Saturday Morning

7.11 Marama Davidson back in politics

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has announced she is ready to return to politics and she's looking forward to Waitangi as her first engagement.

Following a routine mammogram she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she had a part mastectomy followed by cancer treatment.

In a frank and revealing interview she spoke with RNZ's Mata programme about how challenging and humbling these past few months have been.

 

7.21 The latest from Gaza and Israel

Joyous families are being reunited, and Palestinians are making the grim march back to what is left of their homes amid rubble and ruin after 15 months of Israeli bombardment.

This is the first stage of a ceasefire in which Hamas must handover 33 hostages - captured during its assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In return Israel must release about 1900 Palestinians.

To the north, there's another ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel which - just this week - was extended.

The deal there requires both the armed group Hezbollah and Israeli soldiers to withdraw.

BBC's Middle East Correspondent Sebastian Usher explains the situation.

 

7.32 Resurgence of rickets

There's been an alarming resurgence of cases of rickets across the country.

The condition causes deformed bone growth and in the worst cases, seizures - leading to death.

Ben Wheeler is a professor at the University of Otago's Department of Women and Children's Health.

He says the last time there was a significant rise in rickets in Aotearoa - about a decade ago - there were 60 cases in three years.

This time, there have been 20 cases in just four months.

 

7.40 Politics look ahead with Jo Moir

From a substantial cabinet reshuffle, the start of oral submissions on the Treaty Principles bill, and lately, talk of privatisation - there's lots happening in politics.

There's plenty more to come too - in May of course, David Seymour will take over from Winston Peters as Deputy Prime Minister.

RNZ political editor Jo Moir gives the lowdown on what's ahead this year.

 

7.53 'Sit in' protest at Wellington's Begonia House

A 'sit in' at the Begonia House is taking place tomorrow, Sunday 2nd Feb, to protest its possible demolition.

Wellington City Council has identified the Botanic Gardens' iconic building as an unsafe public space.  

It's being considered for demolition in the council's long-term plan, with no replacement planned.

Friends of Wellington's Botanic Gardens believe they can renew the building for under $3 million and have a petition on the go to save it, currently standing at more than 7000 signatures. 

Beloved by Wellington locals and visitors, the Begonia House and cafe was built in 1960 to house exotic plants and is used for events such as weddings.

Mazz Scannell is the president of the Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden.

 

8.11 Living in harmony with Te Tiriti - Dayle Takitimu​

A new survey by The Human Rights Commission shows the majority of New Zealanders agree that harmonious race relations through honouring Te Tiriti is important. 72% in fact, which is up from the 66% who agreed in the last survey.

Nearly 90% of people in Aotearoa believe it’s important for everyone to feel a sense of belonging. 

Dayle Takitimu is the commission's Rongomau Taketake, Indigenous Rights Governance Partner. 

8.35 Jennifer Tierney: Helping where help is needed most

2024 saw an unprecedented strain on global humanitarian services, and that demand is set to continue this year beyond Gaza to Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine and the DR Congo.

Médecins Sans Frontières has seen staff and patients put at higher risk, and the aid they provide being interfered with.

Jennifer Tierney is the executive director of the Australasian branch of MSF.  She joins Susie to discuss the hot spots anticipated for 2025.

9.06 The science of pheromones, smell and attraction

Pheromones are mysterious compounds that can increase attraction for mammals - but as much as the fragrance industry wants us to believe it, that's not yet been proven for humans. 

There is no conclusive research confirming that humans produce these smell molecules.

Oxford University evolutionary biologist Tristram Wyatt says there are thousands of molecules to be researched in order to reach a conclusion. 

9.35 The Night Agent's Luciane Buchanan

Kiwi star Luciane Buchanan aka Rose from The Night Agent is back in the second season of the Netflix show which attracted 98 million fans in S1's first three months.

The Night Agent, set in Washington DC sees Rose go on a crazy journey of action-packed political intrigue.

Luciane Buchanan joins Mihi to reflect on what it's like to work alongside major names like Gabriel Basso (Hillbilly Elegy) and Hong Chau (The Whale).

10.06 Bowled over - Rachin Ravindra

At 25 years old international batting allrounder Black Cap Rachin Ravindra is already at the top of his game. 

The Wellingtonian scored ICC's Emerging Player of the Year in 2023, off the back of his breakout performance at the 2023 One Day International World Cup in India. 

Rachin shares his journey to the top of the game and how his culture helps keep him grounded ahead of the Men's Tri-Series in Pakistan.

10.40 Growing a veggie garden from scratch: Kath Irvine

If you want to have fruitful, relatively fuss-free crops, there are a few steps to take to set you up for the rest of the year. 

Resident permaculture expert Kath Irvine has designed, taught and managed organic food gardens for more than 20 years. She's also the author of The Edible Backyard, a practical guide to growing organic fruit and vegetables all year round. 

She shares some tried and trusted tips and tricks for starting a veggie garden from scratch.

11.06 Bella Kalolo – Playing Favourites

Bella Kalolo is known for her powerful voice, screen and stage presence.  As a vocalist she's worked with everyone from Dave Dobbyn to John Mayer. 

She recently won TV Personality of the Year at the NZ TV Awards. On screen, you'll recognise her as nurse Selina To'a from Shortland street, Mother Nature decked out in green for the Meridian Energy ads, as well as featuring in Kiwi classic, Sione's Wedding, and the award-winning After the Party - to name just a few. 

Bella's in the Auckland studio to play some favourites.