Nine To Noon

Jill Hermansen, the founder of Jill's Complements, is a trained chef with a rich background, including positions in prestigious London venues. In this engaging conversation, she shares the heartwarming story behind her family's cooking traditions and the creation of her award-finalist Rustic Seed Crackers. Jill reveals anecdotes from her time serving royals and celebrities, and discusses her decision to pivot from a promising career working for Gordon Ramsay to start her own food business in Whanganui, driven by her family's cherished recipes.

Political commentators Tim Hurdle, a former senior adviser and strategic communications consultant, and Peter Dunne, a former MP and leader of United Future, dive into pressing political issues. They discuss the fallout from the damning IPCA police report and highlight deep-seated cultural problems within the police force. The duo analyzes the implications of Te Pāti Māori's internal split and shifts in public support illustrated by recent polls. They also tackle the asset sales debate and examine the government's climate policies ahead of COP30, critiquing rapid lawmaking processes.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Hunt, a senior journalist at The Post online focusing on Wellington's civic matters, shares intriguing insights into local politics. He reveals how the Wellington City Council lost $3.5 million in carbon trading due to a surprise policy shift. Tom also highlights the contrasting responsiveness of the Hutt Council compared to Wellington and dives into former mayoral candidate Ray Chung's new PR strategy following campaign errors. Additionally, he teases exciting new festivals aimed at revitalizing the local event scene.

Cynthia Morahan, a regular book reviewer, dives into Anne Enright's essay collection, Attention. She highlights the book's structure of 24 essays split into Voices, Bodies, and Time. In Voices, Enright reflects on fellow writers, while Bodies tackles challenging topics like consent. The Time section showcases Enright's narrative flair. Cynthia emphasizes the author's keen attention to detail and emotional depth, particularly in the poignant House Clearance essay. Enright's connection to Ulysses is also revealed throughout, making this collection a recommended read.

Dr. Tom Williams, a Waikato-born microbiologist and CEO of Number 8 Bio, discusses his company's revolutionary feed additive designed to cut livestock methane emissions by as much as 90%. He explains how the organic small molecule targets rumen microbes, turning methane into metabolic energy and improving animal productivity. Tom shares insights on the research journey, regulatory challenges for market entry, and the innovative bolus formulation that enables controlled release of the supplement for grass-fed livestock.

Professor Christian Hartinger, a leading scientist at the University of Auckland and recipient of the Hector Medal, dives into his groundbreaking work using metals to create next-gen cancer drugs. He explains how platinum compounds bind to DNA to kill cancer cells and discusses promising alternatives like ruthenium and osmium. Hartinger emphasizes the importance of designing specific compounds to minimize side effects and overcome cancer resistance. He champions blue-sky research, illustrating its significance with real-world applications like MRI technology.

Debora Patta, an investigative journalist and Africa correspondent based in South Africa, delves into crucial issues affecting the continent. She discusses the UN's inquiry into mass killings in Sudan, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and alarming levels of child malnutrition. Patta also examines the implications of the U.S. absence at the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa and refutes the false narrative of a white genocide in the country. Additionally, she connects deadly landslides in Kenya and Uganda to climate change, shedding light on their devastating impact.

Sharon Hall, Operations Director at The Learning Connexion, and Grant Barriball, a creativity teacher there, discuss an innovative art exhibition showcasing transformed prisoners' shoes. They emphasize the program’s role in prisoners' rehabilitation and personal growth over nearly two decades. Each uniquely decorated shoe tells a powerful story of expression and resilience, highlighting creative potential even with limited materials. The exhibition not only celebrates artistic talent but also fosters hope and visibility for over 50 artists from various prisons.

Andrew Robinson, an endurance cyclist, is tackling the ambitious challenge of completing all 23 Great Rides in New Zealand within 30 days while fundraising for Movember and men's health. He shares insights into his journey from the North Island, describing the physical toll each ride takes and the weather challenges he faces. Andrew reflects on the stunning landscapes, revealing emotional responses to trails like the Timber Trail, and highlights local support along his route. He updates listeners on his resting arrangements and strategy adjustments for the Great Taste Trail.

Warren Forster is a barrister and advocate for ACC claimants, challenging decisions by the ACC. He discusses the controversial plan to use AI for identifying long-term claimants to cut costs, warning it could lead to wrongful exits. Forster sheds light on the alarming statistic that only 10% of those exited returned to work. He critiques the lack of effective rehabilitation plans and the pressure on claimants to comply with assessments. The conversation highlights the broader economic and social implications of flawed ACC policies, emphasizing urgent need for reform.