Afternoons for Thursday 5 May 2022

1:15 NZ Spoken word performers headed to Canada

A trio that combines spoken word with classical accompaniment has been invited to perform at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

Taioro will premiere a brand new work entitled 'Taioro ki te Ao' with the performance.

To tell Jesse about it, the group's spoken word poet Sharn Maree joins Jesse on air.

1:30 Save Our Seeds project getting a lot of support

The Wairoa District has endured the worst flooding its seen for years, and its had a massive impact on their ability to plant and harvest food.  

So, the Koanga Institute launched an appeal called 'Save our Seeds', which recently surpassed its 25,000 dollar goal.

Kay Baxter is the institute's co-founder, she talks to Jesse about their project.

1:40 Connection remote residents with renewable energy

84 percent of New Zealand's electricity comes from renewable sources, but for those living in remote places, even getting on the grid can be a challenge.

Electrical engineer Soheil Mohseni is using artificial intelligence to help overcome this challenge, chiefly on Stewart Island.

Soheil is currently undertaking his postdoctoral studies in Sustainable Energy at Victoria University, he talks to Jesse.

1:45 Great album: Woodenhead original soundtrack and Woodenhead Reimagined

The double album vinyl release includes the original soundtrack and an EP of new 'Reimagined' songs plus bonus tracks available on streaming services. Marc Chesterman has charged the talents of outstanding NZ musicians to create new music, including Charlotte Yates, epsilon-blue, Scott Mannion and Mimi Gilbert. Each song was inspired by the soundtrack and music of the film 'Woodenhead'. Each artist had an open brief with freedom to pursue their own diverse ideas. So, 'Woodenhead Reimagined' has come to life.

2:10 Music Critic: Matthew Crawley

Today Matthew Crawley talks to Jesse about music from Karl Blau, and the release of the double album Woodenhead original soundtrack and Woodenhead Reimagined.

2:25 NZ Sporting History: Softball's Mark Sorenson

Today's guest on NZ Sporting History is considered to be part of Softball Royalty

That is a then 20-year-old Mark Sorenson impressing an American commentator at a 1988 game between the visiting Penn Corp side and NZ.

The following year he was appointed Black Sox Captain, a position he held until 2001 and re-visited in 2004.

During that time he led the team to three successive victories in the World Championships in 1996, 2000 and 2004 before retiring in 2007.

Softball remains central to his life - he was appointed Black Sox coach in 2013, a position he still holds.

And 2022 is an important year for Softball in Aotearoa too - Auckland is hosting the Men's World cup at the end of the year after some Covid-related postponements.

3:10 Link 3

3:15 Your Money with Mary Holm 

Today Mary Holm answers a list of questions from a listener regarding when it's a good idea to suspend Kiwisaver payments.

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness

In the light of the news suggesting that the US Supreme Court may be about to overturn Roe vs Wade, we go back to 1973 and the original decision to make abortion legal in America. In 2012, Chloe Hadjimatheou spoke to Sarah Weddington, a young lawyer who brought the case shortly after she'd finished law school in Texas. Sarah Waddington died in December 2021.

3:45 The Panel with Anjum Rahman and Mark Knoff Thomas