Nine To Noon for Friday 27 January 2023

 

09:05 300,000 cases of long Covid: study

New research conducted for the Ministry of Health estimates around 300 thousand New Zealanders may have Long Covid, and reccomends the establishment of dedicated long Covid clinics around the country. The survey of nearly 1000 people was conducted for the Ministry by Victoria University epidemologist Dr Mona Jeffreys and Senior Māori Researcher Dr Lynn Russell. It found 22 per cent of participants had symptoms of long covid, and that Maori, Pasifika and people with disabilities in particular experienced barriers to primary healthcare. Their report also calls for long Covid to be recognised as a disability and for employers to provide sick leave that enables people to stay at home while they are unwell. Kathryn speaks with co-lead investigator and epidemiologist Dr Mona Jeffreys.
 

09:05 Spermageddon: research - cocktail of chemicals causing decline in sperm health

New research reveals the role everyday items such milk cartons and painkillers play in declining sperm health.  Infertility is a global health problem.  It's estimated one in six couples have difficulties conceiving, with male fertility problems accounting for almost half of all cases. Sperm counts are reported to be falling by around 1.1% per year, with an overall decline of 51.6% in 45 years. And, the rate of decline has doubled since 2000. Kathryn is joined by leading British expert in the field Professor Andreas Kortenkamp to explain the possible causes for semen quality decline, and the latest research into exposure to chemicals. Until now, studies into male infertility and chemical exposures have focused on phthalates. Latest research reveals bisphenols, polychlorinated dioxins and paracetamol affect infertility more.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

Koroi canvasses a range of Pacific issues, with the aftermath of the Fiji election, a big year ahead for the 
lucrative Pacific tuna industry, why Cook Islands tourism is in a bit of a slump and the Pacific Islands Forum secretary general Henry Puna interested in a second term.

RNZ Pacific's journalist Koroi Hawkins. 

10:05  Furnishing rooms and changing lives 

The philanthropic organisation, Woven Earth, offers practical support to families surviving  domestic violence, including gifting furniture, household items and toys. Aucklander Kerryn Thrupp founded Woven Earth three years ago and since then 400 families have been helped to set up home and start again. She says the idea for the organisation came to her when she was staying at a Womens Refuge in Australia with her two young children after fleeing abuse.

10:35 Book review: Best of Unity Books 2022: Guest at the Feast: Essays by Colm Toibin; Exiles: Three Island Journeys by William Atkins, and Edge of the Plain - How Borders Make & Break Our World by James Crawford

Tilly Lloyd of Unity Books Wellington reviews her favourite books from last year: Guest at the Feast: Essays by Colm Toibin, published by Picador; Exiles: Three Island Journeys by William Atkins, published by Faber, and Edge of the Plain - How Borders Make & Break Our World by James Crawford, published by Canongate

10:45 Around the motu : David Hill in North Canterbury

Local Democracy Reporter David Hill talks to Kathryn about North Canterbury's building boom slowing down, dark sky and astronomy initiatives in the area and some interesting local developments in education.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Today’s music session is a diverse pick’n’mix of tracks Grant Smithies stumbled across during the Xmas break, ranging from the op-shop ambient of Panchinko to the Jamaican funk of Jackie Mittoo, from a dusty 40 year old single by Sydney band The Church to the Afrobeat-inspired racket of NYC’s Parquet Courts.  

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman : How fine is the line between heroes and villains in sport?

Sam looks into some unexpected comebacks, code-wide uprisings and turning points for pivotal figures in the sporting landscape this week. This includes the amazing story of rower, cyclist, Hamish Bond. Arguably he's one of the country's most competitive athletes and he's now turning out for Team NZ to defend the America's Cup in 2024.

11:45 The week that was

Te Radar and Elisabeth with humour to round off the week ,including the story of the library book which was more than 50 years overdue.