Nine To Noon for Tuesday 26 January 2021

 

 

09:05 Fire risk in drought affected Northland & Far North 

Fire and Emergency says fire danger in Northland and the Far North is at a high level with many areas continuing to dry out and long range forecasts suggesting only minimal relief on the horizon. FENZ wildfire specialist Graeme Still says despite what might look like green pastures, the soil underneath is full of dead and dry material which can fuel fires. He's appealing for people to take extra care with any activity that could spark a blaze in hot spot areas. And Federated Farmers Northland, President John Blackwell and the Chair of Rural Support Trust, Neil Bateup tell Kathryn how arid farming communities have fared so far this summer.

09:20 Bikes in Schools: best thing ever

More Porirua children are riding bikes, thanks to a unique local collaboration. A national initiative, Bikes in Schools is gathering pace in six primary schools in Titahi Bay and East Porirua, offering cycling for all, and setting the wheels in motion for benefits beyond biking. Principal of Titahi Bay School Kerry Delaney joins Kathryn Ryan to explain why "it's the best thing that's ever happened" in her school. Also joining, Chris Te'o, founder and leader of USO Bike Ride, a community group supporting Pasifika and Māori families to ride bikes.

09:45 USA correspondent Susan Davis

Susan talks to Kathryn about the early dates of Joe Biden's presidency and the impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.

Susan Davis is a congressional correspondent for NPR and a co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast.

10:05 Wellington CBD burst water pipe update

Water restrictions remain in place in Central Wellington this morning following a waste water pipe bursting yesterday.
The pipe burst at the intersection of Victoria and Mercer Streets. Those roads are now closed, and no traffic will be able to turn onto Harris street from Jervois Quay.  Residents and businesses in the area are asked to keep their water usage to a minimum. Kathryn talks with Wellington Water Chief Executive,Colin Crampton.

10:05 Why we need sleep

Sleep researcher and UCLA Evolutionary Biology Professor Van Savage on the importance of sleeping well. The research team included scientists with expertise in neuroscience, biology, statistics and physics, conducting a comprehensive statistical analysis of sleep, using data from more than 60 sleep studies involving humans and other mammals. Professor Savage says much of his work involves comparative studies across species

10:35 Book review - Best of 2020 - New Zealand books

Hannah August shares her favourite reads from 2020, three New Zealand books:
Sprigs by Brannavan Gnanalingam (Lawrence & Gibson, $35), Rat King Landlord by Murdoch Stephens (Lawrence & Gibson, $20), Fake Baby by Amy McDaid (Penguin Books, $36).

10:45 The Reading

Footprints in the Sand, episode 2. Written and read by Sarah Boddy.

11:05 State of NZ economy, one last reprieve for Tiwai Point

Business commentator Rod Oram joins Kathryn to look at the state of the New Zealand economy heading into 2021 and how this year will be a critical point for the country's transition into a low carbon, wealth-generating, sustainable economy. And New Zealand will keep producing aluminium until the end of 2024 thanks to the deal reached between Rio Tinto and the government. 

11:30 What does it mean to be a modern Kiwi man?

11:45 Media commentator Andrew Holden

Will this be a ground-breaking year for digital media?. In light of the ongoing fallout from the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 - not just the banning of Trump from Twitter and Facebook, and Amazon kicking Parler off its app suite, but what will this mean for social media, and how they or Governments control speech?.

Andrew Holden is a journalist for more than 30 years including five as Editor of The Press (in Christchurch) and four as Editor-in-Chief of The Age in Melbourne. 

Music played in this show

9:30 Summer Girl by HAIM 

9.45 All Your Ships Have Sailed by Troy Kingi