Nine To Noon for Thursday 7 April 2022

 

 

09:05 AUKUS ramps up: first nuclear subs, now hypersonic missiles

The newly-formed  AUKUS defence pact is expanding its cooperation to high-speed , so called hypersonic missiles. Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States formed the alliance in September last year, announcing the building of a class of nuclear-propelled submarines.Yesterday the three-way grouping announced it would acquire  hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities.Russia used the deadly high-speed missiles in airstrikes last month during the war in Ukraine. In the announcement statement,  the three leaders,  Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson and President Joe Biden , said AUKUS is also expanding further their intelligence-sharing arrangements and that as defence innovation research deepens, they will "seek opportunities to engage allies & close partners".  Kathryn discusses the implications of AUKUS expansion with Dr. Malcolm Davis, Senior Analyst in Defence Strategy and Capability at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Professor Robert Ayson, from the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.

09:30 Watching from space: keeping pests and diseases out of NZ

Space-age efforts are underway to keep pests and diseases, including Covid, out of New Zealand.  MPI's recent Ko tātou Biosecurity Supreme Award Winner is Central Otago-based Xerra Earth Observation Institute.  Xerra is tracking pests and viruses hitch-hiking on vessels here, observing them from up in space, helping the Ministry for Primary Industries perform risk assessments using satellite data.  Xerra's Starboard Maritime Intelligence software gives a top of atmosphere view of Earth, providing complicated real-time analysis of ships' passages to front line biosecurity analysts at MPI.  Senior Scientist at Xerra, Moritz Lehmann speaks with Kathryn.

09:45 UK: More Partygate fines, conversion ban excludes trans people

UK correspondent Matthew Parris in the UK, where more fines have been handed out to partygoers at Number 10 - this time for a gathering on the eve of Prince Philip's funeral, conversion therapy is banned - except for trans people and two Tory MPs face separate sexual harassment and assault allegations.

 

10:05 Microbial jungle: discovery under the Ross Ice Shelf

A newly discovered "microbial jungle" deep under the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica, hundreds of kilometres from the open sea, that thrives without light, has been discovered by Kathryn's guest, Sergio Morales, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and  Immunology at the University of Otago. The Antarctic discovery of an entirely new and minute form of organic life is part of a multi-disciplinary research project involving drillers from Victoria University of Wellington. Sergio's co-project leader Christina Hulbe, Dean of the School of Surveying at the University of Otago,  has led the Ross Ice Shelf project since 2014 and coordinated Sergio's expedition. Christina, a glaciologist who focusses on ice mechanics and dynamics, and whose expertise has helped Sergio's team get samples up through a 400m hole in the ice shelf also joins the conversation.

10:35 Book review: The Stranger Times by CK McDonnell

Louise Ward of Wardinis Bookshop in Havelock North reviews The Stranger Times by CK McDonnell (2nd in This Charming Man series), published by Penguin

10:45 The Reading

Today, a short story - The Walk by Adrienne Frater. 

11:05 Tech: Data collection and kids, the future of NZ's tech sector

Tech commentator Paul Matthews joins Kathryn to talk about kids and data collection. Many companies have brought out kid-friendly apps, but what information are they really collecting and what do they plan to do with it? And the Government has been consulting on a draft Industry Transformation Plan for the tech sector - outlining what the future might look like for tech, and really for the economy as a whole. So where's it all heading?

Paul Matthews is chief executive of CIO Studio.

11:25 Developing kids into great learners - spoiler alert: it starts with the parents

How can parents best develop their children to become great learners? Kathryn speaks with father and son educators John and Kyle Hattie, who've co-authored a book setting out ten steps for encouraging curiosity and intellectual ambition. They say it all starts with parents demonstrating to their child an openness to new ideas and thinking - and not to be afraid of failure. John Hattie is Emeritus Laureate Professor at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne, whose previous books have been translated into 29 languages. Kyle Hattie is a Year 6 Teacher working in a primary school in the northern suburbs of Melbourne - he's also taught in this country. Their book is 10 Steps to Develop Great Learners: Visible Learning for Parents.

11:45 Film & TV: Life & Beth, Kairākau, Slow Horses

Film and TV reviewer Tamar Munch joins Kathryn to talk about Amy Schumer's tender new comedy series Life & Beth (Disney), the second season of reo Māori historical action drama  Kairākau (Māori Television) and darkly comedic spy drama Slow Horses (Apple+) about a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents.

 

Music played in this show

Track: Colours
Artist: Mara TK
Time played: 10:07

 

Track: Royal Blue
Artist: Ladi6
Time played: 10:34

 

Track: Shady Grove

Artist: Yola

Time played: 11:27