Afternoons for Wednesday 18 May 2022

 

1:20 Defence force struggling to recruit in a tight job market

The New Zealand Defence Force is facing it's very own battle; trying to attract and keep people in the services Army, Air Force and the Navy.

When times are tough, and people need job security, the NZDF has no problem recruiting people.  It's seen as a stable occupation and is the biggest education provider in the country. 

But at the moment with a really tight job market, recruitment is down.  

Royal New Zealand Air Force Flight Lieutenant Emma Raven talks to Jesse about how they're trying to entice young people, particularly women into a defence force career with them.

1:30 Why stand alone butchers are disappearing

A lot has been spoken about the demise of the local butcher. 

During the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, it got pretty tough for some operators.

But  one Blenheim butcher says his business is booming.  

Mike Newman did his apprenticeship in 1976 at Meaters of Marlborough. He then bought the business in 1988.  There were 24 butcheries in the South Island town then, now there are just two. He talks to Jesse.

1:40 Rockquest turns 35!

A big milestone for Rockquest!  

The event, which has involved more than 11 thousand school students across more than 700 schools is celebrating 35 years.

It also launched the career of many big names like Bic Runga, Julia Deans, Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding and more.

A special event is being planned in Nelson for tomorrow night to celebrate the milestone,  co-founder and director Pete Rainy talks to Jesse about what they've got planned.

1:50 "Scratched: Aotearoa's Lost Sporting Legends" back for a third season

The award winning web series Scratched: Aotearoa's Lost Sporting Legends  has returned for the third season on The Spinoff,  celebrating five more incredible New Zealand athletes who maybe didn't receive the spotlight they deserved.

The last two seasons tracked down some great sporting heroes, including Precious MacKenizie, Anne Audain and Meda MacKenzie.

Natalie Wilson is the series producer, and has directed the first episode with triathlete Erin Baker. She talks to Jesse about the continued success of Scratched.

2.12 Podcast Critic: Caitlin Cherry

Caitlin talks about the NBC podcast The Thing about Helen and Olga and How to Fail with Elizabeth Day

2:25 Bookmarks with Jordan Hamel

This week's guest is a New Zealand Poetry champion,co-editor of the climate change anthology, No Other Place to Stand and who's debut collection, is about to hit shelves today. 

Jordan Hamel talks to Jesse about his work 'Everyone is Everyone Except You', and what he likes to read, watch and listen to in his spare time.

3:10 Why puzzles are more than just a hobby

Puzzles aren't just a fun pastime, they can save the world. At least AJ Jacobs thinks so. He's a lifelong lover of crosswords, jigsaws mazes, riddles and sudoku. He says brain teasers exercise the mind, and unite people around a common goal.  He sets out to solve one of the greatest riddles of all; why do we love puzzles so much in his new book The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

This week Our Changing World goes seaweed sample collecting with a PhD student researching the importance of a native red algae in the Otago Habour.

3:45 The Panel with Ruth Money and Martin Bosley