Afternoons for Tuesday 15 July 2025

 

1:10 Keeping kids warm: Are they actually okay without a coat?

Why is it such a battle to get kids to put on warm clothing? In the middle of winter?

We talk to the Parenting Place to find out if it's actually okay to let them go out without a coat on. 

 

1:20 Weather event reporting and why climate change hasn't been mentioned

As you've seen across the news, the Nelson and Tasman Districts have been hammered with adverse weather. 

Homes flooded, properties ruined, and livelihoods turned upside down.

There have been lots of stories about the terrible weather events, but according to Bernard Hickey, none of them mentioned climate change. 

Bernard Hickey asks why not. 

1:35 Why new research could see headgear actually helping rugby players

While some rugby players choose to wear headgear, those thin, foam caps don't prevent concussions, so many choose not to. 

But now, research has found isotropic materials may offer more comfort and protection for players. 

Nick Draper, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Canterbury chats to Jesse.

1:40 A new way to identify pathogens and how it could drastically reduce pesticide 

New Zealand farmers use well over 3,000 tonnes of pesticide annually.

But a new genomic study has discovered a way to potentially cut that by 80%.

Using DNA sequencing technology, Lincoln University scientists believe it's possible to stop mass applications and instead switch to a targeted approach.

Currently the project - led by Lincoln University Associate Professor Dr Chris Winefield - is focusing on vineyards.

1:45 Is the podcast "The Worst Idea Of All Time" actually the best idea?

With 18 million downloads, "The Worst Idea of all Time" is one of our most successful podcasts.

Ali Ventura shares why she thinks it is so good, plus she looks at podcasts Redhanded and Good Hangs.

2:10 Bringing magic to life through books

Catherine Ross, the Director of Library at Auckland Grammar School, shares her picks for the tweens and teens in your life. 

For ages 11+, The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.

For ages 13+, Ordinary Monsters (Book 1 in Trilogy) by J.M. Miro.

For ages 14+, Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor; Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid, The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. 

Click here for more information.

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster: An Amazing Story of Survival

It's the kind of story you can imagine becoming a Hollywood feature film, a German backpacker found alive and well after two weeks lost in the Western Australian outback.

Brad Foster shares the latest on the story with Jesse.

2:30 Music Feature: The legendary Mavis Staples.

This week for our music feature, Dianne Swann is here to guide us through the music of the greatest singers of all time, the legendary Mavis Staples

Mavis has spent over 70 years on stage, she began her career at just 8 years old when she debuted as a singer with her family band 'The Staple Singers'.

She later forged a remarkable solo career and became a powerful voice in the civil rights movement 

Over the decades, Mavis has sung across a wide range of genres - including gospel, soul, folk, pop, R&B, the blues, rock, and hip hop.

3:10 Bringing back extinct animals: Why, how and why again?

Sir Peter Jackson got everyone talking with his plans to bring back the moa (in in partnership with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at Canterbury University and Canterbury Museum).

But he's not the first to want to resurrect the past, earlier this year Texas company Colossal Biosciences announced it had successfully brought back 3 dire wolf cubs after 10 thousand years of extinction. 

Jesse talks to a member of the Colossal team, Dr Andrew Pask. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.