Nine To Noon

09:05 Infrastructure Summit Day 2: focus on PPPs

First this morning, it's day two of the Infrastructure Investment Summit and it's expected the government will confirm support for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing, and outline what the next steps in the controversial project will be. Yesterday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the government wanted private investment into "anything and everything" and was pushing for bipartisan support. Dozens of international investment firms with trillions under management are at the summit. One of those is Australian-headquartered manager, Plenary, which has committed to bidding on at least five large projects over the next five years. Civil Contractors - which represents the sector, is optimistic that the number of public-private partnership projects will grow, despite Treasury identifying only four are currently ready to go. Chief executive Alan Pollard is at the summit and says the commitment from both Government and private companies is good news for the sector. Kathryn also talks with Professor of Construction Management, at Auckland University of Technology, John Tookey.

09:20 Pest repelling fungus for pasture grass receives Science Award

A plant tech company has won the supreme award at the NZ Science Awards for coming up with a pest-repelling fungust for pastures. Grasslanz Technology is a subsidiary of AgResearch. It developed a particular fungus that deters pests from attacking rye grass. Over its 20-year patent, which has been in place since 2008, it's estimated to have contributed $3.6 billion to this country's farming economy. Grasslanz has been recognised for what the awards described as its 'contribution to the growth of the New Zealand economy through excellent science'. Kathryn speaks to Grasslanz's chief technology officer, John Caradus.

09:35 Ancient towns and gardens discovered in the Amazon previously thought to be untouched

Archaeologists using 3D mapping of the Amazon are uncovering the remains of gardens and forests in areas of the jungle never thought to have been lived in. The scientists in Brazil have been using previously done laser mapping to assess vegetation, to identify areas where earth has been moved to create straight lines or circles, an indication of civilisation. They have discovered 20 sites and predict more than 10,000 others might exist across the Amazon Basin. The research has also indicated the presence of particular plant species, suggesting parts of the Amazon that were previously thought to be pristine, have been influenced by indigenous societies prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus. The lead researcher is Vinicius Peripato an analyst from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research. He joins Kathryn to talk more about what's been discovered and efforts to fund a trip deep into the jungle to find out more.

09:45 Pacific correspondent Koroi Hawkins

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins talks to Kathryn about The United States trade war and the implications for the Pacific, and accusations Cook Islands deep sea mining companies are using charity to change public perception. Plus, the declaration Papua New Guinea is now a Christian Nation and a lookahead to the region's upcoming sporting commitments. 

10:05 Sonny Vaccaro: the ad exec who signed Michael Jordan to Nike

He's described as the 'Godfather of summer basketball'. Sonny Vaccaro is the son of Italian immigrants who grew up in a Pennsylvania steel town with a passion and talent for American football and basketball. When his college football career was cut short through injury, he turned to basketball recruiting and set up a seminal competition called the Roundball Classic. But it was his pivot to the shoe business where he made his name - and fearless reputation. As an advertising executive for Nike in the 80s, he helped sign the then relative-unknown Michael Jordan for a US $2.5 million deal that netted the company $126m off the Air Jordan sneaker line in the first year alone. He repeated the feat at Adidas in the 90s with Kobe Bryant. His story was told in the movie Air, starring Matt Damon as Sonny in 2023 - but now, at the age of 85, his memoir Legends and Soles goes into depth of what it took to cement those deals.

10:35 Book review: The Intimacy Bus by Janet Charman 

Harry Ricketts reviews The Intimacy Bus by Janet Charman published by Otago University Press

10:45 Around the motu: Robin Martin in Taranaki

Robin updates Kathryn on the latest events in Taranaki including developments on the Mt Messenger bypass, there's a shortage of radiology staff at Taranaki Base, and Womad is coming up this weekend.

Robin Martin is a RNZ reporter based in Taranaki.

11:05 Music reviewer Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor from Slow Boat Records plays new music from Reb Fountain and Bob Mould, plus the 'big serve' of Cindy Lee's "Diamond Jubilee".

11:30 Sports commentator Sam Ackerman

Sam looks ahead to Liam Lawson's long-awaited Formula One debut at the Melbourne Grand Prix, the next steps for Joseph Parker who is set to fight Oleksandr Usyk following WBO orders, and The Warriors who are looking to right the wrongs of Vegas and kickstart their season.

11:45 The week that was with Irene Pink and Elisabeth Easther

Comedians Irene Pink and Elisabeth Easther discuss some goings on from the last seven says - including South Auckland business Cheesecake Shop Papatoetoe which was wrecked in ram raid...for a $52 cake.