Good news for Christchurch book lovers! We're going to be having a reading party in your city very soon. As part of the WORD Festival launch we'll be hosting a night in with a good  book at Grater Goods. If you'd like to join us on Monday July 22nd, tickets are available here.

Jesse's Reading Party

Jesse's Reading Party Photo: RNZ

1:15 American 4th of July celebrations down under style

On July 4th 1776 the second continental congress ratified the declaration of independence from the United Kingdom, and founded the United States of America

It also paved the way for Cheetos, crackerjacks, hotdogs and liquid cheese that comes in cans.

There are tens of thousands of American born New Zealand residents around the motu who will be celebrating today...

To mark the occasion we speak to Sandy Graham from American food importer Martha's Backyard and US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission David Gehrenbeck.

Fourth of July celebration vibrant colors, exploding fireworks, glowing heat generated by artificial intelligence

Photo: 123rf

1:25 'Ten Nosey Weka', a book helping to revive Te re Moriori

Te re Moriori, the indigenous language of Rēkohu A.K.A the Chatham Islands is having a revival.

Originally declared extinct in 1931, efforts to revive it started in 2001 with the compilation of a database of words.

Author Kate Preece realised that her husband grew up not even knowing how to count to 10 in the language of his Karapuna.

She decided to do something to change that, and break the cycle for her own children.

So she's added a new children's book to her bibliography. "Ten Noisy Weka".

Ten Nosey Weka book cover

Ten Nosey Weka book cover Photo: supplied

1:35 The demise of DIY and how 'Helping Hands' can be a place to learn those skills

Every couple of weeks or so we check in with builder Stan Scott.

He pops up to give people some tips about DIY projects they have on the go, or gives out some advice on whether they can actually tackle the task at home themselves or should call a professional.

But at the other end of the spectrum the art of DIY looks like it's on the out for younger people, they're not getting the skills passed on to them and they are stuck when it comes to some of the simple things, such as hanging pictures.

Closeup of a skilled carpenter sawing a piece of wood with a table saw while working alone in his woodworking studio

Photo: 123rf

1:45 Great album: Daffodils and Dirt

This week's album for our link 3 winner is Daffodils and Dirt. It's the debut album for the band Sam Morton, which features well known and critically acclaimed actor Samantha Morton on vocals.

2:10 Music Critic: Rachel Ashby

Today Rachel talks to Jesse about tracks from Louisa Nicklin and Manu Taupunga.

2:30 NZ Sporting History: Liberato Cacace

Liberato Cacace captained the All Whites team which just lifted the OFC Nations Cup in Vanuatu - where he also picked up the player of the tournament award.

After a short break, he heads to Europe for the Olympic Games.

Libby, aged 23, is the son of an Italian immigrant Italian immigrant parents who moved to Wellington and opened a restaurant in Petone.

He played youth football in Wellington, then for the Phoenix, before moving to Belgian side Sint-Truidense.

Now, much to his parent's pleasure - Libby now plays football professionally in Italy.

New Zealand’s Libby Cacace in action against Republic of Ireland, 2023.

New Zealand’s Libby Cacace in action against Republic of Ireland, 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

3:10 Link 3

3:15 Solving the World's Problems with Ben Kepes

Today Ben Kepes, business leader, a technology evangelist, an entrepreneur, and commentator, talks about what the end of his Saturday newspaper routine and what that means. 

3:20 History with Dr Grant Morris: The history of selling New Zealand's public assets

Last week the Labour/Green dominated Wellington City Council narrowly voted to sell its share in the Wellington Airport. 

The sale of public assets has been a controversial issue throughout New Zealand's history, especially since 1984. 

Today Dr Grant Morris explores that history.

Roger Douglas selling off state assets in 1988

Roger Douglas selling off state assets in 1988 Photo: TEARA

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness

In 1971, a female architect called Chu Ming Silveira created Brazil's iconic egg-shaped telephone booth, Orelhão.

More than 50,000 of the booths were installed across Brazil and the design was so successful that other countries decided to use it.

Chu Ming was born in China and moved over to Brazil with her family in 1949, following the end of the Chinese Civil War.

At a time when not many architects were women in the country, she was tasked with creating a design for a cheap, light-weight and visually attractive public phone booth.

Chu Ming died in 1997, aged 58. In 2017, Google decided to celebrate her life by creating a doodle.

Her son, Alan Chu, has been sharing his memories of Chu Ming with Matt Pintus.

Chu Ming using an Orelhão phone booth

Chu Ming using an Orelhão phone booth Photo: Chu Ming Silveira’s Collection - Ouvio.arq.br

3:45 The pre-Panel