Nine To Noon for Tuesday 20 April 2021

 

 

09:05 Hunters risk missing out on season as gun licence delays continue

Hunters in New Zealand are becoming increasingly frustrated as months-long delays in the processing of firearm licence renewals is forcing some hunters to sit the season out. Police are working through a backlog of firearm licence applications, with approximately 8,900 in the pipeline - of which 3,200 are licence renewals. They're now asking people to apply for renewals at least four months ahead of the expiry date. But for those already waiting for months, the clock is ticking with the deer roar already well underway and duck shooting season just weeks away from starting on May the first.  Kathryn speaks with Gwyn Thurlow, the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and Bill O'Leary, the deputy chair of New Zealand Fish and Game Council.     

09:25 Renaissance of psychedelic drug research

Could LSD or other psychedelic drugs be used to treat depression, addiction and some mental health disorders?. Associate Professor Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, from the University of Auckland's School of Pharmacy is a Neuro-Psycho-Pharmacologist and an expert in brain imaging. He is leading a new study to look at the effects of small doses of LSD on people's health and wellbeing. He is speaking tonight at University's Raising the Bar event.

09:45 USA correspondent Susan Davis

The US Senate is on the verge of passing hate crimes legislation in response to the rise of violence towards Asian Americans and the Covid 19 vaccine is now available to adults in all 50 states.

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

10:05 Rick Gekoski: Rare books and Darke Matter

Author, Mann Booker prize judge and chair, and rare book dealer Rick Gekoski turned to writing novels at the tender age of seventy-two. Darke Matter is his most recent.  It's the second in a trilogy about James Darke, retired English teacher and book collector; Rick tells Kathryn they have a thing or two in common.  In July, Rick's bringing out a book about book collecting Guarded by Dragons.  Also a bookseller, Gekoski specialises in first editions, manuscripts, archives, and artworks with literary associations. He also provides valuations, and ensures important archives are held in the appropriate place. Rick Gekoski is appearing at the Auckland Writers Festival in May.

10:35 Book Review: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin    

Ralph McAllister reviews The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin, published by Doubleday,  Ralph says: this is a heart rending story of a relationship which is expressed through art and love between two women. First novel from a writer of huge promise.  

10:45 The Reading

How to Hear Classical Music, episode two. Written and read by by Davinia Caddy.

11:05 Rebuilding tourism, Synlait's CEO leaves

Business commentator Rod Oram joins Kathryn to talk about how the reopening of the border will bring a modest flow of international tourists back into the country - but will the industry reinvent itself or go back to old habits? Rod also looks at how Mercury and its partner have been forced to pay more for Tilt renewables and the reasons why Synlait's CEO has called it quits.

11:30 The Kiwi company whose wearable tech is helping elite athletes

A Christchurch-based company has created wearable technology to help elite athletes perform better and recover faster. Myovolt's pads for backs, shoulders, arms and legs, deliver focal vibration treatment to promote circulation and stimulate nerves - and are designed to be comfortable to wear. Steve Leftly is one of the brains behind it, along with long-term colleague Dr Dianne Jones. The pair have also worked on controls for NASA spacesuits and so-called "hot pants" used by the British cycling team at the London 2012 Olympics. Steve joins Kathryn to talk about the technology and the wider application being explored for medical conditions.

11:45 Media commentator Andrew Holden - news outlet diversity

Major appointments around the world see a welcome increase in diversity of major news outlets. This includes, Discovery (owner of TV3 announcing their Australasian leadership team and the Senior Director (News) for New Zealand is Sarah Bristow. Reuters also has its first-ever woman as Editor-in-Chief in the 170-year history of the global news agency.

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.