Sunday Morning for Sunday 29 November 2020

10.35 Calling Home: Melanie Dower in Finland

Despite the often beautiful weather, many New Zealanders still like to celebrate Christmas here much as they do in the northern hemisphere, with a glazed ham, comforting puddings and Christmas cards adorned with pictures of robins in snowy landscapes. In Finland though, it's the real thing. Reindeer, snow and mulled wine...and that's where New Zealander Melanie Dower is calling home from.

 

7:10 Hugo Porta on Los Pumas' victory over the All Blacks 

Los Pumas rugby legend and Laureus World Sport Academy member Hugo Porta was dubbed the 'magician of Argentine rugby' during his storied 19-year international career, though he was never able to taste victory over the All Blacks in seven attempts. He joins the show to look back on Argentina's historic victory over the All Blacks and discuss the passing of Argentine football great Diego Maradona, who died earlier this week at 60. 

7:18 Age no barrier to successful weight loss, study shows 

A new study from the University of Warwick has concluded that lifestyle changes to manage weight loss are effective in reducing obesity regardless of age, thus dispelling myths about effectiveness of weight loss in older people. Lead author Dr Thomas Barber of Warwick Medical School is with us to discuss.  

7.32 The House

A weekly digest of the events in Parliament with Daniela Maoate-Cox and Phil Smith. The 53rd Parliament has officially opened over two days of ceremony in Wellington. The House will give an overview of how it was opened including the sometimes odd traditions that go with it. 

7:45 Is running or walking better for you? 

We all know the benefits of exercise are enormous. But do we need to run to get the best physical returns, or can we get a sufficient dose just from walking in the time we have to exercise? In a recent piece in New Scientist, sports engineer Steve Haake pitted running against walking and dispelled a few myths along the way. 

8:10 Calling Home: Corinne Ambler in Budapest, Hungary

Corrine Ambler reckons Budapest is the most beautiful city in Europe, nestled on the Danube river and full of culture, history, great food and fascinating traditions. She has lived there for the last few years while working for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She is Calling Home this week to tell us about the incredible city - and her experience having Covid-19 while living in Hungary.

8:33 Smartphone screen time linked to impulsivity 

New analysis from a study out of Freie Universität in Berlin adds to evidence that people who spent more time on their phones -- particularly on gaming or social media apps -- are more likely to reject larger, delayed rewards in favour of smaller, immediate rewards. Study co-author Tim van Endert explains. 

9:06 Mediawatch

Is local news as a social enterprise an idea whose time has come? One South Island news outlet is giving it a go and trying to recruit readers as owners. Also: mixed message from the opposition on media bias - and: do sightings of strange and mysterious animals really belong in the news? 

9:37 Clarke Gayford on Stewart Island's monster sharks 

The global lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has quietened the oceans and is luring some of New Zealand's biggest great whites out of hiding. Marine filmmaker Clarke Gayford teamed up with shark expert Kina Scollay just off Stewart Island to find out where the big sharks - some as big as 5m long - are located and what are they doing here. The end result, Shark Lockdown, airs tonight at 7:30pm on Discovery as part of its Shark Week coverage.  

10:08 Lifting the lid on New Zealand's methamphetamine underbelly 

New Zealand now has one of the most lucrative illicit drug markets in the world. In his new book, Gangland, investigative reporter Jared Savage explores the country's growing underbelly of organised crime and violent gangs, paying particular attention to the constantly-growing methamphetamine trade. Jared is with us to talk about the new book and some of the most intriguing cases he has covered as a reporter. 

10:40 'We're effectively elderly flower throwers' 

New Zealand's current poet laureate David Eggleton and fellow bard Steve Thomas have been winding their way around the country for their Say It With Flowers tour, which touches on "taboo subjects, such as politics, sport and religion with wit and topicality". We catch up with Steve as the pair make their way to Barrytown for the final show of the tour.

11:05 The secret to living to well into your 90s (or older) 

Neurologist and professor at the University of California Irvine, Dr Claudia Kawas is searching for the secrets to living a longer and healthier life. Kawas and her team have been running a major study of ageing California residents for more than two decades. She joins the show to discuss the study and share some of the secrets that can lead to having a longer and more active life. 

11:30 New travel magazine set to showcase our own backyard

With travel restrictions currently in place because of Covid-19, it's the perfect time to be exploring our own backyard. Newly launched magazine Scout is set to showcase the beauty and brilliance of Aotearoa, and at the helm is editor Sarah-Kate Lynch - who was the travel editor for NZ Woman's Day before Bauer shut it down earlier this year. She joins the show to discuss the new venture, as well as her television show The Sounds.