Nine To Noon for Thursday 15 September 2022

 

09:05 Tech partnership aims to translate news into te reo Maori at scale

A new partnership between a local translation software company and Microsoft aims to bring vastly more daily news in te reo Maori in print and online. Straker Translations is based in Tamaki Makaurau, listed on the Australian stock exchange, and has a growing list of global customers, including a recent contract signed with the United Nations. The business uses AI, machine-learning and human translators to provide translations in a multitude of languages. Founder and CEO Grant Straker (Ngāti Raukawa) says the partnership with Microsoft will enable news media to translate whole articles into te reo Māori at scale. He speaks with Kathryn Ryan, along with Microsoft New Zealand Managing Director Vanessa Sorenson.

09:30 Do young readers deserve better quality books?

Do our middle readers deserve better quality books? Kate De Goldi and Susan Paris believe so. The pair say while there has been a big focus on picture books and young adult fiction, New Zealand's middle readers - children aged 9 to 11 - are being under-served. In recent years they've observed a boom of series imported from abroad, but they're often formulaic and repetitive, usually full of goof-ball humour. In their view, young readers need a wider variety of books that transport them to different places and grow their minds. Kate De Goldi and Susan Paris have co-edited Annual 3: A Miscellany from Aotearoa New Zealand, a collection of stories, comics, poems, crosswords, games and songs - created by some the best New Zealand writers and illustrators - now up to its third edition. Kathryn speaks with Susan Paris, editor of the School Journal for the last 17 years, and Kate De Goldi, an award winning writer of fiction for younger readers, and teaches creative writing in schools.

09:45 UK: 30-hour queue to see the Queen lie in state

UK correspondent Harriet Line joins Kathryn to talk about the massive turnout from the public to pay their respects to the Queen, how King Charles has been coping with his duties in the wake of her death and what will happen at the Queen's funeral on Monday.

10:05 Magnificent mountains through an adventurer's lens

Wānaka-based mountain guide Gavin Lang has not only climbed some of New Zealand's highest mountains and remotest peaks, but as an adventure photographer he's captured their beauty too. His book, Seeking the Light includes a significant collection of modern NZ mountaineering photography. It provides a rare view of the Southern Alps and alpine back country.

10:35 Book review - Lessons by Ian McEwan    

Ralph McAllister reviews Lessons by Ian McEwan, published by Penguin Random House NZ   

10:45 The Reading

The Writing Class, episode 8. Written by Stephanie Johnson, and told by Alison Quigan.

11:05 GDP rises 1.7 percent, recession averted

The economy has posted strong growth supported by consumer spending and tourism. Stats NZ says gross domestic product rose a seasonally adjusted 1.7 percent in the three months ended June, after unexpectedly falling at the start of the year. The number was at the top end of expectations. Kathryn speaks to RNZ's Business Editor Gyles Beckford.

11:10 Tech: The AI that's making fake art look real

Tech commentator Mark Pesce joins Kathryn to talk about fakery - specifically, the very new and exciting art-generating fakery. He looks at the three main platforms - including one that's open source. Why does this technology have the art world concerned? And Mark launches a new podcast today:  "A Brief History of the Metaverse".

Mark Pesce is a futurist, writer, educator and broadcaster. 

11:25 When your child refuses to go to school 

Emotional-based school avoidance is when a child genuinely feels like they can't go to school, often because of anxiety, stress or worry. The impact can be wide-reaching, but particularly affects a child's social and academic progress. The sooner support can be put in place the better, so what are some strategies for supporting your child to return to school? Kathryn gets some answers from Dr Emma Woodward, the founder and director of the Child Psychology Service. 

11:45 Film & TV: The Handmaid's Tale, The Patient, Chef's Table: Pizza

Film and TV correspondent Chris Schulz joins Kathryn to talk about season 5 of The Handmaid's Tale (Neon, Sky), a new miniseries starring Steve Carrell called The Patient (Disney+) and a new season of Chef's Table (Netflix) - focused on the humble pizza.