Saturday Morning for Saturday 30 November 2013

8:15 Deborah Blum

Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist, columnist for the New York Times, and writer of the Elemental blog. She has written author of five books including The Poisoner’s Handbook (Penguin, ISBN: 978-0-14311-882-4), and is Professor of Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She visited New Zealand to teach a one-day workshop as part of an intensive course in creative science writing, a first-time joint initiative by the International Institute of Modern Letters and the Science Faculty at Victoria University, and to give a master class at Victoria University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, and a public lecture as part of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s lecture series, At Six.

8:45 Bob Rigg

Bob Rigg is a freelance researcher and writer specialising in nuclear issues, the Middle East, Central Asia, and US foreign policy, a former senior editor of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and former chair of the NZ National Consultative Committee on Disarmament. He recently wrote the article, Syria's Chemical Weapons: is the UN Exceeding its Mandate?, for Open Democracy.

9:05 Steve Rolles

Steve Rolles is Head of Productions and Senior Policy Analyst at Transform Drug Policy Foundation, an international, charitable think tank with staff in the UK and Mexico. He has been visiting New Zealand for the International Drug Policy Symposium, Through the Maze: Cannabis and Health, where he launched the book he co-authored, How to Regulate Cannabis: A Practical Guide (Transform, ISBN: 978-0-9556428-5-2).

9:35 Andy Buchanan

Professor Andrew Buchanan is Professor of Timber Design at the University of Canterbury, and is playing a key role in the international resurgence in the use of timber for large-scale buildings. His main research is in seismic design, where he has developed methods by which joints in timber buildings can be designed to “give” in an earthquake while avoiding permanent damage or deformation. This week, he was awarded the biennial R. J. Scott Medal by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

10:05 Playing Favourites with Cathie and John Rae

Scottish singer, educator and manager Cathie Rae is the eldest of a family of six musicians. She is a director of Thick-Skinned Productions, works regularly on the Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshops, chairs the Jazz Services Touring Panel, and is Development Officer for the Scottish Jazz Federation. Her brother, John, is a composer, drummer and band leader who has been living and working in Wellington since being Composer-in-Residence at the New Zealand School of Music in 2010. He teaches at the New Zealand School of Music, is the co-founder of the New Zealand Jazz Federation, and is the leader and composer for contemporary jazz group The Troubles. John will play, and Cathie will sing alongside Whirimako Black, Lisa Tomlins and other musicians at the one-off Wellington concert, Women in Jazz, (Meow, 30 November)

11:05 Nancy Swarbrick

Nancy Swarbrick is a Wellington historian who has spent most of her career working on major reference projects, notably The Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Her new illustrated history is Creature Comforts: New Zealanders and Their Pets (Otago University Press, ISBN: 978-1-877578-61-8)

11:45 Yanetta Hiko

Yanetta Hiko is the founder and co-director of Hiko Health & Fitness Ltd, which was established to empower Pacific and Maori whanau and community to meet their health goals. She spoke about her experiences at Festival for the Future 2013 last weekend.

Music played during the programme

Details of tracks and artists will be listed on the Playlist section of this page shortly following broadcast.

Studio operators

Wellington engineer: Dominic Godfrey
Auckland engineer: Ian Gordon

Music played in this show

Playlist

Lorde: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
From the soundtrack to the 2013 film: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
(Mercury)
Played at around 9:55

The Topp Twins: Calf Club Day
From the 1994 album: Two Timing
(Topp Twins)
Played at around 11:40

Playing Favourites with Cathie and John Rae

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra: La Sucrier Velours
From the 2013 album: In the Spirit of Duke
(Spartacus)
Played at around 10:15

Michael Marra and the Hazey Janes: Flight of the Heron
From the 2012 EP: Houseroom
(Tob)
Played at around 10:25

The Proclaimers: Sunshine on Leith
From the 1988 album: Sunshine on Leith
(Chrysalis)
Played at around 10:35

Whirimako Black: Sophisticated Lady (Wahine Toitu)
From the 2007 album: Sings
(Mai Music)
Played at around 10:55

Buddy De Franco and Martin Taylor: Whispering/Groovin' High
From the 1984 album: Buddy De Franco Meets Martin Taylor
(Hep)
Played at around 11:05