09:05 Public support high for accessibility standards, so why no Act?  

New Zealanders with a range of disabilities are scaling up their efforts to introduce much needed accessibility legislation that would set out a minimum access standard for workplaces, public infrastructure and transportation. The newly created Access Alliance has written an Open Letter calling on all political parties to commit to the legislation, and is pointing to new UMR research that shows very high levels of support for a law among the public. Currently there are no specific standards on what organisations must do to become fully accessible, and there are no penalties for non-observance. Kathryn Ryan talks to David Lepofsky who is an acclaimed Canadian Lawyer, activist and academic, and blind himself,  who helped pass pivotal pieces of Canadian accessibility legislation; and Amy Hogan who is a writer and researcher for the Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand.

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Photo: UMR/ The Access Alliance


 

09:25 Living with Robots

University of Auckland's Professor of Connectivity, Darl Kolb, on what life will be like for humans as robots have an increasing presence in our lives. Darl Kolb's main research interest has been in the area of managing personal and organisational connectivity for performance and well-being.

industrial robot

industrial robot Photo: wikicommons

09:45 USA correspondent Steve Almond

Kathryn Ryan talks to Steve Almond about how the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Harvey will change the agenda in Washington; and North Korea's latest nuclear hostilities.

Merlin Thomas

Merlin Thomas Photo: supplied

10:05 Ways to live a long and healthy life

Top ways to live a long and healthy life, with Australian physician and research scientist, Professor Merlin Thomas. He is the author of a new book, The Longevity List. It's a guide based on relatable science aimed at steering people away from fad and hype, and towards focusing on simple things that can be adopted for a healthier existence. Merlin Thomas is a professor of medicine and he runs a research unit at Monash University.

10:35 Book review

Stella Chrysostomou has been reading Pulse Points:stories by Jennifer Down.

10:45  The Reading:

It's part two of The Changeover by Margaret Mahy, read by Miranda Harcourt.

The feature film adaptation of The Changeover opens in cinemas around the country on 28th September 2017.

It is directed by Miranda Harcourt and Stuart McKenzie and stars Timothy Spall, Melanie Lynskey, Lucy Lawless, Nick Galitzine, Dame Kate Harcourt — and introduces young NZ actor Erana James (Ngati Whatua Orakei, Waikato Tainui) as Laura Chant.

Listen to more about the movie and the book by clicking on these links:

Miranda Harcourt and Bridget Mahy talk about The Changeover

Hannah August reviews the original book

11:05 Business commentator Rod Oram

Kathryn Ryan talks to Rod Oram about the calming of the housing market.

11:30 Surfing a sustainable wave

Organic Dynamic

Photo: Wilson & Co media

Jack Candlish heads up Organic Dynamic, which makes sustainable surfboards from locally-sourced timber and recycled polystyrene. Jack's is one of six businesses to be named finalist in this year's Wellington Low Carbon Challenge. Surfboards are prized possessions. Jack makes boards to measure and personalises them by burning decorative art-work into the wood.

11:45 Media commentator Gavin Ellis

Gavin Ellis looks at the different approaches taken by two television networks to the leaders debates; and some Nelson Mail readers are disgruntled that printing has moved to Christchurch.

Gavin Ellis is a media commentator and former editor of the New Zealand Herald. He can be contacted on gavin.ellis@xtra.co.nz

Music played in this show

Artist:   The Smiths
Song: This Charming Man
Composer: Morrissey / Marr
Label: Warner
Time: 09:35

Artist:   The Ventures
Song: Wipe Out
Time: 11:28