Nine To Noon for Friday 28 July 2023

 

09:05 The star-studded women's football club changing the way sport is run 

The head of a high-powered women's football club says her organisation shows a new model mixing profit and purpose, is possible for professional sports teams. The Los Angeles-based Angel City Football Club is driven by its goals of equity and impact; and redirects ten percent of its sponsorship revenue to local community organisations. The football club has secured approximately US$50million in committed sponsorship revenue, and splits its donations across three areas; equity, essentials and education. Angel City is one of the world's only majority female-founded and female-owned professional teams. Its female-led ownership group include stars such as Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria and Billie Jean King. Julie Uhrman is the president and co-founder of ACFC, alongside actress and activist Natalie Portman and technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman. Kathryn speaks to Julie Uhrman, who is currently in New Zealand for the FIFA Women's World Cup. 

09:15 Report: Business keen to 'do the right thing' by nature

A new report has found most businesses are keen to invest in nature projects - but want easy and trustworthy ways to do it. The Sustainable Business Network surveyed 283 businesses of various sizes throughout the country about their attitudes to putting their money into nature projects. The findings include 82 per cent being keen to "do the right thing"; 57 per cent reported being asked by stakeholders to be more environmentally friendly;  68 per cent said the economic situation is hindering their ability to do that and 28 per cent said they didn't know which projects to support. As a result of the report the Sustainable Business Network launched its Regenerate Nature Programme in Auckland yesterday, aimed at connecting environmental projects with businesses looking to support them. Kathryn speaks with Sam Rowland, Sustainable Business Network's Programme Manager and lead author of the report and Pete Gillespie, founder and head brewer of Garage Project which took part in the survey and has been involved with various sustainability projects.

 

09:30 Dingoes and their link to dogs

New genetic analysis reveals dingo populations have less dog ancestry than previously thought. Although considered to be an Australian native - dingoes are thought to be descendants of South Asian wolves and possibly introduced to the country by seafarers. In recent decades, concerns have been raised that pure bred dingoes were on the decline due to crossbreeding with domestic dogs and wild dogs. There were also fears that interbreeding could result in dingo extinction.Dr Kylie Cairns is a a conservation biologist from the University of New South Wales. She has led a study which has shown dingo-dog mixes in the wild are rare, but pure bred dingoes are still at risk.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

French president Emmanuel Macron will forge ahead with processing a new statute for New Caledonia, replacing the 1998 Noumea Accord. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been in Tonga for bilateral talks, to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries.The white elephant in the room, China - wasn't mentioned in their opening addresses at the joint media conference but became the dominant topic in questions with journalists. More than 7,000 people in Bougainville need temporary accommodation after Mt Bagana erupted a fortnight ago. And Fiji Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has deferred a visit to China after tripping and hurting his head.

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins 

10:05 The plants of the Qur'an 

Botanical artist Sue Wickison has just completed a book on the plants of the Qur'an. Born in Sierra Leone, trained as a scientific illustrator in the UK, she now lives on Waiheke Island. Sue says her passion for the natural world and history was nurtured during expeditions with her amateur botanist father. Together they would locate, collect and identify botanical specimens. After becoming fascinated with the plants mentioned in Islam's holy book she began an 8 year research collaboration with a Pakistani scientist to identify the specimens. The resulting book,  Plants of the Qur'an is about botany, history and culture and includes reference to many present day consumables such as pomegranates, grapes, ginger and garlic.

10:35 Book review: Āria by Jessica Hinerangi 

Airini Beautrais reviews Āria by Jessica Hinerangi published by Auckland University Press

10:45 Around the motu : Georgina Campbell in Wellington 

A pub has come to the rescue of Chocolate Fish Cafe, which has been forced to close for months after a suspicious fire at Shelly Bay seven weeks ago. Georgina has the latest, including an update on the asbestos removal after the fire. Also the human face of a strained health system. An 81-year-old woman on an operating wait list for the past year sat hungry and cold for two and a half hours expecting hernia surgery only to be told it was cancelled because the hospital was too busy. And the $1.25 billion Transmission Gully project remains unfinished, despite the motorway out of Wellington opening more than 15 months ago.

Georgina Campbell is NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter

11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies​

Superb Scottish band Teenage Fanclub have just announced a tour, playing their first Auckland show in five years in March next year. We’ll hear two key tracks from their 30-year career today, followed by new work from dub renegades African Headcharge and a classic from German electronic pioneers, Kraftwerk.

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

New Zealand's World Cup quota just doubled - with the Football Ferns coming to the end of group play and the Silver Ferns just starting their netball title defence. Sam looks at history making moments lying ahead and talks to Kathryn about the Bledisloe Cup.

11:45 The week that was

Comedians Te Radar and Michele A'Court bring a few laughs -  ponder this!  Would you wear a 'gratitude poncho'? In the UK a business school professor has been ridiculed for suggesting colleagues wear flipchart paper bibs and write messages of appreciation on each other.

Music played in this show

Track: I wanna be your lover
Artist: Prince
Time played: 11:45am