Saturday Morning

Perlina Lau is filling in for Susie Ferguson on this week's show, alongside Mihingarangi Forbes. 

 

7:11 Sami Nader updates Israeli strikes on Lebanon

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel started a bombing campaign in the area on Monday.

Some half a million people have also been displaced by the bombing which came after hundreds of pagers and walkie talkies used by Hezbollah members exploded. 

Israel has rejected a French/US 21-day ceasefire.

Sami Nader who is the Director of the Levante Institute for Strategic Affairs in Lebanon's capital Beirut, speaks to Mihi about the latest.

 

7:27 Head trauma and neuro-degenerative disease litigation

Research shows there's a link between head trauma and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Just this week, Hall of Fame American Football NFL quarterback Brett Favre was the latest high profile player to reveal he had Parkinson's disease. The 54-year-old estimates over his 2-decades career he's had thousands of concussions. 

In the UK, 700 former rugby union and league players suffering from concussion-related neurological injuries are suing World Rugby, England's Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.

They say these governing bodies have failed in their duty of care to protect them from injuries sustained while playing. 

Former professional Welsh rugby union player Antony Evans developed Parkinson's aged 42 and talks to Saturday Morning about why he's involved in the British litigation.

 

7:39 One-stop shop diabetes clinic pilot wraps up

A pilot project of a one-stop shop diabetes clinic that has toured 10 Far North marae has wound up this week.

In Aotearoa more than 300,000 people live with diabetes - mostly type 2.

The estimated rate of the disease nationally is just over 4 percent - but among Maori it is more like 7 percent - creeping even higher in Northland.

Sarah Williams is a nurse working with Te Hiku Hauora has been co-ordinating the clinics and talks to Mihi about the project.

 

7:46 Why Philip Polkinghorne is still in the headlines

The nine week trial over the death of Pauline Hanna is over and her husband, retired eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne, was found not guilty of murdering her on Monday.

Yet Polkinghorne has been in the news daily this week.

RNZ crime reporter Finn Blackwell talks to Mihi about the extensive coverage of the case and the why it continues to be in the headlines.

 

7:55 Whakaata Māori job losses

Whakaata Māori staff are reeling after news of significant job losses amid a restructure. 

In what Whakataa Maaori is calling its Whakataa Wai realignment, it's understood at least 25 jobs are set to go from the platform.

It's yet another hit to the news media business, after multiple closures and restructures across the sector this year.

RNZ Maori News journalist Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira explains what the restructure means.

 

8:12 Dame Hinewehi Mohi on world haka domination

Aotearoa is attempting to reclaim the official Guinness World Records® title for the largest haka.

France holds the record. We need to top 4,028. 

Ten thousand participants are being called for the attempt tomorrow at Eden Park.  There are still a few tickets left!
                                                                                                                                                                                        Event organiser and cultural advisor Dame Hinewehi Mohi talks to Mihi about how it is that the French currently hold the title!                                                                                                                                                                   

 

8:30 Nick Long and his long-range superconductor electric rocket thrusters 

Nick Long has been called the grandfather of superconductors and for good reason.

He's the reason why one of the coldest, hottest, and most powerful superconductor electric rocket thrusters ever to be tested in space, is being built in a hi-tech shed at the bottom of Wainuiomata Hill.

Long, from the Robinson Research Institute, has spent three decades helping crack the puzzle that makes superconductors usable.

The thrusters are scheduled to be launched in February next year and will head to the International Space Station, and one day, maybe Mars.

He explains how it's all going to work.

 

8:50 What's a glimmer? And why you should chase yours...

Glimmers are those micro-moments of joy and peace that people experience when they hear their favourite song or see ducklings crossing the road. Everyone's glimmers are different, but there's much more to them then just giving us the warm fuzzies.

RNZ journalist Jogai Bhatt shares the neurological benefits of recognising glimmers and basking in them. She's joined by Alex Walker, a mental health researcher at the Victoria University of Wellington 

 

9:05 The case for being single

Social scientist Dr. Bella DePaulo is considered the leading expert on single life. She is the author of Singled Out and How We Live Now, among other titles. Her latest book Single at Heart is a comprehensive, unapologetic case for single life.

In a world that favours couples, Bella shares the many benefits of singledom that go unrecognised. She claims the single-at-heart are flourishing because they are single, not in spite of being single.

 

9:30 WOW supreme winner Grace DuVal

It's WOW's 34th season - and this year's competition Dream Awake has 91 finalists from 15 countries.

It's a fashion, music, theatre, circus, dance, art show spectacle.  Perlina Lau speaks with the Supreme Winner Grace DuVal from the US who won for her garment Curves Ahead.

 

9:40 Avril Bell - Becoming Tangata Tiriti

Sociologist Avril Bell says her new book Becoming Tangata Tiriti is a book of lessons learned.

It brings together the voices of twelve non-Māori who have attempted to bring te Tiriti to life in their work and includes stories of missteps, victories, and traversing through the complexities of cross-cultural relationships.

Avril Bell hopes Becoming Tangata Tiriti will act as a guide for people starting on their journey towards a Tiriti-based society.

 

10:05 Caring for carers

The mother of a disabled child who spent much of her short life in hospital, is calling for more support for the carers of severely disabled children.

And a disability advocate says in the 40 years she has been working with families, she has never seen carers so battered and bruised.

Three-and-a-half year old Lauren Malcolm-Swindells died two years ago. Her mother Rachel Malcolm-Swindells says there were times when she was desperate for support and having to fight for help when she was already exhausted, took an enormous toll on her health.

In an essay published today, Rachel outlines her journey.

Rachel and disability advocate Colleen Brown join Mihi to discuss the support carers need. 
 

 

10:40 Kath Irvine: Growing potatoes 

Spuds are one of the easiest crops for home gardeners to manage, so why don't more of us grow them?

Kath Irvine is a passionate permaculture expert, who has designed, taught and managed food gardens for more than 20 years. She's also the author of The Edible Backyard, a practical guide to growing organic fruit and vegetables all year round.

She gives personalised advice and answers your growing crop questions.

 

11:05 Playing Favourites with Judy Bailey

When beloved broadcaster Judy Bailey signed off her final news bulletin in 2005, she had no idea the next years would be some of the most fulfilling of her life. 

In her book Evolving Judy shares new science and personal stories that have shaped her own path into older age. She tackles subjects like taking care of your body and mind through organising finances, navigating health scares, grieving loved ones and enjoying the finer things.

Judy is appearing at The Escape Festival in Tauranga next month, on 18 October. 

 

Books on today's show

Single At Heart 
By Bella DePaulo 
Published by Profile Books Ltd

Becoming Tangata Tiriti: Working with Māori, Honouring the Treaty
By Avril Bell
Published by Auckland University Press

Evolving
By Judy Bailey
Published by HarperCollins