Afternoons for Tuesday 20 February 2024

1:15 Why removing kina is restoring the balance in marine ecosystems

In May 2022, divers removed almost 10,000 Kina from four sites in the Marlborough sounds.

No, they weren't feeling particularly peckish that day. It's actually a project -  led by University of Auckland PHD student Dallas Lafont -  to study the impact Kina are having on our marine ecosystem.

To tell us more about why the Kina population is out of control, and the impact it's having, Dallas speaks to Mark.

1:25 Can wooden satellites help reduce 'space junk'?

Japan is launching the world's first wooden satellite to tackle space pollution. A timber satellite has been built by Japanese researchers in Kyoto. It's called LingoSat.

They have carried out lab tests in re-created space conditions. Head researcher Koji Murata told The Guradian they were astounded by wood's ability to withstand such conditions.

So, could wooden satellites be the future of spacecraft?

Astrophysicist Dr Sara Webb, a lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology speaks to Mark.

1:35 A Summer on the ice: Antarctica is recruiting now

Have you ever wanted to work in Antarctica? Antarctica New Zealand is recruiting 40 people for the 2024/2025 season.

The roles range from carpenter to chef, and are crucial to scientific research and conservation efforts.

We head to the ice to hear more about what it takes to be part of the team.

1:45  Recovering lost taonga after 200 years

After being declared forever lost, eight treasured Māori whakairo rākau (traditional wood carvings) have been rediscovered in museums across the world.

Deidre Brown, a professor at Auckland University's School of architecture, went on an 8 year hunt for the lost whakairo rākau.

The missing whakairo rākau were first acquired by the Christchurch Missionary Society in 1823. They are the earliest carvings to have their meanings explained by Māori and recorded in text.

Professor Deidre Brown speaks to Mark.

2:10 Book Critic: Dominic Hoey

Today Dominic talks to Mark about a fascinating book written by Naomi Klein.

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster

Brad Foster provides an update on asbestos found in mulch in parks and gardens around Sydney, Taylor Swift in town, and an embarrassing dinner outing for Pink. He also reports on the search continuing for a missing Ballarat mum, Sydney's severe storm yesterday, and Australia's upcoming cricket tour of New Zealand.

2:30 Music feature: Pixie Williams, her life and musical legacy

On the 2nd and 3rd of March the NZ Fringe Festival brings "The New Blue: A Portrait Of Pixie Williams" to Wellington's Hannah Playhouse.

The show celebrates the life and work of our first homegrown popstar Pixie Williams.

She is the voice behind the first record wholly produced in Aotearoa: The 1949 hit "Blue Smoke".

Blue Smoke went on to become triple platinum, selling over 50,000 copies, catapulting Pixie to the top of the charts.

The follow up "Let's Talk It Over" was also a hit... But despite that she never directly made a single cent from either recording.

To talk us through the show, Pixie's work, and the legacy of Aotearoan artists she opened the door for, we speak to her nephew, Ian Taylor.

3:10 Can mutant worms unlock the secret of ageing?

Everyone ages. There's a multi billion dollar industry aimed at trying to stop it. 

Dr Coleen Murphy works to understand it first. She's a professor of genomics and molecular biology at Princeton where they unlock the mysteries of aging with an unlikely ally: mutant worms. 

They're helping scientists figure out what's happening to our bodies as we get older and how we can slow it down. How We Age, the Science of Longevity.

3:30 Spoken Feature: Healthy or Hoax with Stacey Morrison

Coming up, we've got Healthy or Hoax. Stacey Morrison hosts this series which puts health and wellness trends to the test. This week she's looking into light therapy.

3:45 The Panel with Andie McCombs and Jenni Giblin