1:10 First song

1:15 The Port Hills fire: nine months on

Fire and Emergency services are now saying a better response to the massive Port Hills fires earlier in the year could have saved some houses.

And they're now saying the cause behind the fires is suspicious.

Vikki and Doug Pflaum's house on Worsely's Road was one of those destroyed.

Jesse asks Vikki how she's doing nine months on.

Doug and Vikki Pflaum scan the fire from the flat to see whether or not the flames have reached their house in the Port Hills.

Doug and Vikki Pflaum scan the fire from the flat to see whether or not the flames have reached their house in the Port Hills. Photo: RNZ / Joelle Dally

1:25 New centre for questions about life the universe and everything.

Richard Easther from the physics department at the University of Auckland talks about Te Ao Mārama - the Centre for Fundamental Inquiry. A new centre looking for the answers to life's biggest questions.

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Photo: 123rf.com

1:35 How to be a boss

What does it take to be a leader in New Zealand?

Wellington leadership specialists, Andrea Thompson and Nick Sceats, have written a book about New Zealand leaders called Leaders Like You.

They've talked to some of New Zealand's most successful business leaders and some from smaller organisations, even schools, who are leading everything from Xero, to Wellington Zoo, to the dance company Black Grace.

https://catapult.co.nz/resources/leadership-book/

1:40 Great album: Tiger Lily - Natalie Merchant

2:10 Film Review with Richard Swainson

Today Richard reviews Thor Rangnarok and Tulip Fever

2:20 Destination Playgrounds: are they worth it?

Hamilton mother of three Angela Cuming says destination playgrounds are more accessible and interesting than the usual neighbourhood playgrounds.

Destination playgrounds are accessible for people with disabilities, they often have equipment that is easy to play with and seats for parents to watch their kids.

But the Hamilton City Council is moving to slash funding for further destination playgrounds in more and cheaper neighbourhood playgrounds. It's part of cost-cutting the council is having to do in face of its 17 million dollar deficit.

Angela Cuming explains to Jesse just what a destination playground is and why they're needed.

2:30 NZ Live

Auckland band The Beths pop into the studio to talk to Jesse and play songs from their EP and forthcoming album.

The four-piece are Jonathan Pearce, Benjamin Sinclair, Ivan Luketina-Johnston and Liz Stokes.

Liz is on the committee for Girls Rock Camp - a school holiday programme for 12 - 17 year old girls to form bands, write and perform songs. They are also fundraising for the programme for January 2018.

The Beths on NZ Live November 3 2017

The Beths on NZ Live November 3 2017 Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

3:10 Food with Mark Southon

O’Connell Street Bistro in Auckland is celebrating it's 20th birthday, and it's head chef, Mark Southon is about to release a cookbook, Southon Cooking.

He talks us through his recipe for Chocolate Fondant with Jelly Tip log

Chocolate Fondant with Jelly Tip Log

Chocolate Fondant with Jelly Tip Log Photo: From Southon Cooking

3:20 Gardening with Lynda Hallinan

3:25 Critter of the Week Cook's Scurvy Grass

New Zealand has several species in the genus Lepidium - the coastal cresses - and many of them are "in serious trouble" and very endangered.  Without conservation management, extinction of one or more species is highly likely. 

Today in Critter of the Week with Nicola Toki of DoC, we focus on one of those species, Nau, which grows in many different coastal places in NZ but is the only endemic coastal cress found in the far north. 

It also has a connection with a historical visitor to that region

Cook's Scurvy Grass: Lepidium oleraceum

Cook's Scurvy Grass: Lepidium oleraceum Photo: Crown Copyright DOC P.J. de Lange

3:45 The Pre-Panel Story of the Day and One Quick Question

4:05 The Panel with Stephanie Rodgers and Jock Anderson