Nine To Noon for Friday 23 March 2018
09:05 Power to the people? Wind generated community electricity
Two community groups are hoping to generate wind-powered electricity, amidst calls for changes to make it easier to do so. Investigations into a wind turbine project to supply energy to Blueskin Bay, north of Dunedin, have been in place for at least nine years. Meanwhile, in Paekakariki, north of Wellington, there's an investigation into supplying renewable energy at a cheaper rate. But should such projects, be given any greater weight than others ? Kathryn Ryan speaks with Scott Willis from Blueskin Energy, Paekakariki Community Trust's Murray Williams, and Grenville Gaskell who's the chief executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association.
09:20 Royal NZ Ballet chair fronts up
The chairman of the Royal NZ Ballet, Steven Fyfe, talks with Kathryn Ryan about how the dance company handles bullying, and what being uniquely New Zealand means. The publicly funded company commissioned an independent review after facing criticism over how it has handled employment complaints, and over the high turnover of dancers last year.
09:45 Pacific correspondent Sara Vui-Talitu
News from the Pacific including the backlash after an apparent government ban on Tonga high school girls from playing rugby and boxing, concerns in Vanuatu that the 'tudei' variety of kava is a health risk, and new Pasifika small businesses seek new markets abroad.
10:05 PTSD: A veteran's story of coming back from the brink
Decorated Afghan war veteran Bill Blaikie and his wife Nancy speak to Kathryn Ryan about getting better support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in this country. Lieutenant Colonel Bill Blaikie was Deputy Director of Intelligence for Combined Force Command in Afghanistan in 2004. But when he came back from this last tour of duty he couldn't leave the war behind him. He was suffering from PTSD. Nancy Blaikie said he was no longer the man she married. Bill had a 25-year army career in both Australia and New Zealand, and had to travel back to Australia to get the group therapy he felt he needed, having found a lack of this kind of support for his PTSD at home. Bill and Nancy Blaikie have written a book called Back from the Brink - PTSD: the Human Cost of Military Service.
If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, you can get more information on the Mental Health Foundation's website - www.mentalhealth.org.nz - or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Here are some support options:
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 - available 24/7
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) - available 24/7
- Youthline: 0800 376 633
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666 - available 24/7
- Kidsline: 0800 543 754 - available 24/7
- Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 - 1pm to 10pm weekdays, 3pm to 10pm weekends
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 - available 24/7
10:35 Book review
Laura Caygill reviews The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan, published by HarperCollins.
10:45 The Reading
Baby No Eyes by Patricia Grace (Ep. 15 of 17)
11:05 Music reviewer Grant Smithies
They’re green, they’re hungry, and their roots run deep. Today we take a listen to the triffid-tastic second album from Auckland’s Carnivorous Plant Society, the nation’s leading exponents of “Mexican fantasy music.” Prepare, also, to dampen your hankies after hearing a piano ballad from the unfashionably romantic debut solo album by Dominic Blaazer, followed by a woofer-wilting late-70s reggae classic from the Lone Ranger.
11:30 Sports commentator Brendan Telfer
The first day of the day/night test match at Eden Park turns into one of the greatest days in the history of New Zealand cricket; the White Ferns win their T20 series against the West Indies; and the shock resignation of he Breakers coach Paul Henare.
11:45 The week that was with Te Radar and Gemma Gracewood
A look at the lighter side of the week... A third of vegetarians eat meat when they're drunk; a man sold $50 bags of cannabis on Facebook 'didn't really think' police would be watching; and a Wellington worm farmer has been told to move his illegal operation from a bus stop.