Nine To Noon for Monday 16 November 2020

 

 

09:05 Calls for DOC to refocus on backyard recreation  

A backcountry expert is calling for a fundamental rethink at the Department of Conservation - away from a focus overseas visitors, towards better serving growing numbers of New Zealanders getting into outdoor recreation. Peter Wilson is on the board of the Back Country Trust, a former President and current board member of Federated Mountain Clubs, on the board of the Awakino Ski Field and a life member of the Otago University Tramping Club. He says it's great that increasing numbers of New Zealanders are out exploring their own backyard, but the Conservation Department needs to change its focus accordingly. He talks with Kathryn, along with Department of Conservation Director of Heritage and Visitors Steve Taylor, and Dr Stephen Espiner, who is leading a Lincoln University study into how lockdown has affected New Zealanders' outdoor recreation and domestic tourism. 

09:20 Photopharmacology 'lighting the way' for new treatments

Using light to activate or deactivate drugs, photopharmacology, is a relatively new area of medicinal chemistry, with a key advantage being the high degree of control over the time and place where targeting occurs. That's exciting scientists because of the potential for reducing the toxic side effects caused by poor selectivity of drugs. Auckland University of Technology's Dr Cassandra Fleming has just been awarded a Marsden Fast Start research grant to investigate  'light-responsive'  drug delivery with a focus on an important drug target for Alzheimer's disease, an enzyme called GSK-3.

09:45 South America correspondent Katy Watson 

Katy talks to Kathryn from Sao Paulo, where Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro is yet to congratulate US President-elect, Joe Biden. And in Peru, where President Martin Vizcarra has been impeached by congress over corruption allegations. Two people have died in clashes in Lima between protesters angry at his impeachment and the police.

10:05 Kiwi journalist Linda Collins on breaking the suicide taboo

New Zealander Linda Collins has lived every parent's worst nightmare - the death by suicide of her 17-year-old daughter. Her life was shattered when she woke one Monday morning to find her daughter Victoria's bed in their Singapore apartment was empty. In the weeks and months that followed, Linda and her husband Malcolm McLeod would learn more about their daughter through her journals, piecing together her unhappiness and increased fixation with committing suicide. Linda has written a book about what happened called Loss Adjustment, which she hopes will open up a conversation about suicide.
 

If you or someone you know is affected by this story, you can get more information on the Mental Health Foundation's website -  or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Here are some support options:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 - available 24/7
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) - available 24/7
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 - available 24/7
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 - available 24/7
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 - 1pm to 10pm weekdays, 3pm to 10pm weekends
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 - available 24/7

10:35 Book review - The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

Rae McGregor reviews The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor, published by Hachette.

10:45 The Reading

Hobsons' Choices, part one of a five-part series by David Hill.

11:05 Political commentators Jones & Morten

Neale, Brigitte and Kathryn discuss housing and the huge price rises, National's shadow cabinet and the pressure the Greens will be putting on Labour.

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of Capital Government Relations.

Brigitte Morten is a senior consultant with public and commercial law firm Franks & Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government. 
 

11.20 Little Beauties - freeze dried fruit dipped in chocolate

Little Beauties is a Nelson-based company producing handy resealable bags of freeze-dried slices of sungold kiwifruit and feijoa and whole boysenberries, either nude, or pre-dipped in white or dark chocolate. Founder of Little Beauties, Ian Watsney joins Kathryn along with fellow director and CEO Rob Simsic, an active advocate for food produced in the Marlborough region and who is helping co-ordinate a series of foodie events for the region's usually busy summer period.

11:45 What to look for when buying an apartment

More and more apartments are being built; Bill McKay continues his tips on buying in the second of a two-part series. There is a lot of advice on-line, much of it good, but mainly related to terminology, legalities and, body corporates. But Bill says it's also important prospective buyers focus on design.

Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.