Nine To Noon for Friday 24 February 2023

 

 

09:05 Forestry inquiry welcomed by sector groups

After the destruction caused by slash during last week's cyclone,  and repeated calls from locals, farmers and environmental groups,  the government yesterday announced a ministerial inquiry. The Forestry Minister Stuart Nash had previously rejected calls for an inquiry and just last month suggested that forestry companies should "sit down with key stakeholders". Gisborne resident and former government minister Hekia Parata will chair the inquiry. Susie speaks with Hera Ngata-Gibson from the group Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti which includes farmers and horticulturalists, Māori landowners and conservation workers. Also Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor who has long been calling for a full inquiry into forestry practices.

09:39 Russia's invasion of Ukraine  - one year on

BBC's Ukraine Correspondent James Waterhouse, based in Kyiv, speaks with Susie Ferguson on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has paid tribute to all those who have died since the war with Russia began last February. What does the future hold?

09:40 Explainer: What is a bailey bridge?

We're heard a lot about bailey bridges in the last month since cyclones Hale and Gabrielle. With multiple bridges washed out, particularly in Tairawhiti and Hawkes Bay - a temporary bridge is the best way to reconnect cut-off communities. So what is a bailey bridge and what's involved in installing one? Kim Bevins is with Bridge IT NZ - which specialises in building small to medium size bridges.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific Journalist Koroi Hawkins on Pacific leaders meeting in Fiji to discuss and resolve issues affecting regional unity, petrol pumps in Port Morseby becoming operational again and families of four missing Papua New Guinea fishermen are holding out hope for their safe return

10:05 AI screens patients for melanoma

An artificial intelligence programme has been created by MoleMap to be used by GPs, nurses and technicians to screen patients for melanoma, with an accuracy rate of over 90 percent, almost as accurate as a specialist. The technology will map a patient's suspicious lesions and determine whether they are malignant or benign, and should be referred to a specialist. It's hoped the A.I could help reduce the workload for dermatologists and skin cancer doctors, of which there is a chronic shortage in New Zealand. At a population level, New Zealand has about half the number of specialists as Australia. Skin cancer is the country's most common cancer, and New Zealand has the world's highest death rate from melanoma. Getting a fast diagnosis is vital, as melanoma can be cured in 98 percent of cases if diagnosed early. Susie speaks to MoleMap's Clinical Team Lead Lara Wild.

 

10:35 Book review: Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia by David Graeber

Olly Clifton of Unity Books Auckland reviews Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia by David Graeber, published by Penguin Random House

10:45 Around the motu : Alisha Evans in Tauranga

Alisha talks to Susie Ferguson about council plans that will displace sports clubs from their century old homes. And one of the district's parks is getting a name change from Maungatapu park to Ōpūpū - Rotary Park.

Alisha Evans Local Democracy reporter for the Western Bay of Plenty, based at Sun Media.

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Running Club is a new collaboration between New Brighton musician Blair Parkes (The LEDs/ All Fall Down/ Saturations) and Auckland's Stephen Reay (The Subliminals/ Vor Stellan ). We'll hear their first joint single today, alongside a song from Blair Parkes' new solo EP. After that, a new song from Canadian folk-pop legend Andy Shauf plus a slice of "Compton house" from Californian rapper/ producer, Channel Tres. 

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam takes a squint at the boardroom and back office dramas over who the new All Blacks coach will be - and how this overshadows actual sport. He also looks at what to expect from the start of the mens and women's Super Rugby seasons, the Football Ferns World Cup warm-up form and the Black Caps attempt to save face at the Basin.

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Irene Pink and Pinky Agnew end the week with a few laughs, including about the woman who shattered a $42k USD balloon dog sculpture - and how collectors want to buy the shards.