Sunday Morning: Recent Episodes
RNZ
Calling Home this morning is Dr John Feathersone, Dean Emeritus of the School of Dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco. He's won numerous national and international awards, including the International Association for Dental Research distinguished scientist award for research into dental caries, and the Norton Ross Award for excellence in clinical research from the American Dental Association. This year he'll receive the American Dental Association's highest award, their Distinguished Service Award.
Are there tricks that can maximise your lottery winnings? Should you avoid the number seven, for example or only pick numbers over 31? Mathematician Peter Rowlett from University of Sheffield Hallam in the UK has some psychological strategies that may (or may not) improve your chances when playing the lottery.
Chris Patten, Lord Patten of Barnes was a top Tory politician, prime ministerial material, and Chairman of the Conservative Party in the UK who went on to be the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong, from 1992 to 1997. His brief was to make the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China smooth, but also to protect the rule of law and to safeguard democracy. In the end the politics, as he puts it, were a snake pit. His book, The Hong Kong Diaries, is a journal of his time there, including his thoughts on the situation today.
We're taught as children not to fidget. Is fidgeting just a sign of being restless? Or is there more to it? What if fidgeting can help us maintain a healthy weight, manage stress, or even add years to your life? Janet Cade, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Leeds and her colleagues analyzed survey data from more than 12,000 women over the course of twelve years, uncovering that fidgeting can reduce your risk of long-term ill health as it interrupts the amount of time our bodies stay sedentary.
Victoria University of Wellington Professor of Psychology, Dr Marc Wilson is back, this time covering the harrowing case of nurse Lucy Letby over the murders of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others in her care at the Countess of Chester hospital in the UK.
Brought to you by 'partners' - critics question sponsorship deals pushing clients' content into news media; IMANZ - a new umbrella body for independent local media marketing agencies; low key reveal of legislation to push big tech platforms to pay for local news.
Forty-six-year-old Bryan Johnson has spent millions of dollars to slow his body's aging process. He made his millions selling a tech company to eBay and has since pursued ventures in health tech, including his anti-ageing mission, Project Blueprint. He has a team of more than thirty doctors and health experts monitoring his every move, with the goal of reversing the aging process in every one of his organs. Bryan joins us to talk about his anti-aging mission and the potential takeaways for generations to come.
The All Blacks have suffered their worst-ever defeat - 35-7 against the Springboks at Twickenham, in front of 80,000 rugby fans. They have a fortnight before they play France in the Rugby World Cup and now there's deep soul-searching for the ABs as they head to a base in Germany. Mark Reason is a senior sports columnist for Stuff. He has covered every Rugby World Cup since 1991 for major media, as well as Olympic Games and many big golf tournaments. He spoke with Jim Mora.
A face-to-face amiable debate, the polite airing of contrary view seems to be becoming increasingly rare. Are we losing the art of conversation? Dr Paula Marantz Cohen is the distinguished professor of literature at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Her book Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of Conversation looks at the art of good conversation, how it connects us in ways that social media never can and explains why simply talking to each other freely and without guile may be the cure to what ails our troubled society.
What's it like to land a jet on an aircraft carrier or have your Cessna crash in flames in rugged farmland? Aviation expert and pilot Fletcher McKenzie has interviewed dozens of kiwi pilots who've flown all sorts of planes all around the world for his book From the Pilot's Seat: Kiwi Adventurers in the Sky.
England and Spain go head-to-head at Stadium Australia in the World Cup final later. Joining us for her thoughts on this game is one of our most illustrious footballers. Sarah Gregorius from Lower Hutt played nearly a hundred games for the football Ferns competing in three World Cups and going on to play for AFC Amsterdam. Throughout the tournament, Sarah has provided her unique insight and analysis on Sky Sports and while of course keeping up the day job as the FIFPRO World Players Union as its Director of global policy and strategic relations.
Scientists have been researching the cooling ocean east of New Zealand for a while, but more recently it has really been getting attention. Dr Pedro DiNezio is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado's department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He calls it "the most important unanswered question in climate science".
Dai Henwood is one of our best-known comedians, star of Dancing With The Stars, Seven Days, Family Feud and Legomasters. Folllowing his cancer diagnosis, he's just finished his latest round of chemo and has gotten together with his mates, some of the biggest names in comedy, to host a night of stand-up comedy to raise money for The Cancer Society.
Dr. Nick Laing, originally from Christchurch has been living and working in Northern Uganda for several years where he is the co-founder and country director of OneDay Health which operates 36 Remote rural health centers in the region.
Our World Cup runneth over - what legacy will it leave? Lifting the lid on exploitation of migrant workers and human trafficking.
Jane Austen once said "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." Whilst we'd all be happy to see that idea consigned to the dustbin of literary history, it seems it may have currency again. With some even asking if the requirements of modern dating, and finding a life partner, are becoming reminiscent of Jane Austen's time… because of housing costs. Frances Cook, BusinessDesk investments editor, podcaster and best-selling author of Your Money, Your Future and Tales from a Financial Hot Mess joins us
As the last of the Covid-19 restrictions are dropped in New Zealand, hospitalisations are on the rise and the implications of long covid are only starting to emerge. Throughout the height of the Covid pandemic we talked regularly with New Zealander Dr Gary Mclean, an emeritus professor at London Metropolitan University, and immunology researcher at Imperial College.
More and more people are working from home under the watchful eye of strangers - and the strangers are being paid for the privilege. According to Annie, the concept of 'body doubling' is nothing new: People are more likely to stay focused on work if they know others are keeping an eye on them. Annie speaks to Susana about the principle and its link to ADHD treatment.
He was commended and condemned in equal measure, but his decision to fight for his troops ultimately saw him walk the plank. In 2020, Captain Brett Crozier disembarked the US Navy's most powerful aircraft carrier for the last time - relieved of duty after pleading with superiors to protect his sailors from Covid-19. As the virus swept through the ship, his letter begging for help hit the headlines. Two years later he retired. In his new book, 'Surf when you can' he reflects on his life, his work, and that career defining moment.
Following this week's announcement that the government is to partner with US asset managers, Blackrock in a $2bn green energy fund, we're joined by political economist and economic geographer, Professor Brett Christophers who is visiting NZ from the Institute for Housing and Urban Research at Sweden's Uppsala University. He's the author of several books, including Our Lives in Their Portfolios: Why Asset Managers Own the World.
Ohio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins us once again. She takes a look at USA vs Trump following the indictment handed down against the former president while at the same time under heavy scrutiny by media Trump and Biden are pretty well neck-and-neck in polling for the next US presidential election. And in Karen's home state, Ohioans voted down a proposal that would have made it harder to pass future proposed constitutional amendments in the state, including one in November about abortion rights.
Reporters' report on crime coverage urges new thinking - and highlights electoral 'crime crackdown' pattern; RNZ's Richard Sutherland calling it quits after 30 years; free sports streaming options on the up.
Ever dreamed of living on your own private island? Loon Island on Pavilion Lake - a four-hour drive from Vancouver - is currently on the market for less than half the average price for a home in the neighbouring BC city. According to realtor Kevin Scharfenberg, the lake is famous for its brilliant emerald glow in the summer, and that's not the only natural attraction. NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are currently researching a mysterious karst formation that resembles ocean coral. The island listing boasts 175 metres of waterfront panoramic views, two cabins, and a 2015 solar powered house - your own slice of paradise, for $NZ734,000.
The link between memory and smell has long been established - but what if you could harness odours to not only maintain cognitive ability as you age, but deter dementia? The result of a University of California Irvine study has indicated just that. For six months a fragrance wafted through the bedrooms of adults 60 years and older. The findings? A 226% increase in cognitive capacity.
An expedition of women from Arabia and Europe set out to find the North Pole as the ice caps melt. Award-winning filmmaker Holly Morris recorded the mission - it could be the last. She used the latest tech, with first-of-its-kind Virtual Reality/360 footage on Google Jump Halo, and Rylo 360 cameras. Holly is known for her documentary, Babushkas of Chernobyl, about women living in the shadow of the failed nuclear reactor in Ukraine. Holly joins the programme.
The most commonly used letter in the English language is E, followed by A, and R. The least-used letter is Z, followed by Q … But the letter that has made headlines around the world is 'X'. Tony Thorne's been writing, teaching, and broadcasting about linguistic and cultural change for three decades, he joins us to discuss the conflicted nature of the letter, 'X'.
The rise in cocaine use across New Zealand has brought cartels back into the public consciousness and headlines around the world. But are they responsible for the reported spike in drug use?
It was a semi-finals showdown last night, with netball's big four battling it out for a spot in the World Cup Final. The Silver Ferns faced off against the English Roses, while Jamaica's Sunshine Girls went toe-to-toe with the Australian Diamonds. RNZ reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe was court side and joins the programme from Cape Town.
Political road rage - budget holes & emissions omissions; what went wrong with RNZ's online news - and putting it right,
The chances of finding a large eel in Loch Ness are around 1 in 50,000 for a 1-metre creature. Researchers at the University of Otago looked at the DNA of Loch Ness inhabitants, concluding that perhaps sightings of Nessie were actually large eels. But now, data scientist Flow Foxon says eels don't get that big. Professor Neil Gemmell is the AgResearch Chair in Reproduction and Genomics at the University of Otago. Neil joins the programme to discuss.
The world is looking at China in a new way. What was once billed as the next dominant superpower is facing economic headwinds.
For the better part of a century, the Rupert Murdoch media empire has shaken markets and democracies across the globe. But how did it all start? Drawing on unpublished archival material and new reportage, author and journalist Walter Marsh's book, Young Rupert pieces together the paper trail giving us a glimpse of the Australian media landscape at an extraordinary tipping point.
Is it ethical to watch movies during a strike? Should moviegoers strike too? Will the strike actually kill Hollywood? Sarah McMullan is familiar to the RNZ audience. She watches a lot of films and writes about some of them.
How much do we have to exercise, really, to be healthy? And does a lot of the research done in gyms pertain to men, not women? We're joined by our go-to exercise expert, New Zealander Dr Mandy Hagstrom, senior lecturer at UNSW, School of Human Nutrition.
At some time or another most of us will enter a maze and try and get out of it again. There's an easy way to do that, believe it or not. Dr Katie Steckles is a Manchester-based mathematician who lectures at a university in Sheffield, speaks at science festivals, and talks on the BBC about matters mathematical as well.
Originally from Pukekohe, Jack Boulton now lives in Orkney, completing a PhD on Transitional Engineering studying ways to move petrochemical companies away from carbon use.
Experts are claiming dogs separated at eight to 12 weeks won't forget about their siblings for up to two years, and these same dogs often recognise their mothers beyond the two-year mark. Dr. Lucy Scott from Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ is a vet with a special interest in behaviour and training.
We all know people who wolf their food down, and probably we disapprove. But what if it's not actually all that bad? Dr Katherine Wu, a Harvard-trained microbiologist, and now a staff writer for the Atlantic Monthly joins us.
An Oxford University study has concluded that if all the meat eaters in the UK cut down their ingestion of meat it would be the equivalent of taking 8 million cars off the road. Dr Ali Hill joins us from Otago University's Department of Human Nutrition.
Dr. Jean Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, and the author of more than 140 scientific publications. She was last on RNZ six years ago discussing the less happy and more isolated smartphone generation of young people.
Do you ever hear a snippet of a tune and before you know it, it's on rotate in your head, and you can't seem to shake it for hours... or days, or even weeks? You're not alone. This pesky phenomenon - a catchy tune that runs through a person's mind - is known as an 'earworm'. A study of 240 American university students in 2020 showed 97% had experienced an 'earworm' in the past month. Professor Emery Schubert is from the School of the Arts and Media at the University of New South Wales.
At the Easter of 1939, on the cusp of WW2 and when Aucklander Johnny Green was just nine years old, his mother gifted him an egg cup. It featured three ceramic chicks, contained a single chocolate egg, and it meant the absolute world to him. Johnny kept it with him always, even when he joined the British Army, and made the six-week voyage to New Zealand. He now has a collection of more than 11,000 cups which he proudly displays at Sunday markets around Tamaki Makaurau to raise money for Hospice.
Dr Stephanie Dowrick is an award-winning writer, psychotherapy researcher and coach, public speaker, workshop leader, interfaith minister and the founder of The Women's Press in London. Her latest book Your Name is Not Anxious includes step-by-step guides that explain anxiety is treatable, despite more and more of us being or becoming anxious. Dr Dowrick gives us a preview of what we might learn in the 60-chapter read.
Whakatane-born Aaron Hodges' job as a fantasy writer allows him to live anywhere he wants. So in 2019, he moved to Buenos Aires to learn Spanish, and has been there ever since. Aaron calls home to tell us about life in the vibrant Argentinian capital.
A triumph on a tragic day; political parties roll out crime control policies; creative interpretations of a pretty prosaic political poll.
When All Blacks great Dan Carter retired from the game in 2021, he found no obvious career move at his doorstep. His new book, The Art of Winning: Ten Lessons in Leadership, Purpose and Potential, focuses on a series of hard-learned truths over his career and in the years to follow. Dan Carter tells us more about his new book, which he says, is not about rugby.
Simon Schama is a pre-eminent historian and the author of The Power of Art, Landscape and Memory and Citizens, the story of the French Revolution. He's a Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University and is a well-recognised face on television from his many series like Civilisation and The History of Now. Well now he's written Foreign Bodies - Pandemics, Vaccines & The Health of Nations. Foreign Bodies is on the face it the stories of the bacteriologists and epidemiologists and other scientists who developed vaccines and saved the lives of millions, often in the face of considerable opposition and prejudice. But it merges that history with the now of Covid and the fear of what is coming next.
The big movies of the year, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible are out now (or soon) and the BBC has teamed up with the Open University in the UK to advocate seeing these films in the cinema. The essential argument is that we are social creatures and it's far better for us to be with other people even if they are loudly scraping popcorn out of a box. It is good for the body and the soul. Sarah McMullan is familiar to the RNZ audience. She watches a lot of films and writes about some of them.
King Charles' former butler Grant Harold has revealed the proper way to drink tea, if you want affect a regal manner. When you stir your tea with a spoon, if that's necessary, you shouldn't move the spoon crudely around the cup clockwise or widdershins. What you do is use a "very gentle back and forward motion." A circular motion risks spillage and noise. Another major revelation from Grant is that scones should not be cut in half. You may employ the Cornish method, with the cream on top, or the Devonshire way, with jam on top, but you must never employ any method of laceration or piercing probe into the middle of the scone itself. Joanne Watson The Old Town Hall Tea Room in Urenui until October last year and she's a bit of a scone aficionado.
Arthur Edwards MBE is now 82 years of age. He has been a photographer of the royal family for longer than anyone else, certainly in a mainstream media capacity and has worked all that time for The Sun newspaper. Arthur's was behind the lens for many of the photos that come to our minds when summoning up the big images - the formal poses of the Queen and the Duke, Prince Charles through the years, and Diana, that photo of her holding kindergarten children, the first ever taken of her before she was thrust into the limelight. And of course, Diana with her own children, and many in her unguarded moments of fun; latterly William and Kate of course, Harry & Meghan... thousands and thousands of photographs: at Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Ascot, the ski slopes, the polo fields and wherever he could find a royal personage doing something that looked a bit interesting. Over 45 years he's become part of the royal furniture, although his non-threatening relationship with them all didn't begin amiably. His close relationship with the king was for a long time fraught. Arthur Edwards has published a book that's full of photos, as you'd expect. It's called BEHIND THE CROWN - MY LIFE PHOTOGRAPHING THE ROYAL FAMILY.
We've spoken before on Sunday morning about cats, dogs and cows, and how they reveal their affection for us. Research is making great strides in analysing animals we're familiar with and ascertaining their emotional states. That, of course, will allow us to improve their lives. Even if we then eat some of them. Dr Fay Clark runs the Comparative Challenge Lab at the University of Bristol. Her research is concerned with the mental processes and mental health of animals. Her training is in zoology, biological anthropology, and psychology, and in her lab, in zoos and in the wild she constructs challenges for animals to see how they respond.
RNZ Nights listeners may have heard Marc Leishman talking to this year's World Porridge Making Champion on Tuesday. Turns out one of the competition judges is a New Zealander. KJ Gilmour is an award-winning chef from Temuka who now lives and works in Grantown-On Spey in the Cairngorms, Scotland.
Warnings of a 'mortgage bomb' about to blow up; Australia puts big tech' under more pressure; Mary Holm's 25 years with readers and writers.
If three's a crowd, it seems four is the ideal when it comes to conversation. Professor Robin Dunbar, an anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist at the University of Oxford has spent decades studying how humans socialise. He is known for "Dunbar's number", a reference to his theory that most of us are only able to sustain about 150 social connections, but his work has also explored how people act in smaller groups. He has found that when it comes to having an enjoyable chat, four is the sweet spot, in fact in groups of five or more, the chances of laughter plummets.
We've all experienced those nights at one time or another, when sleep just won't come. Lying awake worrying about things we often have no control over that can doubtless best wait until the light of day. Dr Roxanne Prichard is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the Center for College Sleep, University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Her research has found that after midnight our minds are less equipped to problem-solve and more prone to find problems. Roxanne takes us through the science that will help calm our mind and body.
We know that New Zealanders continue to feel the pain of the cost of living crisis. Back in March Research NZ polled on this, and now it has run the numbers again. Joining us is Research NZ managing partner Emanuel Kalafatelis.
Karen Kasler is the Statehouse News Bureau Chief for public radio and television in Ohio. She joins us with the latest news and views from The United States.
A recent survey of UK office workers found 76% of millennials and 40% of baby boomers have anxious thoughts when their phone rings. 61% of millennials would like to completely avoid calls, compared with 42% of baby boomers. Telephone anxiety is a real thing, its technical name is telephonophobia. Physical symptoms include nausea, increase in heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, and muscular tension. This means phone-anxious people avoid conversations over the phone. Mary Jane Copps is The Phone Lady. She understands that many people don't know how to talk on the phone and is in high demand, teaching them how to do just that.
Victoria University Professor of Psychology, Dr Marc Wilson is back to guide us though the psychology that's been making the headlines lately From Lotto Wins to loneliness and if your grip strength is indicative of anxiety or depression.
Two pretty ubiquitous tasks in modern life haven't changed much with the advent of technology - ironing clothes and making a cup of tea. Are there ways to speed up these processes? An Australian cleaning expert has claimed that they have a simple hack which means you'll never have to iron again. Chemistry Professor Dr Allan Blackman from Auckland University of Technology s been experimenting in the lab. (Actually, his home!)
It's not often we highlight a Tiktok account on the Sunday Morning show, but this one's different. Rosie Grant is a university researcher based in Los Angeles who has a couple of hundred thousand followers on the platform. She makes and bakes recipes that she finds on gravestones in cemeteries and graveyards. Most of the recipes are by women and almost all of them are deserts and sweet treats. Rosie joins us to talk about how she got started and why she loves this particular form of remembrance.
100 days to go; unknown Luxon; Listener goes online and brings back NZ's longest lasting columnist; confusing news on the economy.
Solar Maximum may be on its way sooner than we thought. The Sun is quickly approaching a major peak in solar activity, and some scientists think that peak could be early by as much as 2 years bringing the timeline towards the end of this year. One of the tell-tale signs is X-class solar flares being on the rise, and one of them has apparently already scored a direct hit on Earth and this past week another one caused a radio blackout for 30 minutes in the Pacific Ocean and the western United States, according to NASA. Otago University's Professor of Physics, Dr Craig Rodger joins us with the details.
The earlier that children start reading for enjoyment, the better it is for their verbal learning, memory, and speech development. A Cambridge University study has found a strong link between reading for pleasure at a young age and school performance later. They're also less stressed, they behave better, they spend less time on screens, and they sleep more soundly. The research used a large database of young people in the United States. One of the report's authors, neuropsychologist Dr Barbara Sahakian is a professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Cambridge.
At McGill University's Earth System Dynamics Laboratory in Montreal, Canada, a team has found out how the average person spends each 24 hours.
We know we carry AI in our pockets every day, as people are fond of saying. Author Martin Ford says we're about to see the importance of an invention that's on a par with electricity in terms of its coming effects on our lives.
ABC Classic has run a poll of Australians to ascertain the nation's favourite classical instrument. The soprano singing voice came in at no. 21; the male tenor voice at no. 17. But voices in unison, choral voices, choirs, were far more popular at no.9. At number 2 and 3 respectively came the piano and the violin, but Australia's favourite classical instrument is the one that is said to be closest to the human voice, the cello. \ Ashley Brown is a great cellist. His accolades include prizes at the Adam International Cello Competition and the ROSL Music Competition in London. He studied at Canterbury and Yale Universities, he's performed in Paris, London and New York, and at the moment he's the cellist with NZ Trio.
Robert Pagliarini is the president of Pacifica Wealth Advisors in California. He has a PhD in financial and retirement planning and specialises in helping clients cope with what he refers to as sudden wealth syndrome, and he wrote another book called the Sudden Wealth Solution.
Brendan Lynch was born in Gore, but he grew up in Timaru. He now lives in a village in a beautiful valley in south Tyrol, up among the famous Dolomites.
In 2014, an interstellar object - thought to be from another star system - crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Papua New Guinea. Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb is now leading a sea-going search, hoping to pick up fragments of that object.
The shock of the news - and a critical shortage in the state of the arts; TVNZ top-table changes; reserving the right to be wrong - even in an emergency.
New research shows when it comes time for New Zealanders to think about their legacy, money is not top of mind.
The $7 trillion dollar wellness movement has encountered a backlash in recent times with many asking if the wellness craze is giving us a new lease on life or is it just an easy way to empty our wallets? Now there's a debut novel, a satire called THE GLOW. "A desperate young publicist tries to save her career by turning the charismatic leader of a grungy retreat center into the hot new self-care brand." The author is Jessie Gaynor, who writes for The New Yorker and the Wall Street Journal. Jessie joins us from Richmond, Virginia.
Jeffrey Halley is Sunday Morning's man on the money. Jeffrey's a kiwi in Jakarta and Singapore who until recently was the Senior Market Analyst for Asia Pacific for the OANDA corporation, with his analysis is regularly sought by Bloomberg, the BBC, Reuters, CNBC, MSN and the New York Times. Jeffrey's been at a university in Wales for a while and is now back in Indonesia.
The Tour de France is one of the world's great sporting events and in the minds of most cycling journalists, the best-ever race of the Tour took place in 1989 when American Greg Lemond made one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport, with dozen of shotgun pellets in his body and carrying a terrible secret in his heart. His winning margin in the end was 8 seconds, after racing more than 3,000 kilometres. He was 50 seconds behind as the last short sprint into Paris began. Against him were two recent former champions, Laurent Fignon and Pedro Delgado. That incredible race is now the subject of a new documentary The Last Rider , out in cinemas throughout NZ. Greg LeMond won the Tour three times and the World Road Race Championships twice and he joins us from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Our compost bins are full of coffee grounds, and some gardening experts not only advocate that, but also recommend sprinkling coffee grounds directly on the garden. But in the latest New Scientist they claim this is another myth saying used coffee grounds may be doing our plants more harm than good. NZ Gardener editor Jo McCarroll takes us through the pros and cons.
Surgery, equality and equity; starling survey results score easy exposure; independent local radio pioneer 1XX changes hands - but the mission remains the same.
Although our biting insects take a break in Winter, this week saw the shortest day of the year, so forgive us for looking ahead to the warm summer months. Are insects more likely to bite you when you're on the move, or when you're sitting down or standing still? Dr David Beresford, Professor of Biology at Trent University in Canada, has been looking into this very question.
BBC's Frank Gardner talks to Jim about the implications of the short-lived mutinous march on Moscow by the Wagner mercenaries who've been engaged in some of the fiercest fighting of the war in Ukraine. Frank Gardner is the BBC's Security Correspondent and the author of best-selling books about his assignments.
The Special Olympics World Summer Games are currently taking place in the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin. The event hosts 7000 athletes from 200 countries, supported by 20,000 volunteers and an expected 300,000 spectators. The New Zealand delegation of 39 athletes with an intellectual disability have been competing here across 9 sports. Powerlifter Ryan Stewart from Dunedin was the first New Zealand athlete to claim a medal with bocce player, Aaron Campbell from Levin claiming New Zealand's first gold. Journalist Coen Lammers joins us with the latest.
Dr Ali Hill join us for our regular nutrition chat. She makes sense of the headlines that claim will make us look better, feel better and live longer. Could what they call NR be a magic ingredient for our health? Or taurine? What about seaweed, or even a diet of just fast food?
A study from the International Longevity Centre in the UK has found that if you compete at the Commonwealth Games, you'll live significantly longer, on average, than other people. On of the report's authors, health and fitness researcher, Ray Algar takes us though the findings.
The journal New Scientist has dispelled some old wisdom about the need to water your garden early in the morning before the day warms up. It says that's not necessary, and sometimes it's not a good idea - same with watering in the early evening. How can this long-agreed-on idea be wrong? Editor of NZ Gardener, Jo McCarroll joins us.
Mediawatch looks at the response to the revelation of 'inappropriate editing' of online world news at RNZ - and asks two experts what may come out of the investigation into how it happened. Also: Mediawatch asks about claims that state-sponsored offshore disinformation campaigns could be undermining our media.
Dr Jack Watling is joining us again on the situation in Ukraine as the battles resume with improved weather on the ground, and a long summer of warfare seeming to be in store.
There have been various studies about whether it's best to exercise early or late in the day. Now there's new research.
It's said that 15-20% of people, perhaps up to a quarter of the population, are in some category of neurodivergence.
Lucy Balfour was born and raised in Canterbury. She danced for 10 years with the Royal New Zealand Ballet before moving to London and joining the renowned dance company, Rambert in 2013.
How stories about the war in Ukraine ended up with a pro-Russian slant on RNZ's website; reports of crime are on the up but does the story change when reporters run the numbers before running a story?
Michael Hurst is one of our finest and most versatile actors, with a haul of awards for television and film both locally and internationally. He's directed more than 90 professional stage productions, and TV shows including Spartacus, West Side, My Life is Murder, 800 Words, The Brokenwood Mysteries and Power Rangers. Michael joins Jim Mora ahead of a spectacular Auckland Theatre Company production of King Lear, to mark its 30th anniversary. Playing the King, Michael is joined on stage by his wife Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Jim Mora talked to Michael ahead of the final rehearsals for the play, which opens this coming week.
Internationally renowned composer and saxophonist Lucien Johnson joins us ahead of his co-created show with Hannah Tasker-Poland, The Most Naked, A Cabaret of Skin and Bone opening at Q Theatre in Auckland.
One of the brightest stars in the sky is behaving strangely, pulsating from bright to dim twice as quickly as usual. At the moment Betelgeuse is very bright in the night. What's going on? If anyone knows it'll be Alan Gilmore. Alan's one of our most distinguished astronomers; he once ran the Mt John Observatory and is still involved with the near-asteroid programme at Mt John with his wife, Pam.
Are you sensitive, maybe overly sensitive, you think? There's a new book for you, it's called 'Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World'. In a world where sensitivity is often regarded as a weakness, co-author of the book, Andrew Solo joins us to tell us what sensitivity actually is, and why it's a help and not a hindrance in getting through day-to-day living.
At just 16 years of age, Tauranga's Venice Harris has already travelled the world starring in big stage musicals like Annie, Les Miserables and The Sound of Music. Her talent's taken her to Australia, the Philippines, Singapore and Japan. Many New Zealanders will have seen her in the lead role of Matilda which came to Auckland. She joins us to introduce her new track Tug of War.
Animal behaviour expert Zazie Todd is back again. This time to talk cats. Zazie's the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She created a popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, she co-hosts The Pawsitive Post in Conversation podcast, and she has a column at Psychology Today. She's also a certified dog trainer. Zazie Todd lives in British Columbia with her husband, one dog, and two cats.
Imagine how it would be to visit a museum, and see your own heart in a display case. That's what's happened to Jennifer Sutton at the Hunterian Museum in London, 16 years after the heart she was born with was removed as she underwent transplant surgery.
Mediawatch talks to the radio industry's top spokesperson who called on commercial companies to curb their rivalry - and the brains behind a small music radio network spreading around the country - but without ads. Also: a controversial proposal to change the way our media content is regulated.
Michelle Gomez has appeared in innumerable British sitcoms and American dramas. In recent times she's been a baddie: as Missy, aka The Master, Dr Who's female nemesis, and Lilith in the hit show The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Michelle also played the angry Miranda Croft in HBO's The Flight Attendant. She's in Auckland as one of the stars of Wintergeddon at the Auckland showgrounds this coming weekend. It's the first big Armageddon event since Covid, with 70,000 fans expect through the doors to meet the celebs and celebrate the many fantasy, scifi and gaming universes that so many people immerse themselves in.
If there's one singer in New Zealand you might apply the phrase 'Prima diva' to, it would be Jackie Clarke. Having been in The Ladykillers and When The Cat's Been Spayed she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to entertainment and named Top Female Artist by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. She's heading all over New Zealand on her new Prima Diva Tour.
Alexi O'Brien is calling home this morning from Qatar. Alexi's from Christchurch, a former TVNZ journalist she now works for Al Jazeera. What's it like to live in Doha, not just visit there?
We catch up Live with Sports Journalist Coen Lammers on the ground at the World Cup in Qatar.
A 2016 study in Wellington found that residents with ocean views had lower levels of psychological distress. For every 10% increase in how much blue water people could see, the researchers found a one-third point reduction on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale.
Handling awkward questions; programme-makers anxious about public media project; why Stuff journalists walked off the job.
Dr Jack Watling is the senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the world's oldest and the UK's leading defence and security think tank. As winter starts to bite in Ukraine, Jack joins us once again with the latest analysis from the region.
Rasmus Tandholt, a senior correspondent for TV2 in Denmark, was in the thick of it when trouble broke out after the Iran-America game this past week, and this time he was detained.
You want to watch the World Cup in Qatar, but it feels wrong for so many reasons. Sports journalist Alex Kay-Jelski joins the show to share how The Athletic will navigate the issue. …it's ok to feel horrible and excited at the same time.
With over 8 million people displaced from their homes, ReliefAid is one the ground with emergency food, medical supplies and shelter materials until more permanent solutions can be found.
An app-based company in California has created voice assistants which let you" talk" to people who have passed. Is it ethical?
The Reserve Bank lifted the official cash rate to its highest level since 2008. A recession is being forecast for New Zealand now, so what's it going to be like?
As housing becomes increasingly unaffordable many people are considering multi-generational living solutions. Despite some of the challenges, there are many advantages to living with extended family.
COP 27 climate coverage cop outs; blowing the whistle on 'normalised' corruption in world sport; relapse reports upset gang-based rehab programme.
Epidemiologist Michael Baker joins the show to discuss boosters and the latest COVID-19 research.
We catch up Live with Sports Journalist Coen Lammers on the ground at the World Cup in Qatar.
Marguerette Heding and her husband Philip lived in Qatar for the best part of a decade,. Marguerette managed to put her experiences and observations into a book - ALL VEILS ARE OFF - The True Housewives of Qatar.
Animal behaviour expert and the author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy Dr Zazie Todd joins us once again to answer your canine questions.
In the United States the Republicans have won the House, what will that mean? And can Donald Trump possibly win the Presidency again? Joining us again is our U.S. correspondent Karen Kasler, the Statehouse Bureau Chief for public radio and television in Ohio.
The Barefoot Investor – a best-selling book by financial advisor Scott Pape – is said to be in one in 20 Australian homes. Pape's new book Barefoot Kids is about children and money.
Senior Rugby writer from the NZ Herald Gregor Paul gives his assessment of the All Black's performance against the English at Twickenham.
Almost fully forgotten now is Andrew White, a former All Blacks captain who in the First World War fought at Gallipoli, Messines and the Somme. Author William Moloney talks about his new book, Invincible.
Media wrestle with 'sportswashing' Qatar's World Cup; framing farming's big issues via the mailbox; politics pundit calls it quits.
Calling home this week is Matt Toogood who with his wife Tess and their two boys moved to the UAE in 2008. Matt and his business partner started up a coffee roasting company and since then It's grown and grown.
On the eve of the World Cup in Qatar, many people are undecided about how they'll view it, or not view it, literally. On the ground in Doha is a senior correspondent for TV2 in Denmark, Rasmus Tantholdt, who before the tournament has even started has a run in with some overzealous officials who prevented him filming during a live cross.
Toa Samoa may not have won Old Trafford this morning but a lot of people in the world were willing Samoa to win, and certainly a great many in Samoa and Aotearoa. Joining us is Alf Filipaina Auckland City councillor, brother of the late Olsen Filipaina, The Big O, who died earlier this year, and who played top league in Australia, captained Samoa, and also played for New Zealand.
Many of us are feeling the pinch as costs soar and savings shrink, host of the personal finance podcast, Cooking the Books, Frances Cook joins us with some ideas to take a little of the sting out.
Following a huge response from last week's interview, Professor James St John, head of the Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research at Griffith University is back to answer some questions.
Drummer Charlie Watts was known as the quietest member of the Rolling Stones, renowned for his impeccable timing - he didn't think of himself as a rockstar. He was a lover of jazz, and fine fashion.
Dr Zazie Todd is a cat person and a dog person. She trained in human psychology, until a dog named Ghost changed her focus.
Hugh Simpson calls home. Originally from Christchurch he now lives in Transylvania in Romania - where Dracula's castle is. Hugh works remotely as a computer penetration tester (a legal hacker) for a UK based company.
The Herald's bid to confront big national issues and 'Rebuild Better'; annoying left and right wing doesn't mean doing the right thing; irreplaceable images from papers past on the block.
Dr Ali Hill from the Human Nutrition department of Otago University is back once again - this time to talk about sources of Vitamin D, what you can get out of almonds and more. Dr Hill answers your nutrition questions according to research.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have now discovered that bumblebees love to play ball games, and as with humans, young bumblebees like to play more than older ones do.
A world-first study has demonstrated that bacteria can travel through the olfactory nerve in the nose and into the brain in mice, where they create markers that are tell-tale signs of Alzheimer's disease.
NZTA, Waka Kotahi, says NZ is well-placed to benefit from the uptake of electric vehicles on our roads, because of our short average commutes, 22 kilometres a day, because 85% of our homes have off-street parking, although some inner city homes are being designed now in ways to discourage car ownership, and because we have plenty of electricity to accommodate EVs. The Government wants 30% of NZ's light vehicles to be electric by 2035. Overseas, though, questions are being asked about how we are transitioning to these vehicles globally, with regard to safety and affordability. Dr Thomas Neitzert is an engineer, and an emeritus professor at AUT. He used to teach at the University of Stuttgart and at one time worked for Mercedes-Benz, designing safer automobiles.
Author James Grant, aka Lee Child, decided to stop writing his well-regarded books, but the world wouldn't let him. So, he came to an arrangement with his younger brother Andrew, who would take over the writing. There would be a transition period with both of their names on the cover - we're in the middle of that period.
We invited Dr Grainne, author of "Why Do Birds Do That?", back to answer more bird-y questions.
Alfred Hitchcock's spy thriller North by Northwest is regarded as one of the best suspense movies of all time, adapted for the stage by Carolyn Burns, directed by Simon Phillips, and starring Antonia Prebble.
Minister and media puts pressure on name suppression; who are New Zealand's journalists today?
US Correspondent Karen Kasler joins us once again with the latest from the US as pundits predict a 'red wave' in the midterms.
Auckland neuroscientist Dr Angelo Tedoldi travelled around to find out about the role of genes in sexuality to answer why people are gay, straight or bisexual.
We get an update on the Black Ferns clash with France, the All Blacks match against Wales and the Black Caps performance in the T20 World cup with Mark Reason, Senior Sports Columnist with Stuff.
With just one-third (35%) of respondents voting in the recent local body elections, and a draft report of the Review into the future for Local Government due to be released on October 28, 2022, Research New Zealand asked New Zealanders if they voted or not, and what they thought the main reasons were for not voting. Research New Zealand's Emanuel Kalafatelis joins us.
Wildlife ecologist and podcaster Dr Grainne Cleary has written a new book called Why Do Birds Do That?.
This weekend Borland Lodge celebrates its 50th year. In the late 1960s, the campsite was known as Pig Creek Hostel and was a temporary home for Manapouri power scheme workers. Once the project was complete, in 1972, it was handed over to the Southland Youth Adventure Trust in 1972, which later changed its name to the Borland Lodge Adventure and Education Trust. John McHugh was one of the power scheme labourers and has been on the board of the trust for over 30 years.
Dr Ali Hill from the Human Nutrition department of Otago University is back once again. On her nutrition agenda this Sunday morning, the role of Vitamin C with Covid, staying hydrated, salt cravings and the perfect food.
On her @depthsofwikipedia blog, Annie Rauwerda compiles some of Wikipedia's more bizarre pages. One such page, started by an anonymous Wikipedia editor with the username "cgbuff" chronicles the increasing number of Russian oligarchs linked to large energy companies that keep dying in weird ways.
PM's exit speculation goes another round; a doco revival spotlights crime and justice; on the overlap: rugby TV clashes create controversy.
On Calling Home, we head to the city of Lausanne on Lake Geneva, it's been voted the best small city in the world, in the French-speaking area of Switzerland known as Vaud. It's home to athlete and former Olympian, Rebecca Wardell. She now works at the International Olympic Committee headquarters. Lausanne also boasts the Olympic Museum and the Olympic Park on the lake shore. Away from the lake, the city rises in terraces, with plenty of shopping in mediaeval precincts, and there's an impressive 12th century cathedral in the gothic style.
As long COVID touches our lives more and more, the scientific community are rushing to catch up - hindered in no small way by the wide-range of symptoms and severity. Some research is however beginning to join up some of the dots. New Zealand's Dr Richard Webby is a prominent infectious diseases researcher at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Between T20 cricket, the All Blacks playing Japan, the Rugby World Cup quarter-final game against Wales and the Rugby League World Cup there's lots to talk about with RNZ Sports journalist Joe Porter.
Journalist John Campbell's latest podcast premieres on Labour Day on TVNZ. From Egmont to Taranaki "is a personal story of Pakeha me. Who didn't know what I didn't know, until I began discovering it."
The Chinese Communist Party's 20th Congress looks set to give Xi Jinping his unprecedented third term in office as the secretary general of the party. The Party has ruled China since 1949, but it's facing its most difficult economic challenges in 30 years, with GDP predicted to grow between 2 and 3 percent compared with highs of 6-7 percent over the past decade. University of Waikato International Law Professor Dr Al Gillespie is the author of multi-volume books on the Causes of War, and A History Of The Laws of War. And most recently, People, Power & Law: A New Zealand History.
Anna Bibby is living that life that many of us fantasise about living, in France. She's been in a charming old village surrounded by walnut groves; then it was a charming old village surrounded by grape vines. Anna Bibby is calling home this morning from the Gironde region of France, in the south-west, on the Bay of Biscay, near the city of Bordeaux, surrounded by a countryside dotted with vineyards and old chateaux. Anna was born in Wellington then later owned a well-known gallery in Auckland's Herne Bay, and then, in her fifties, 12 years ago, she just moved to France. "If you want a final adventure, jump now" It's been a considerable adventure. Anna Bibby has written a book, it's called Learning to be French (and failing).
Psychologist Professor Marc Wilson takes on some of the latest self-help topics and advice including new research that shines light onto what makes us better-operating humans.
In the last few weeks, Cherneka Johnson, aka Sugar Neekz Johnson, has experienced both triumph and tragedy. Earlier this year, the Brisbane-based boxer (who is Ngāti Ranginui) became the second wahine Māori to win a world boxing title. Now, after winning the IBF World Super Bantam championship, she is the first wahine Māori to retain one. Last month, during Sugar's buildup to the competition, her younger brother Levi was assaulted and killed outside a Brisbane gym.
Auckland Councillor and former international cricketer Peter McGlashan talks us through Saturday's action between New Zealand and Australia at the T20 World Cup.
Bard-gate; on the sidelines of big news in China; chaotic politics sparks crude comebacks - and decency dilemmas.
60 years ago, the Cuban Missile Crisis was deepening. Following the discovery of Soviet nuclear warheads in Cuba there was a 13-day stand-off, and the world was bracing itself for war between the Soviet Union and the United States. Going against advice from his generals, US President Jack Kennedy did a secret deal with Soviet leader Nikita Kruschev. American nuclear weapons were removed from Turkey and in exchange Russian missiles left Cuba. The historian Sir Max Hastings says the Cuban Missile Crisis has frightening lessons for the world now. In his book Abyss, he draws on everything that was said in the White House at the time, and on extensive material as well from Russian officers, Cuban peasants, American pilots, and a whole host of accounts from the people in the middle of that very tense fortnight.
Award-winning food writer, Lucy Corry has written for most of our leading publications, including talking regularly on RNZ. She's the current president of Food Writers NZ, she wrote the Burger Wellington cookbook and was the co-author of Hiakai: Modern Maori Cuisine. She's been on this show before talking about her book Home Cooked, Seasonal Recipes for Every Day, which was well-received in all corners more recently winning the 1010 Printing Award for Best Cookbook at the Publishers Association of New Zealand Book Design Awards.
On a sunny August day, former SAS soldier Tony Williams set out on a mission... at the age of 69 he was too old to join the fighting in the Ukraine so instead, he decided to walk the length of New Zealand to raise funds for the charity Medicines Sans Frontiers, a charity providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Click here if you'd like to donate.
When it comes to Infidelity, most of us have a clear idea where boundaries lie. Having a physical relationship with a third party means trouble. But what about 'emotional infidelity'? Are those naughty texts between you and a 'close' friend still considered 'being unfaithful"? Dr Dougal Sutherland is a registered Clinical psychologist and CEO of Umbrella.
Julie Woods, who lost her sight in 1997, began the challenge of walking every street in Dunedin with her friend and sighted guide, Jo Stodart, three years ago. This weekend she finishes on Every St to coincide with International White Cane Day and as part of Blind Low Vision Week.
More than 4000 people are killed by landmines every year. Nearly half of those are children. When a conflict ends, mines and unexploded bombs, shells and cluster-munitions continue to kill and maim. Former Kiwi Soldier Tony Connell is the Ukraine Country Director for the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action, a non-governmental organisation whose goal is to clear mines and unexploded munitions around the world.
Moira West has a vast collection of house plants. Most of them started as small cuttings traded with friends. She talks us through the different methods of propagation and the tips and tricks for success.
Heated emissions from media on greenhouse gas charging plan; the media and the low, low, local election turnout; ex-media minister's hasty move to lobbying.
Joel Sartore is an American photographer who has spent much of his life focusing - quite literally - on some of the world's rarest and most endangered species. He is a long-time contributor to National Geographic magazine, and is the founder of the Photo Ark, a ground-breaking effort to document species before they disappear-and to get people to care, while there's still time. He has created intimate portraits of an estimated 20,000 species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
More young people are living at home with their parents. The Australian Institute of Family Studies has reported that nearly half a million Australians between the ages of 25 and 34 are at home, or back at home with Mum and Dad. That's a 17% jump in five years. Dr Kate Prickett is a family sociologist and demographer from Victoria University's Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families.
A lot has happened in the fortnight since we last talked to Jack Watling about the war in Ukraine. Annexation referendums have taken place in Russian-occupied areas and their results have been rejected globally. Russian reservists have been called up and Putin has again hinted at the possible use of nuclear weapons. The attack on the Nord stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea is said to have been the biggest single methane release ever recorded. Award winning analyst, Dr Jack Watling is our regular commentator on the military aspects of this war. Jack's the senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the world's oldest and the UK's leading defence and security think tank.
As many of us start to tentatively look beyond a world constrained by covid, new research findings on the after-effects of the virus shed some light on what "post-pandemic" may mean for some. New Zealander Dr Andrew Read is the director of its Institutes of Life Sciences at Pennsylvania State University. He works at the forefront of international research on Covid and specialises in the ways infectious diseases work, with expertise too in how well vaccines cope with them.
We know about the nature versus nurture debate, the combination of genes and environment that affect our chances of success and happiness in life. What also seems important is a random kind of luck, and not just the sort of luck that wins Lotto. Benjamin de Bivort is a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard. His research has made him think another kind of random luck is at play in our lives.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) the world's leading economies are sliding into recession as the Ukraine war sparks energy and inflation crises and cuts growth. There's a variety of opinion about what this means for Aotearoa New Zealand and the severity of what's in store. New Zealander Jeffrey Halley is a former Senior Market Analyst for the OANDA corporation. His analysis has been regularly sought by Bloomberg, the BBC, Reuters, CNBC and the New York Times.
The American Geophysical Union has conducted the first-ever "global inventory of lake colour". Past studies have looked at the health of up to 200 bodies of freshwater at a time, this research looked from space at the hues of 85,360 lakes and reservoirs worldwide over 7 years, using 5.14 million satellite pictures. Dr Catherine O'Reilly is a Professor of Geology at Illinois State University and one of the two lead authors of the study.
Grammy award-winning artist Richard Marx will play in New Zealand for the first time ever next year touring his 13th studio album Songwriter. His 1989 classic Right Here Waiting topped the charts in both Australia and New Zealand and in 2004 his work with Luther Vandross for the song Dance With My Father a won a Grammy for Song of the Year. He also received chart success with songs like Satisfied and Take This Heart.
More rancour on the road to a new public media entity; youth crime facts and headlines don't match; Christchurch Call digs deep into algorithms.
Chris Donovan is calling home this morning, from Germany. Hailing from Putararu originally, Chris now lives with his partner Priscilla and their family near Stuttgart in the country's south-west in a place called Kirchheim unter Teck, which translates roughly as the villlage with a church under a castle.
A brunch recipe this morning from Joshua Ross, the head chef at Bellamy's Restaurant at Parliament, and he has his own Upper Hutt restaurant, Twenty Eight. Josh is flying out this week to compete in the Young Chef of the Year competition in Mexico City, he's up against seventeen other young chefs from around the world who've all won their national competitions, as he has here.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II, has for many reignited the debate about New Zealand becoming a republic. Having canvassed the topic in the past, Research New Zealand have run a new poll to gauge where opinion sits here in Aotearoa. Research New Zealand's Emanuel Kalafatelis joins us with more.
Putin's order for partial mobilisation of military reservists along with the Russian-backed referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk heralds a new phase of the war in Ukraine. Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law at the University of Waikato disusses the opportunites and risks this presents for both sides.
Professor Thomas Neitzert is emeritus professor of mechanical engineering at Auckland University of Technology. He's been taking a look at the future sustainability of electric vehicles.
New research this week from the University of California confirming that adults have poorer cognition but better well-being, as they age. We see significantly worse symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness in younger people, while older people evidence greater mental well-being along with a fading brain. But what are the interventions that improve brain function as we get old? We're joined once again by Dr Ali Hill from the Human Nutrition department of Otago University.
The idea that talking to your plants helps them grow has been mostly debunked, but new research has shed some light on the benefits for ourselves. Nearly half of the people in a Trees.com survey acknowledged that they talk to their plants and most of those believe it has helped their mental health. Gary Altman is a Registered Horticultural Therapist and a Teaching Instructor in the Department of Plant Biology, teaching the Horticultural Therapy Certificate program at Rutgers University in the US.
So many people loved Jim Mora's first conversation with Dr Zazie Todd the animal behaviour expert agreed to come back. The author of Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy answers listeners' questions about cats.
We're on daylight saving time again as we spring forward an hour this weekend. On average you'll have lost 40 minutes of sleep last night as your body adjusted, but of course the trade-off is extra sunlight at the end of the day through summer. Initially intended as a fuel-saving measure when introduced for the first time in the world in the Canadian city of Thunder Bay in 1908, in response to the Great Ontario Candle Drought of 1907. Benjamin Franklin had suggested the idea back in 1784, as a way to economize on sunlight and burn fewer candles during winter mornings and nights. But what does it mean for our sleep? We hear from Dr Beth Ann Malow, a Professor of Neurology and Paediatrics and Director of the Sleep Division at Tennessee's Vanderbilt University.
If you've been keeping up to date with HBO's latest Game of Thrones sequel House of The Dragon, you might have some questions about the dragons. Not least, could something that size even get off the ground? Dr Guy Gratton believes they could. And he should know, he's a professor of aviation and Visiting Senior Research Fellow in Aeronautics at Brunel University in London, a qualified mechanical engineer and a flight test expert.
QE2, queues and cultural cues; the push for open justice; minister prods TVNZ over public media progress; 'tis the season for tomato angst.
Musician Ellery Daines is calling home this week from the northernmost city in the world, Tromsø in Norway, known as the gateway to the arctic. LatItude 69 degrees north; 69 degrees south brushes Antarctica. It's a city on the Norwegian Sea built on three land masses. Ellery left Auckland to follow his girlfriend Louise there in 2018, they're married now. He was working for an electricity company here in New Zealand, playing with a little band on the side, but he's found that in Norway he can make a living as a producer and engineer, and he's even released an album.
Food writer Rose Langbein recently shared two brunch recipes from her latest cookbook Summer at Home - Herbed Asparagus & Ricotta Fritters and a Best-ever Omelette. She chats to Jim Mora about cooking with eggs.
We get a reaction to the All Blacks performance in Saturday's Rugby Championship game from Gregor Paul, editor of Rugby World and the Herald on Sunday's voice of rugby.
This past week, Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori /Maori Language Week, kawakawa's had boiling water poured over it up and down Aotearoa. Kawakawa's been used over the years for kidney and stomach problems, stings and cuts and wounds and nettle stings, cramping, bloating, constipation. There seems nothing that 10 good kawa kawa leaves can't do to improve your health. The teas we buy, of course, contain micronutrients, magnesium and zinc and useful bioactive compounds, but can we just shop straight from our gardens for tea? Or even from the gaps between our paving stones? Christchurch's Joanna Wildish knows all about making tea from plants we may usually ignore or even shun. Joanna founded the Otautahi Urban Foraging group, it has a very lively and useful Facebook page where people exchange tips on all manner of topics, with recipes as well for foods we can foraged for.
What happens now in Ukraine, with Russia seemingly on the back foot, and Ukraine being able to front-foot offensives using new weaponry from the West? Award winning analyst, Dr Jack Watling is our regular go-to commentator on the way this war is being fought. He's the senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the UK's leading defence and security think tank. Jack's been up close as the decisions are being made on the Ukraine side.
The more you understand your cat's needs, the more contented it will be, says animal behaviour expert Zazie Todd. She's just released the book Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy.
Curiosity helps us to learn, remember, socialise and be open to other people's points of view. Science writer David Robson says it's well worth pursuing.
Pressure on the platforms to pay for news; a sketchy political poll that ruffled feathers in the capital; photographers recall the Queen.
For centuries, mānuka honey has been known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Now UK researchers have discovered it can help soothe serious drug-resistant lung conditions.
We talk to Christchurch-born Vanda Perry, now the landlady at the Crown Inn in Capel in Surrey, England.
We get the latest from London as preparations for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II continue from RNZ's Corin Dann.
It is the 21st anniversary of 9/11 today. Dr Rachel Yehuda is a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience and director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Rachel is also the director of mental health at New York's James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Anne Wallentine is a writer and art historian based in Los Angeles. She discusses an exhibition at the Getty Center, The Fantasy of the Middle Ages, which depicts how people have reimagined the medieval period in the centuries since.
Caroline Sandford is CEO of the organisation Love Your Career. She has previously written the book Love Your Career, and now comes a new one, Love Your Career Forever.
Peter Gordon, one of the founders of Homeland restaurant in Auckland, joins us this morning to remember the time he cooked for the Queen.
This week Colin Peacock begins by looking at how media here and overseas reacted to the death of Queen Elizabeth the Second. He also looks at the reaction to a new government plan for Maori media - and Lotto coming under scrutiny.
Dr Gemma Paech, a senior lecturer in the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle, talks about the benefits of brown noise in the quest for a better night's sleep.
The BBC's Rich Preston discusses plans for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III.
Father's Day was first observed in NZ at St Matthew's Church, Auckland, St-Matthew-In-The-City now, in 1929, and it first appeared in commercial advertising the following year. St Matthew-in-the-City's first female vicar the Reverend Dr Helen Jacobi talks to Jim Mora.
On our My Current Song segment today, one of our great NZ voices and songwriters. Nadia Reid was educated at Logan Park High School and Queen's High School in Dunedin, and at age 14 she began playing the guitar. Nadia went on to be best female musician in the Smokefreerockquest, she was in a Queen's High madrigal choir that won the New Zealand Choral Federation Millennium Trophy for secondary school choirs in 2009. And she had a youth well spent in the folk clubs and indie scenes of Dunedin and Christchurch.
Loretta Houston-McMillan from Upper Hutt lives in Lesotho, she's been there for a long time running an early childhood education centre in the capital city, Maseru.
Greg Bruce is a feature writer for the NZ Herald and his work's appeared in other well-known publications, and has been twice anthologised in collections. He's won four national media awards. He lives in Auckland with his wife Zanna and three children. He has written a book called RUGBY HEAD - a man, a game, a life, a shambles. On the back of the book it says "Greg Bruce tells the story of a life growing up and becoming a man in a country and culture obsessed with rugby."
Media backlash sparks tax tweak backflip; taking a more sceptical stance for business; Stuff's Sinead Boucher - on the outside of the public media push; rugby media stuck in a rut by repeated defeats.
Coffee helps many people be well and good, evidently, some not, depending on how their bodies metabolise it, but just as we may have thought there's nothing else to know, really, along comes research out of the University of Newcastle. We've never addressed the question of what coffee we should be drinking. Molecular nutritionist Dr Emma Beckett joins us. She's a senior lecturer in the food science and human nutrition school at Newcastle.
Former UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak and current Foreign Secretary Liz Truss are vying to lead the Conservative party in the UK. Whoever wins will become Prime Minister, replacing Boris Johnson. The final vote, the ballot, closed yesterday, our time, and the result is tomorrow, UK time. Somewhere around 160,000 Conservative voters have made this decision. Truss will become Britain's third female prime minister, or Sunak its first non-white one.
Gregor Paul is one of our top rugby writers, widely-read in the NZ Herald, and the author of a number of books on rugby, including 'The Reign of King Henry', 'Black Obsession' and 'For the Love of the Game'.
Dr Mark Thomas from Auckland University answers some follow-up questions to last week's topic of handwashing.
For this morning Jim starts with research into that perennial topic of video gaming. Professor Marc Wilson from Victoria University's School of Psychology joins Jim to discuss the latest on the topic.
A study out of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich has concluded that, on average, a shared e-scooter creates 51 more grams of CO2 per kilometer than the means of transport it's replacing.
Is the Jetsons future here at last? Not so fast says Courtney Rubin, a prominent journalist who's been researching this. Courtney's work's appeared in the NYT, Bloomberg Business Week, Rolling Stone and other major publications.
Dr Ali Hill is from the Human Nutrition department of Otago University. Artificial sweeteners, Vitamin D, a surfeit of salt, and are there really top foods that we should all maximising in our diets?
Abbas Nazari authored the book After The Tampa from Afghanistan to New Zealand. Abbas is back in Auckland for the writers festival, Jim catches up with him.
For 45 years now George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers, the name of the state tends to be left out these days, have played what was once-called lunchbucket rock and roll. George Thorogood talks to Jim.
Well-known master chef and now food importer Simon Gault has some tips about making a great brunch including a perfectly poached egg.
Pushback on public media legislation; Guy Williams - comedian caught up in current affairs; radio interview opportunities for PM go begging.
Stuart Muir lives in Lexington, Kentucky, the horse capital of the world, and Stuart's a farrier at the world-famous, world-leading, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Stuart is this week's Calling Home guest.
RNZ's Clay Wilson was at the AB's vs Pumas match. He joins Jim for a break down of the game.
Dr Antonius Wiehler is a cognitive neuroscientist at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital in France, and thinks he and his colleagues may have an answer about being mentally tired.
The annual Auckland Writers Festival is upon us, Waituhi o Tamaki, one of the best-attended festivals in the world, and on Festival Director Anne O'Brien talks to Jim.
Australian Anne Perrottet is a counsellor with a number of degrees to her name, based these days in the U.S. Her husband John worked for the World Bank, he's a financial consultant. She's also raised 13 children.
Exercise is important, but when to do it? It depends on what you need exercise to do for you. Dr Mandy Hagstrom is a New Zealander at the University of NSW, she's an exercise scientist whose work focuses on resistance training. S
Andrea Sheardown found a new way of living after being told she hardly any time left. She talks to Jim about her next challenge and what happened 7 years ago when she was told she only had six weeks to live.
Dr Sharma's political drama played out in the press; media zero in on candidates from the fringes; 'Fire and Fury' confronts conundrum of how to cover conspiracists.
Calling Home this morning, a very familiar name, and voice Don McGlashan. He's calling home from Canada where he lives with his wife Canadian, Ann Macdonell, Director of Library Advancement at Simon Fraser University.
An intriguing boxing contest is on this morning in Saudi Arabia, the rematch between the UK's Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk from Ukraine. Kevin Barry talks to Jim.
There was interesting and much-discussed opinion from Westpac this past week about how the New Zealand economy won't enter a recession. Jim talks to Jeffrey Halley about the latest economic data.
This week Professor Hypponen talks to Jim about vitamin D and calcium supplements and any links it has to alzheimer's - a query that has come from our listeners.
It's Elvis Week in Memphis, running till this coming Thursday New Zealand time. Elvis Week 2022 marks the 45th anniversary of Elvis' death. Angie Marchese is in charge of the Graceland archives.
Dr Matthew O. Jackson is a Professor of Economics at Stanford. Dr Jackson talks to Jim about the research which concluded that having wealthy friends in childhood boosts your income when you grow up.
Media pile pressure on over MPs misbehaviour and mis-steps; political post-mortems and lessons from the past; punching above our Commonwealth weight?
They call it the Cauldron of South African rugby, Ellis Park in Johannesburg, and this morning the All Blacks faced the Springboks in their second Rugby Championship clash of 2022. Marc Hinton joins Jim from Johannesburg.
Philip Short's book is big, six centimetres thick, but its subject matter is big, too. It's Putin - His Life and Times. Philip is a British journalist and author. He joins Jim to talk about his latest book.
One of the world's great annual events is underway, has been since Friday, the Edinburgh Festival. It includes the Edinburgh Fringe and the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Kiwi soprano Marla Kavanaugh is performing there.
Many pieces of research come out about nutrition. Some contradict previous research, others may make claims that are fascinating, but are they right? We want to scrutinise some new findings under the microscope this morning with Dr Ali Hill from the Human Nutrition department of Otago University. We take notice of these when they're reported in media, especially if the claims are a bit out of the ordinary.
Can Alzheimer’s be triggered by common viruses like shingles and chickenpox. Professor John Fraser, the Dean of Medical & Health Sciences at Auckland University talks to Jim.
Movie director, the former child star Ron Howard on his new movie, 13 LIVES, shot on the Gold Coast of Australia.
Chile's going through a time of transition at the moment as liberal elements in society try to change a constitution which was the legacy of the former dictator Augusto Pinochet. Julian lives just outside the capital, Santiago. It's inland, although within reach of beaches, and for tourists it's also easily within reach of skiing resorts and some top international vineyards. After growing up in Palmerston North where both his parents taught at Massey, his own tertiary qualifications after he left Awatapu College came from universities in London and Canada. Julian's dad's from Christchurch originally but his mum's Canadian.
This coming week the Auckland Libraries and the Genealogical Computing Group are running a Family History Expo, to be shortly followed by the Christchurch City Libraries later this month. Mia Bennett's speaking at them.
The Outta Puff Daddys (OPD), a dance crew from Brighton in the UK have had renewed success online. They've been going for 10 years now, and their fame has gradually spread, rather than busting out, around the world.
The cost of living cash controversy; calls for action over malicious misinformation - and the government review already underway.
So much coverage of the Games in Birmingham, but last week we chatted with Selina Goddard our lawn bowler, who has been less visible. We catch up with her.
Dominic Hoey is a poet, he's an author and a playwright based in Auckland. His debut novel Iceland was a local bestseller, and long-listed for the Ockham Book Award. He uses art, yoga and meditation to help with their mental health.
There's many tales of struggle street for the young and creative. Research NZ set out to find out more about this past week. Its managing partner Emanuel Kalafatelis talks to Jim.
The women's Hammer Throw final has concluded this morning our time in Birmingham, with Julia Ratcliffe defending her Commonwealth Games title. And she has won Silver. Julia talks to Jim.
The greatest rivalry in rugby history was revived this morning. It ended with Springbok victory over the All Blacks - 26 points to 10.
Dr Sam Vaknin is an expert on the narcissism and also been clinically diagnosed as a narcissist himself, so he's got some good insights to share, and to beware of. Dr Vaknin speaks to Jim.
On Aerospace.org this is being called a "massive uncontrolled re-entry". Dr Jan Eldridge is associate professor and HOD for Physics at the University of Auckland, and an expert in Astrophysics, he talks to Jim about the event.
Amanda Ripley is both a journalist and a NY Times best-selling author. She talks to Jim about her latest op-ed about the news media and how to fix it.
US correspondent Karen Kasler talks to Sunday Morning about \ the blue states and red states.
Revolt among Greens' grass roots excites media; new public media legislation takes another step; conflict of interest claims; shock of the news - the art of short, sharp theme tunes.
David Howard's coming up on Calling Home, from Croatia, where he met his wife, and has stayed. It's an area with turbulent history, its savage war of independence isn't a distant memory yet.
Doubts have been raised about the efficacy of RAT test brands in Australia, but we've been reassured that the ones here are picking up the new variants. Dr Andrew Read is at Penn State, Pennsylvania State University, he talks to Jim.
Professor of Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington Marc Wilson shares the latest research on what stress does to us and what other issues it might signal.
The name Higham is highly distinguished in the field of archaeology. Last year we interviewed Oxford University's Professor Tom Higham, originally from Dunedin, on his book How Science is Revealing a New Story of Our Human Origins. Now his dad has a book out too, his memoir. Charles Higham has been an eminent professor of archaeology at Otago, now emeritus, and his new book's called DIGGING DEEP - A Journey into Southeast Asia's past. He's still working at the forefront of discoveries there, extracting DNA from older and older humans there, creating deeper and deeper knowledge all the time of our ancient past as a species, how we lived and organised ourselves. Charles came to Otago University from Cambridge in the 1960s, with wife Polly and a very young Tom, and they have stayed.
How do you address the problem many people have, and not just elderly people, of getting up at night to go to the loo?
It's one of the least-studied human emotional states but one of the most important, cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott studies the science of laughter. As well as being interested in the serious science of brain function Professor Scott likes to have a laugh herself.
Danish native Torbjørn 'Thor' Pedersen is nearing the end of his mammoth mission to visit every nation in the world in a single journey, without taking a single flight.
Dr Richard Neutze is calling home this morning from Gothenburg, Sweden. He grew up on a sheep farm in mid-Canterbury and gained a PhD in Physics at the University of Canterbury before heading off overseas, finally settling down in Sweden where he's been living since 1998.
Dr Jack Watling, senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, gives us the latest on the war in Ukraine and what the next steps are for all involved in the conflict.
When Chris Thompson-Lang served with the Australian military in Afghanistan, he felt mentally prepared to witness the fall of his fellow soldiers. It was the suffering of civilians that was his "undoing". When Chris returned to Australia, the sound of his two kids crying triggered more stress than he could handle. Discovering yoga – and its powerful ability to help get stress out of the body – was what really turned his life around.
Professor Elodie Briefer of the University of Copenhagen is an expert on communication with animals, and how their vocal signals contain information about what species they are, which group they're from, even their age and body size and dominance status. How animals and birds sound, she's discovered, also reflects emotions and mood. She runs a Behavioural Ecology group at her university, with the goal of improving animal welfare.
When it comes to modern relationships, our thumbs do the talking. We swipe right into a stranger's life, flirt inside text bubbles, spill our hearts onto the screen, use emojis to convey desire, frustration, rage. Where once we pored over love letters, now we obsess over response times, or wonder why the three-dot ellipsis came . . . and went. Nobody knows this better than Harvard and Stanford-trained psychiatrist, Dr. Mimi Winsberg who's work frequently finds her at the intersection of Big Data and Big Dating. Her new book Speaking in Thumbs is a guide to the minefield of online communication.
Costa Botes has had a long career directing both drama and documentary film. His latest observational documentary When the Cows Come Home, premieres at this years Whanau Marama: New Zealand International Film Festival and charts the unusual life of musician, journalist, artist and cow whisperer, Waikato's Andrew Johnstone. I love being surrounded by cows. There's no discussion, there's no talk. It's just purely emotional. - Andrew Johnstone on being amongst the herd
When British comedian and writer Max Dickins decided to propose to his girlfriend, he realised there was no one he could call on to be his best man. But Max quickly learned that he wasn't the only man struggling with friendships. In his latest book Billy No-Mates, he explores the barriers men face to forging closer relationships.
Charlotte Everett is calling home this morning, from a houseboat, on a canal off the River Thames in London. Charlotte runs a business called Rebel Tours. Charlie, as she's better-known, studied Politics and Drama at Auckland University, she worked in the business development side of the entertainment industry before moving to London in 2007.
Sick and tired of the Covid sickness; property price predictions run hot in the media; the rugby clash that didn't make headlines.
During the Cold War, the US Air Force installed an arsenal of nuclear weapons across the rural West. About 400 Minuteman III missiles remain ready to launch at a few seconds notice in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska. They are located on bison preserves and Indian reservations. They sit across from a national forest, behind a rodeo grandstand, down the road from a one-room schoolhouse, and on dozens of private farms like the one belonging to Ed Butchers, who has lived for years with a nuclear missile as his closest neighbour. As tensions mount once more betwen Russia and the US, Ed joins us from Fergus County, Montana
It's common to hear people say they can't think of a worse occupation than being a politician, with the stress and the scrutiny and the workloads. It may come as a surprise then, that,according to a resent study by Oxford University and the Queensland University of Technology, politicians live longer than the rest of us, have done across the long sweep of history, and continue to do so. One of study's authors was Professor Adrian Barnett from Queensland University of Technology.
Sports writer, Mark Reason gives his verdict on the All Blacks performance the the series decider in Wellington on Saturday night, with more tests to come against South Africa, Argentina and Australia in August & September .. and longer term - a World Rugby Cup later next year.