CRITTER T-SHIRTS ARE BACK

To celebrate all things Aotearoa native fauna and flora we have a new Critter of the Week t-shirt back for 2023.

The super talented Giselle Clarkson has designed a new image for the shirts and tote bags.

There is a cut off date for pre-orders so they arrive in time for Christmas deliveries to friends and loved ones.

Follow this link and place your order. Five dollars for each t-shirt and tote bag sold goes back to environmental volunteer groups around Aotearoa which are working hard to keep our unique critters safe from extinction.

Order your COTW 2023 t-shirts and or totes by clicking here.

Critter of the Week t-shirts collage

Photo: supplied

1:15 Funding to help a new therapy for bipolar disorder

A new psychological therapy for bipolar disorder is being investigated - this thanks to the announcement of more than half a million dollars granted to Christchurch health researchers from the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation.

Six research projects are set to receive their share of the funds from the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation to undergo research that could drastically help New Zealanders with a range of health conditions.

Our next guest, Dr Katie Douglas, is one of the recipients of the funding. She speaks to Jesse about how the money will be used for a new therapy for treating bipolar disorder.

Dr Katie Douglas.

Dr Katie Douglas. Photo: Dr Katie Douglas

1:25 Unashamed berm grower on his mission

It's not often a roadside berm is described as an oasis.

Mark Van Kaathoven has a green thumb.

For almost 30 years he's planted and cultivated a backyard garden that is now rated one of Auckland's five-star gardens by NZ Gardens Trust alongside the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Cornwall Park and the Wintergardens.

Then he moved onto the berm.

In Mark's street in Freemans Bay the public can enjoy a moment of tranquility under a high, lush canopy which is teeming with bird and insect life.

It's been the subject of recent controversy when AT threaten to give the berm a chop.

The berm however, protected his property during the floods, and has led to his work supervising the planting at Freemans Bay park and the discovery of a piece of local history. Mark speaks to Jesse.

Mark Van Kaathoven, pictured with the original pavers from the Bluestone Road

Mark Van Kaathoven, pictured with the original pavers from the Bluestone Road Photo: Mark Van Kaathoven

1:35 Classic children's cook book now in te reo Māori; Taku Puka launched

Every house hold in Aotearoa at some point was home to an Edmonds cook book. It has been a staple of kiwi cooking since it was originally published in 1908.

Now there's a new much more modern edition available for children to cook and learn te reo at the same time!

Stacey Morrison is an Edmonds ambassador and strong proponent of te reo Māori, she talks to Jesse about the icon book being published in te reo.

Edmonds Cook Book Taku Puka

Edmonds Cook Book Taku Puka Photo: supplied

1:45 AUDI Five Cities series on display in Hamilton East

A small Hamilton gallery is hosting a spectacular series show casing 5 cities around Aotearoa simply called AUDI Five Cities.

The Welcome Swallow Gallery in Hamilton East is hosting the event on this coming Friday night which is showing artworks by Sandra Turner-Barlow of Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Dunedin and Christchurch.

Gallery curator Clive Gilson talks to Jesse.

Five Cities exhibition

Five Cities exhibition Photo: supplied

2.12 Podcast Critic: Ximena Smith

Today Ximena talks to Jesse about Dear Alana from Tenderfoot TV. It's a story about the life of Alan Chen who took her own life in 2019 in Colorado. Ximena also reviews a fictional podcast starring Rosamund Pike and Hugh Laurie called People Who Knew Me.

2:25 Bookmarks with Craig Sisterson

This week's Bookmarks guest is Craig Sisterson, a crime writing author who's been shortlisted for awards in both the UK and U.S.

He's also the editor of Dark deeds down under - an anthology of Australian and New Zealand crime writing.

He joins Jesse from the UK to talk about what he enjoys reading, watching and listening to in his down time.

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Photo: Supplied

3:10  The secret to success for Abbey Road recording studios

It is the most famous zebra crossing anywhere in the world, the one on Abbey Road in St John's Wood, London. What began life as an affluent suburban house is now considered one of the greatest recording studios in the world.  The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Abba; so many artists who recorded there have had their stories told.  Now it's Abbey Road's turn.  Legendary music journalist David Hepworth documents the 90 plus year history of  music's hallowed ground, including a Kiwi's key role in breathing new life into old recordings in his book,  "Abbey Road: The Inside Story of the World's Most Famous Recording Studio."

Abbey Road book cover

Abbey Road book cover Photo: supplied

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Coming up on Our Changing World - researchers at the University of Auckland have developed and trialed a new digital therapy to help tinnitus sufferers retrain their brain. Claire Concannon finds out how it works.

A portrait of Emily in a sun hat and glasses with a boy over her right shoulder, with a backdrop of bright blue sky. She is smiling and wearing a blue polka dot top.

Emily Lane took part in the tinnitus digital therapy trial. Photo: Supplied

3:45 The Panel with Julie Woods and Nick Leggett