Summer Times for Tuesday 9 January 2024

09:10 The story of pounamu, and the West Coast

There's a new reason to get along to the wonderful West Coast of Te Waipounamu. And it's to do with the stone that gives the South Island its Te Reo name - the pounamu. Poutini Ngāi Tahu and Wētā Workshop have collaborated to create the first part of the pounamu pathway. Māwhera Pā opened in Greymouth about a month ago and visitors can see architectural designs featuring treasured tribal patterns, master carving and other traditional art forms. It is the first part of four centres set to open on the West Coast.  There will be an exhibition in Kawatiri/Westport at the end of January and then the Haast Department of Conservation is to be revamped later in the year. The final part of the pounamu pathway lands in Hokitika when it is finished being built in late 2025.

09:25 Bowls National Championships heat up in Christchurch

The country's national lawn bowls championships are finishing up today at the Burnside Bowling Club in Christchurch. The men's pairs, women's singles and open disability singles are all up for grabs today and Bowls New Zealand's Alex Reed joins the programme to preview the day ahead.

09:45 Human-driven extinctions: 'The world is emptier than we realise'

We all know the story of human-driven extinction in Aotearoa - the moa, perhaps the most famous, and the huia, with the last confirmed sighting in 1907, the most recent. But what of bird species around the world that have disappeared without our knowledge, where no fossils, or museum artefacts remain? These are known by scientists as 'dark extinctions' and a recent study, based on New Zealand's fossil record, estimates hundreds of birds have disappeared without a trace. Lead study author, Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology says, 'The world is emptier than we realise'.

10:10 Road trip with musician chef Flip Grater

Clare Grater, better-known perhaps, by her stage name, Flip Grater is a singer-songwriter, author, activist and chef based in Ōtautahi-Christchurch. For several years she hosted shows on Christchurch alternative radio station RDU98.5fm and is the founder of Maiden Records, an independent NZ record label, and more recently Grater Goods, alongside French Moroccan hospitality superstar Youssef Iskrane. Grater Goods specialises in gourmet plant-based deli food. She joins Anna for a road trip around Aotearoa.

10.40 Tony Simpson: A Gent in Overseasia

In 1973, Tony Simpson - author, historian, and public servant - travelled overseas on what turned out to be an OE like no other. What began as a conference in Sweden, turned into a stint in the then-Soviet Union, and a lunch with members of the KGB. He says at 28, he caught the travel bug, for which 'there is no known cure'. Now, over 50 years of travelling have been distilled into a 200 page book, 'A Gent in Overseasia' - part-memoir, part-travel book, Tony details some of his more wild adventures alongside lesser known history facts and tips and tricks on how to get the most out of an OE.

11:10 Dave Kulesza: Exploring the lesser-known North Korea

North Korea typically conjures ideas about the dark side of communism, a dictatorship and repressed citizens living in crumbling concrete high-rises. But, those who know better, understand the architecture, at least, is the exact antithesis of that. Dave Kulesza, an architect photographer based in Melbourne, spent a whirlwind three days capturing the beautiful pastel palettes and instantly iconic spaces in the capital of Pyongyang. His series, 'North Korea in Colour', is one you have to see to believe. 

11:45 Keeping kids busy in the holidays

For parents in need of a fresh boost of ideas to keep the kids entertained and out from under your feet, Summer Times has called on Maria Foy for help. Maria is the founder of the popular parenting website 'Happy Mum, Happy Child', where she shares tips and tricks she's learnt from parenting her own kids, and lots of ideas to keep little minds active. If you have any questions for Maria or even ideas of your own that have worked well with your kids and you're be willing to share - text us at 2101.

12:00 Urban Jumble Quiz

Every day we're giving you three words. Within each word are letters which spell out a New Zealand town or city. Each letter can only be used once. While some words may have more than one answer, the correct answer must be the town or city we're thinking of. So have a pen and paper and a map at hand and have a go. 

 

Playlist

Track: What's the Time Mr Wolf
Artist: South Side of Bombay
Time played: 9:05am

Track:  Not Given Lightly
Artist: Chris Knox
Time played: 9:35am

Track: Soda dreams
Artist: Masaya
Time played: 9:50am

Track: In Colour
Artist: Shapeshifter
Time played: 9:55am

Track: Roady
Artist: Fat Freddy's Drop
Time played: 10:05am

Track: Just Wanna Forget You
Artist: Maro 
Time played: 10:20am 

Track: Lilac Wine
Artist: Helen Merrill version
Time played: 10:35am

Track: The Littlest Birds
Artist: The Be Good Tanya's
Time played: 10:45am

Track: Don't Forget Your Roots
Artist: Six60
Time played: 11:05am 

Track: Yellow Mellow
Artist: Here's Ocean Alley 
Time played: 11:40am

Track: Drop the Pilot 
Artist: Joan Armatrading
Time played: 11:50am