Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Guest details for Saturday Morning 28 November 2009

8:15 Roger Donaldson

After his first features, Sleeping Dogs and Smash Palace, New Zealand filmmaker Roger Donaldson went to Hollywood where he directed a number of films, including Cocktail, No Way Out, Thirteen Days and The Bank Job. Early in his career he made the documentary Offerings to the God of Speed, about Invercargill racing driver Burt Munro, and he dramatised his life story in the 2005 feature The World's Fastest Indian, starring Anthony Hopkins. The research he amassed on Burt Munro over the past 30 years has been gathered for a new book, The World's Fastest Indian: Burt Munro - a Scrapbook of His Life (Random House, ISBN: 978-1-86979-207-7), which includes a DVD of over two hours of special features including Offerings to the God of Speed.

8:35: Steve Jones

British biologist Steve Jones is professor of genetics and head of the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London. He is a leading expert on the evolution of snails, and one of Britain's most notable science popularisers, contributing regularly to radio and television programmes, and The Daily Telegraph. He will discuss chasmology (yawning).

9:05 Judith Binney

Dame Judith Binney is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Auckland, and the author of several books including Redemption Songs, which won the Montana Book of the Year, 1996. Her new book, Encircled Lands: Te Urewera 1821-1920 (Bridget Williams Books, ISBN: 978-1-877242-44-1), documents the hundred years, following first European contact, of Tuhoe and their land.

9:45 Language with Jen Hay

Jen Hay is Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Canterbury, and is principal investigator of the Origins of New Zealand English project (ONZE). She will talk about "lazy" New Zealand pronunciation, and changes to intensifiers.

10:05 Playing Favourites with Lawrence Arabia

James Milne, a.k.a. Lawrence Arabia, won the 2009 APRA Silver Scroll for the song, Apple Pie Bed, which he co-wrote with Luke Buda. Also this year, he released his second solo album, Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records), signed international recording deals for the UK and USA, and collaborated with Bic Runga, Crowded House and Connan Mockasin for their upcoming albums. He is a member of the Hackman collective, producers of the interactive theatre production, APOLLO 13: Mission Control, which will return to Wellington for a season at Downstage during the New Zealand International Arts Festival. Next month, Lawrence Arabia embarks on his Decade of New Zealand tour, with gigs in Wellington (10 December), Christchurch (11 December), Dunedin (12 December) and Auckland (22 December).

11:10 Adrian Raeside

Adrian Raeside is a New Zealander living in Whistler, Canada, where he is a cartoonist for the Victoria Times Colonist. He is the author of Return to Antarctica (Wiley, ISBN: 978-0-470-15380-2), about the adventures of his grandfather, Charles "Silas" Wright, on Robert Scott's expedition to the South Pole.

11:45 Children's Books with Kate De Goldi

Kate De Goldi will discuss two new books, and a revamped classic:
Cowshed Christmas by Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop (Random House, ISBN: 978-1-86979-073-8);
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick Press, ISBN: 978-0-7636-4410-9);
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, illustrated by PJ Lynch (Walker Books, ISBN: 978-1-4063-0579-1).

Music played on the programme

The Low Anthem: Charlie Darwin
From the 2009 album: Oh My God, Charlie Darwin
(Nonesuch)
Played at around 9:30

Lawrence Arabia: Apple Pie Bed
From the 2009 album: Chant Darling
(Honorary Bedouin)
Played at around 10:05

Playing Favourites with James Milne aka Lawrence Arabia

David Bowie: Lady Grinning Soul
From the 1973 album: Aladdin Sane
(RCA Victor)
Played at around 10:20

Jonathan Richman: That Summer Feeling
From the 1992 album: I, Jonathan!
(Rounder)
Played at around 10:30

Daniel Johnston: Pothead
From the compilation album: Early Recordings Volume 1: Songs of Pain 1980-83 (and More Songs of Pain)
(Dualtone)
Played at around 10:45

Roy Orbison: In Dreams
From the 1963 album: In Dreams
(Monument)
Played at around 10:55

Studio operation

Line producer: Sean McKenna
Wellington engineer: Phil Swallow
Auckland engineer: Ian Gordon