Afternoons for Tuesday 22 October 2024

1:15 The Māori art vandal

Dutch artist Theo Schoon is remembered as a controversial figure in the history of New Zealand art. While no doubt a brilliant artist, his relationship with Māori art continues to ignite debate.

Now a just released book tells the story of Schoon's vandalism of Māori rock art in South Canterbury and North Otago. Rosanna McCully McEvedy is the author of 'Inside Theo Schoon's Tipping Point'  

1:25 The Birds! a fundraiser

Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds may have been the stuff of nightmares for many, but a bird rescue is hoping a special screening will help keep their dream alive.

BirdCare Aotearoa is holding a special fundraising screening of the 1963 horror classic at Auckland's Hollywood Avondale theatre next month. But it's causing a few ruffled feathers among bird-lovers.

Jesse talks to BirdCare Aotearoa's fundraising manager, Dr. Rashi Parker.

1:35 Why farmers are turning to bio-char

A Southland couple is looking to the past to help curb farm emissions and boost yields. Andrew and Toula Finlayson operate Southland Carbon, which produces biochar.

Not only is the product benefiting the environment, it's also helping to revitalise the small town of Pukerau, near Gore.

1:45 Tech Tuesday: bio technology

AI while a promising technology is also one of the most energy hungry. Pratik Navani looks at research that hopes to mitigate this intense drain on the energy grid including "bio-technology". 

2:10 Book Critic: books about a single life

Pip Adam recommends some new and not so new books that focus on a single human life.

Pip's picks:

The Life and Opinions of Kartik Popat by Brannavan Gnanalingam

Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland

Ootlin by Jenni Fagan 

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster

This week Brad updates us on King Charles' visit to Australia and why did someone have a go at him in Parliament House? And Brad reports on why kiwi sportspeople are making the news over the ditch. 

2:30 Music feature: John Denver

We're diving into the music and legacy of one of the most beloved American songwriters of the 20th century, John Denver. Known for his distinct voice and hopeful lyrics, Denver's music was synonymous with the 70s, and major hits like 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' have ensured his songs will live on. 

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996, just one year before he died in a plane crash at the age of 53.

Jesse talks to musician Bevan Gardiner, who has toured Australia and New Zealand with his tribute show 'Take Me Home - The Music & Life of John Denver'. 

3:10 Feature interview:  the word master

For more than 25 years  author, speaker and etymologist Anu Garg has shared his love of words, wordplay and the stories behind language with a massive online community with his website wordsmith.org, which includes an anagram server, and his  A Word A Day email newsletter. As well as words, Garg has a passion for running and he's in New Zealand to run in the Auckland marathon. We'll catch up with him to talk about the joy of words and why he thinks  All the life's wisdom can be found in anagrams.  

3:30 Nau Mai Encore

In this week's encore episode of NAU MAI TOWN RNZ's podcast about Māori place names the story of Petone, or it's original name Pito-One. Producer Justine Murray has a cuppa tea with Liz Mellish who breaks the story of the name, and Justine checks out a very business along the very 'eclectic' Jackson Street.  

3:45 The pre-Panel