi for positive change, uniting thousands of Māori and Pākehā to address injustices, and her mana and determination continue to inspire us today. Dame Whina's legacy lives on 50 years after her famous hīkoi.

The Māori language edition Te Whaea O Te Motu is translated by Stacey Morrison. The author David Hill and illustrator Story-Hemi Morehouse speak with Mihi Forbes.