Summer Times for Wednesday 17 January 2024

9:10 What businesses should be doing to thrive in 2024

After a tough end to 2023 for businesses and expectations are for the economy to worsen this year. Higher interest rates have had the intended effect in that people are spending more on the mortgage than they might be at the mall or online. Making sure there is healthy cashflow, getting the most out of artificial intelligence and understanding the new Government's approach are all going to be key this year. That's according to Icehouse's chief growth officer Olivia Blaylock. She joins Anna to run through some of her top tips for businesses in 2024.

9:20 Rotorua intermediate keeps giving away uniforms, stationery

Principal Phil Palfrey doesn't hesitate when asked how Kaitao Intermediate has been able to give uniforms and stationery to students for free. "We just make it work" he says. It's a programme that cost the school $40,000 last year when they first did it but now they are cracking on and doing it again this year. Students at the Rotorua school each receive one formal uniform, one sports uniform and all stationery.

9:30 Jordan Pratt: 10 Great Walks in 10 days

It's no mean feat ... 10 Great Walks in 10 days, more than 500km, and a goal to raise $30,000. Former military, now public servant, Jordan Pratt has his work cut out for him. He says his goal - 10 Great Walks, back-to back - is to encourage adventure, challenging oneself, and to raise money for a worthy cause - Starship Hospital. 

9:40 Charlie Lee: Measuring Antarctic ice melt 

When it comes to Antarctic ice melt, how do we attribute retreat to climate change? For Dr Charles Lee, a microbial ecologist, the answer lies in measuring moss. The University of Waikato associate professor, has just returned from his 15th Antarctic tour where drones and high-res imagery is helping establish a baseline for Antarctic vegetation.

10:10 From gang member to business owner - the power of second chances 

Ex-mongrel mob member Taurus Taurima set out on a path to turn his life around - resulting in his own construction company 'Topline Constructions' in Hastings. Topline started in 2016 with two staff and has since grown to a force of 50. Made up of people from all walks of life, many from difficult pasts like Taurus, who have been offered a second chance. He spoke with Anna Thomas about the importance of a good days work.

10.35 Shepherdess - Connecting rural women

Growing up on a rural Australian farm didn't prepare Kristy McGregor for the isolation she'd experience when she made the move to a dairy and beef farm in Horowhenua with her husband in 2014. After speaking to others in the area, she soon realised that feeling this level of isolation was quite common in rural settings. Having previously worked as an event organiser in Australia, thinking about ways to connect people was second nature to her. From this, her print magazine 'Shepherdess' was born. Sharing stories or rural women and connecting them across the country. Kristy spoke with Anna Thomas.

11:10 Alex Dowsett on life as an elite cyclist with a rare disorder

Haemophilia is a rare blood disorder - affecting about one in every 10,000 births.  It is mostly genetic and it affects your body's ability to clot your blood. Those with the conditon must stay away from risky activities and sports, which might see them take a fall and get injured. Alex Dowsett is a British former professional road racing cyclist who lives with haemophilia - but it hasn't stopped him. He competed in seven Grand Tours for both Team Sky and Movistar, and in 2015 broke the fabled cycling hour record by 446 metres. He recently released a book called Bloody Minded: My Life in Cycling, and he has a very special connection with New Zealand.

11:25 Decluttering with Natalie Jane

Being organised is a skill ... and not one we are all born with. For Natalie Jane, however, a former professional ballet dancer organising spaces came naturally and in recent years has turned this trait into a career. It's been a decade since she launched Be Organised, and has since starred alongside Kanoa Lloyd in the television series Sort Your Life Out NZ. If you're feeling overwhelmed in your spaces and struggling with where to start, text your questions for Natalie to 2102.

11:45 Food  with Lucy Corry

It's time for our regular food segment with Lucy Corry, RNZ's executive editor of lifestyle and entertainment. Today Lucy talks stonefruit. 

12:00 Urban Jumble Daily Quiz

Every day we're giving you three words. Within each word are letters which spell out a New Zealand town or city. Each letter can only be used once. While some words may have more than one answer, the correct answer must be the town or city we're thinking of. So have a pen and paper and a map at hand and have a go. 

 

Playlist

Track: Love My Way 
Artist: The Psychaedelic Furs
Time played: 9:10am 

Track: Dire Straits 
Artist: Walk of Life
Time played: 9:30am

Track: Baby Come Back
Artist: Ocean Alley version
Time played: 10:10am

Track: Cay's Crays
Artist: Fat Freddy's Drop
Time played: 10:35am

Track: Breathe Deeper
Artist: Tame Impala
Time played: 10:55am

Track: Deja Vu
Artist: Coterie
Time played: 11:30am