Afternoons for Monday 11 November 2024

1:15 Over $100k raised in 24 hours for Auckland foodbank

Last week it was reported that former heavyweight boxer Dave Letele's South Auckland foodbank would not have enough stock to last until Christmas. 

Thousands of dollars worth of food was ruined when a freezer was intentionally turned off. But in true Kiwi community fashion, the day has been saved. 

Jesse talks to Dave Letele.

1.25 All the data that's fit to eat

The last 12 months have not been easy for our fresh produce producers, says United Fresh in its Fresh Facts 2024 report.

Challenges caused by weather events, plus reliance on ailing transport infratructure - including Kiwi Rail's Inter Island Ferry Service - have hampered the industry's ability to recover post-Covid. 

Around the motu, there was a bumper crop of kūmara this year in the Far North after devestating floods in 2022. 

Dr Hans Maurer is chair of the technical advisory group at United Fresh. He says a data-driven approach is vital if the industry is to have a fruitful future. 

1.35 A life serving others in warzones

We all like to think we've touched the lives of others in some way, but it's hard to go past Reverend Barbara Walker.

For two decades she delivered babies, helped to build hospitals and offered words of comfort to the sick, injured and scared, amid civil war and genocide.

Barb as she likes to be known, was born in Southland but her job as a crisis aid worker took her to Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

2:10 TV Critic: Dune: Prophecy and The Simpsons Halloween Special

Our TV critic Dominic Corry reviews the spinoff Dune: Prophecy, the new prequel series to the Dune movies, which premieres on NEON next Monday.  He also checks in on The Simpsons which just aired their latest Halloween special episode.

2:20 Information Center Cold Call: Kaitaia

Every week to call an information center, out of the blue and at random. He never knows what he'll get or who he'll speak to. This week; Far North Information Center, Kaitaia. 

2.30 Expert Feature: how to make TV

Greenstone TV is the production company behind a lot of notable television: Highway Patrol, Honey Warz, Kid Sister, Coast Watch, Border Patrol, Antarctica from Above, Go South, My life is Murder and many, many more. 

Rachel Antony is the CEO of Greenstone TV, she's been with the company since 1999, working first as a researcher. She is in the Auckland studio with Jesse, ready to answer your questions about TV and how to make it. Get your questions in on 2101. 

3:10 Feature interview:  Leonard Cohen: The Man Who Saw the Angels Fall

If genius is the ability to see things exactly as they are, singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen fits the bill according to Professor Christophe Lebold. For 20 years, Lebold has traveled in Cohen's footsteps and poured over his writing. The two became friends after a chance meeting and spent time together before Cohen's death.

In a biography that is part analysis, part ode to the beloved troubadour, Lebold excavates how the man and his music shines a light in the darkest places. The biography is called Leonard Cohen: The Man Who Saw the Angels Fall.

3:35 Here Now

This week on Here Now, Kadambari Raghukumar is out exploring Canterbury's early Polish community and their skills of converting bogs to fertile vegetable gardens.

3:45 The pre-Panel