09:05 Fears over drugs shortages

Horizontal view of pharmacist working in pharmacy

Photo: 123RF

Medication shortages because of Covid-19 are affecting tens of thousands of patients, with no clear timeline for a return to normal. Drugs in short supply include four commonly used contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy, an inhaler for Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease sufferers, blood pressure medications and anti - parkinsons drugs. The Royal College of GPs says is calling on Pharmac to fund some medications that are in plentiful supply but are not currently funded and the Pharmaceutical Society says it is worried about the situation and how long it might last. Rhiannon Braund is the Pharmaceutical Society's Vice President and is leading work on access to and safe use of medicines at the University of Otago's Pharmacovigilance Centre. Dr Bryan Betty is Medical Director of the Royal College of GPS, formerly the Deputy Medical Director for Pharmac.

09:25 ASMR - a 'brain-gasm' caused by sounds, sights, or touch 

ASMR artist 'Gentle Whispering'

ASMR artist 'Gentle Whispering' Photo: Screen capture

Autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR, is a unique sensation some people have when they see, hear, or feel certain triggers. These could be whispering or other sounds, delicate hand movements, and light touch. Dr Giulia Peorio is an expert in the phenomenon - she and her team at the University of Essex in England have done groundbreaking research which revealed ASMR can reduce one's heart rate. 

 

09:45 Fire at Wellington airport

Wellington Airport evacuation

Photo: RNZ / Caitlin Cherry

Hundreds of passengers at Wellington airport have just been let back in after an evacation due to a fire - thought to have started in a dodgy light fitting. The fire service has just given the green light for people to reenter the terminal but delays are expected. RNZ's Caitlin Cherry is there.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor

A Covid-19 testing point in Guam

A Covid-19 testing point in Guam Photo: Guam Governor's Office

Tahiti and Guam are feeling the brunt of Covid infection in the Pacific with death tolls rising, and Fiji police will not be conducting further investigations into a stoush involving Chinese and Taiwanese representatives in Suva.

RNZ Pacific's Team Leader, Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor 

10:05 Polynesian Panther Melani Anae

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Photo: Supplied

A new book in the BWB Texts series highlighting a period of Auckland's late 20th century history The Platform by Melani Anae explores the legacy of the Polynesian Panthers.  It's also the author's personal story.  Melani is New Zealand-born Samoan, long fascinated by her own culture and history.  As a seventeen year-old she snuck out of her parent's Grey Lynn house to join a meeting of the Polynesian Panther party and joined a battle for validation, and against the discrimination and racism of the 1970s.  Melani  is Senior Lecturer and Director of Research at the Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland. She tells Kathryn Ryan about her new book.

10:35 Book review - Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass by Lana Del Ray

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Photo: Simon & Schuster

Chris Tse reviews Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass by Lana Del Ray. Published by Simon & Schuster.

10:45 The Reading

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Mysterious London collective Sault has put out four albums over the past 18 months, two of them double LPs. We’ll hear two tracks from the band today, alongside a single from bedroom pop auteur Gareth Thomas and a tribute track to the late, great Jamaican producer, Bunny Lee, who died earlier this month.

Gareth Thomas

Gareth Thomas Photo: Supplied

11:30 Sports commentator Dana Johannsen

Big changes are coming at Sport NZ, with Peter Miskimmin's replacement due to be announced soon. Dana also talks to Kathryn about the Silver Ferns versus the NZ men game and three challengers for the America's Cup are now out on the water in Auckland.

America's Cup challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team christen and launch their second AC75 at their Base in Aucklands Viaduct Harbour,

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Stuff National Correspondent specialising in sport, Dana Johanssen

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Te Radar and Irene Pink tell us about a mask for bacon fans.

Sizzling hot bacon pieces in a cast iron skillet

Photo: 123RF

Music played in this show

Track: Our Tomorrows

Artist: Rustin Man

Time: 9.40