Afternoons for Thursday 9 February 2023

1:15 New technology developed for eye disease early detection

A new software being developed at the University of Canterbury could lead to significant improvements in the diagnosis of eye problems amongst many other diseases.

Chris Maliszewski and his wife have developed the technology together, hoping to iron out some glaring flaws in the current methods of detection.

They've co-founded a company called PIJ Tech, which they will soon take to a conference in Germany to promote further.

UC PHD student Chris Maliszewski talks to Jesse.

1:25 8 year old Jiu-Jistu NZer off to world competition

While most 8 years across the country will be preparing for their school athletics day, Knox Vertiainen is training to represent New Zealand at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition in Las Vegas.

Only three years into the sport Knox placed first among all 5-16 year olds by points.

In his first competition he stood on the podium 18 times.

Now he's preparing for his first international competition as well as fundraising through give-a-little to get there.

1:35 Grammys putting a spotlight on organ donation

The Grammy Awards were held on Monday and perhaps the most surprising moment of the night was Bonnie Raitt's win the Song of the Year category.

In a night that otherwise shined a spotlight on artists like Beyonce and Harry Styles, many, including Bonnie herself,
were shocked to see the legendary blues musician beat them all for the major award.

Her song 'Just Like That' highlights the generosity of organ donors.

To talk about her reaction to the song and its message Kidney Health New Zealand general manager Traci Stanbury talks to Jesse.

1:45 Great album: Legend (compilation) Bob Marley and the Wailers

Today's link 3 winner will be getting a vinyl copy of a hugely popular album when it was release.

Legend is a compilation best of album from Bob Marley and the Wailers and went 20 times platinum in New Zealand when it was released in 1984!

It would become one of the all-time bestselling compilations around the world by any artist.

Worldwide, Legend has become one of the most durable compilations there's ever been, with global sales estimated at more than 28 million.

2:10 Music Critic: Dianne Swann

Today Dianne's talking to Jesse about the 4th solo album from Supergrass Frontman Gaz Coombes, Turn the Car Around.

The album was released mid January following the conclusion of the Supergrass reunion tour which lasted for 3 years.

She plays two tracks from the album, Long Live The Strange and This Love.

2:25 NZ Sporting History with Eliza McCartney

Today on New Zealand Sporting History we're celebrating a more recent success story by talking to one of our youngest Olympic medalists.

Pole vaulter Eliza McCartney first picked up the sport at the age of 13 and six years later became the youngest Olympic medalist in the history of the women's pole vault event.

Injuries sadly kept her sidelines for the 2020 Olympic Games, but just a few weeks ago she made her competition comeback, winning the Potts Classic event in Hastings.

Eliza joins Jesse in the studio to talk about her incredible success so far and what lies ahead.

3:10 Link 3

3:15 Solving the World's Problems with Steve Wyn-Harris

Today Steve Wyn-Harris talks to Jesse about Australian research showing the impact the Tonga eruption is having on rain fall there.

He wonders if that might something that's affecting our weather systems as well.

3:20 History with Dr Grant Morris: The history of craft beer in NZ

One of the highlights of Dr Grant Morris' summer break was going on a tour of a craft beer brewery. 

NZ has a long history of producing beer but what about the history of producing craft beer? 

Today he takes Jesse on a journey through that history.

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness

Cardinal Albino Luciani became Pope John Paul I on 26 August 1978. He died unexpectedly 33 days later. He was discovered in the early morning lying on his bed, a collection of sermons in his hand. He was considered an excellent communicator, and his warm personality earned him the nickname of "the smiling Pope". But his death shook the Catholic Church. Rebecca Kesby spoke to Cardinal Beniamino Stella who knew him well.

3:45 The Panel with Ali Jones and Andrew Hoggard