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David Baldacci: Thrilling with thrillers

21 Dec 2024

One of the highest-selling authors in the world, David Baldacci's career spans international bestsellers and film adaptions. He explains how the thriller genre keeps on giving. Audio

Saturday 21 December 2024

7:11 Aftermath of Vanuatu earthquake

The president, Nikenike Vurobaravu says the death toll stands at around 16 now after the magnitude 7.3 earthquake, but it is expected to rise.

Meanwhile fake news and rumours have spread fear among some community members.

Mihi speaks to World Vision Vanuatu director Clement Chipokolo who's in the capital Port Vila.

He said the international assistance is making a real difference, but the situation is still grave.

Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after an earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 18, 2024. - Rescue teams dug for survivors trapped in crumpled buildings in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on December 18 after a powerful earthquake killed at least 14 people, some of them buried in rubble and landslides. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

Photo: AFP / Stringer

 

7:18 Conflict continues in the Middle East

Israel has continued its war on Gaza and in September it launched unprecedented strikes on Lebanon, killing Hezbollah leader and Hamas ally Hassan Nasrallah. 

And in the past few weeks we've seen the overthrow of president Bashar al Assad in Syria which ended more than 50 years of the Assad family's grip on power.

Al Jazeera Senior International Correspondent Resul Serdar Atash is in the Syrian capital Damascus and speaks to Susie.

Syrian rebel fighters celebrate at the Clock Tower in the heart of the central city of Homs early on December 8, 2024, after rebel forces entered Syria's third city overnight. - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied anti-goovernment factions have pressed a lightning offensive since November 27, sweeping swathes of the country from government control, including major cities Aleppo, Hama and Homs. (Photo by Aaref WATAD / AFP)

Syrian rebel fighters celebrate at the Clock Tower in the heart of the central city of Homs early on 8 December 2024, after rebel forces entered Syria's third city overnight. Photo: AFP / AAREF WATAD

 

7:26 Freedom camping evictions

This week in Whanganui about 15 people who'd been camped out permanently in a freedom camping spot were evicted by the District Council.

Until very recently dozens of homeless people had called the spot 'home' but in the past few months almost 50 people staying there have been found permanent places to live.

The freedom camping site is right on the river, close to a popular walkway and also near a boat club.

But others are questioning whether it's really fair given it is the week before Christmas.

Mayor of Whanganui Andrew Tripe talks to Susie.

Freedom campers at the South Taranaki break at Paroa Road.

File image, Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin

 

7:32 The year in politics

This week Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described it as "mammoth" and "a good start" but with "a lot more to do".

We've seen bootcamps, a gang patch ban and a raft of public sector job cuts

RNZ's Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch breaks it all down for Susie.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks after a visit to an Auckland school.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

 

7:50 Waitangi snub

The Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also announced he won't be attending the events at Waitangi on Waitangi Day.

Pita Tipene, the chair of the Waitangi National Trust speaks to Mihi.

Pita Tipene

Pita Tipene Photo: RNZ / Liu Chen

 

8:10 David Baldacci: Thrilling with thrillers

Photo: supplied/Pan Macmillan

One of the highest-selling authors in the world, David Baldacci's career spans international bestsellers, film adaptions featuring the likes of Clint Eastwood, and work published in more than 45 languages, 80 countries, selling over 150 million books worldwide. 

A former trial lawyer, renowned for his ability to weave intricate plots, David's passion for books and literacy has seen him named as a Literary Champion by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. 

David is soon to visit New Zealand for a pop-up Auckland Writers Festival event in January. His latest is To Die For, a return for Travis Devine, the 6:20 Man, coming face to face with his nemesis. 

He explains how the thriller genre keeps on giving.

8:40 David Robson: avoid being a toxic friend

Award-winning science writer David Robson explores the extremes of the human brain, body and behaviour.

While writing his recent book The Laws of Connection, which examines science-based strategies to transform your social life, he discovered something surprising about friendships: that unpredictable fairweather friends are more hurtful than people we expect to be unpleasant. 

David's compiled a check-list on how to avoid being an "accidental frenemy".  He shares his findings with Mihi.

Photo: Supplied/David Robson

9:06 Becky Manawatu: Kataraina

Kataraina is the highly anticipated sequel to West Coast writer Becky Manawatu's best seller Auē.

In Auē eight-year-old Ārama was taken by his brother, Taukiri, to live with Kat and Stu at the farm in Kaikōura, setting in train a tragedy. Ārama's aunty Kat was at the centre of events. In Kataraina, Kat and her whānau take over the telling. 

Auē won Aotearoa's leading fiction prizes and became one of the country's all-time fiction bestsellers. It's gone on to sell well in both the UK and US and has been translated in six languages.

Becky Manawatu speaks with Susie about her latest work.

Photo: Makaro Press/Stewart Nimmo

 

9:30 National Poisons Centre turns 60

The National Poisons Centre, operated by the University of Otago, is turning 60 today. 

The telehealth line is the only service of its kind in Aotearoa.  It provides free risk assessments to the general public, via its 24/7 phone line who call up with suspected or actual poisonings.

Over the festive season, the lines are busy with plenty of inquiries from children consuming glow sticks to jellyfish and dangerous garden plants.

Service Delivery Manager Lucy Shieffelbien talks about her work.

Child takes pack of pills. Dangerous situation.

Photo: 123RF

 

9:40 Quiz master Laura McGoldrick

Quiz master Laura McGoldrick quizzes Saturday Morning's sports knowledge ahead of a Game of 2 Halves: Quiz of the Year show happening this weekend. It's a one-hour special with teams including Dame Susan Devoy looking back at sporting events in 2024.   

Laura reflects on her sporting highlights this year, one being Sky's official presenter of the Paris Olympics, and looks ahead to her next role commentating the men's ASB Tennis Classic tournament in January, as well as preparing for season 2 of Game of 2 Halves, returning in Feb, the first episode featuring her husband, Martin Guptill. 

Photo: Sky TV

10:06 What's on the box - Diana Wichtel

Photo: Penguin

Award-winning reviewer and bestselling writer Diana Wichtel has spent much of her adult life watching TV for a living.

Cutting her teeth on the Golden Age of television, Diana watched television and wrote about it for the Listener where she became the country's foremost television critic..

Now Diana has written a memoir Unreel, of a life spent watching and writing.

The author of Driving to Treblinka, which won the Royal Society Te Apārangi Award for General Non-fiction at the 2018 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, Diana joins Susie with some favourite TV shows and what she recommends for summer viewing.

10.35 Merenia Gray: Tiahuia - a Karanga for My Mother

Merenia Gray is an award-winning choreographer, a dancer, teacher, author and arts sector leader. The daughter of respected and revered Kaikaranga, Tiahuia Te Puea Hērangi who witnessed and participated in some of the most significant events that shaped Aotearoa.  

Merenia's new memoir, Tiahuia - a Karangi for My Mother is an expression of a daughter's love for her mother. The clever format of the book is delivered as a karanga, the first call in te ao Māori.

Photo:

11.05 The dos and don'ts of summer gardening

It's that time of year when there can be a little more time to get out and tend the garden, but the weather sometimes isn't on our side.

Edible back-yard gardener Hannah Zwartz shares everything we need to know about caring for our gardens during the hot summer months.

No caption

Photo: 123rf

11:25 Kate de Goldi: Summer reading

With the summer holidays almost here, for many finding a spot in the shade and a good book is the best way to spend an afternoon. But what to read?

Kate De Goldi is one of New Zealand's most celebrated authors, an Arts Foundation Laureate, and a voracious reader. She shares her recommendations for the summer.

Kate De Goldi

Kate De Goldi Photo: Bruce Foster

11.47 Christmas classics with Antonia Bennett 

Love it or loathe it, you just can’t escape Christmas music.

Jazz songstress Antonia Bennett has just released new holiday classics Christmas album "Happy Holidays, With Love".

While she's an acclaimed singer in her own right, Antonia's also passionate about keeping the family tradition alive, as the daughter of renowned jazz singer, the late Tony Bennett.

Antonia shares her fond memories of making music with her father, and growing up in famously musical household. 

Father and daughter, Tony Bennett and Antonia Bennett.

Father and daughter, Tony Bennett and Antonia Bennett. Photo: Peter Mellekas

Books featured on today's programme:

To Die For
by David Baldacci
Published by: Pan Macmillan

The Laws of Connection
by David Robson
Published by: A&U Canongate

Kataraina
by Becky Manawatu
Published by: The Cuba Press

Unreel
by Diana Wichtel
Published by: Penguin NZ

Tiahuia - a Karangi for My Mother
by Merenia Gray
Published by: Huia Publishers

Playlist


Song: For Once in My Life
Artist: Tony Bennett
Time played: 9:57

Song: We're Going To Be Friends
Artist: White Stripes
Time played: 10.05

Song: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
Time played: 10'55

Song: Winter Wonderland
Artist: Antonia Bennett
Time played:11:45

Song: Last Christmas
Artist: Wham
Time played: 11:57