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Harlan Coben's latest novel lands after an eight year hiatus

13 May 2024

Harlan Coben is an accidental novelist whose success is no accident. It comes from hard work, deep empathy and unreserved respect for the joy of reading.  Audio

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Available Audio (8)

 

1:15 Is salt killing us?

The Stroke Foundation wants mandatory standards introduced to reduce the amount of salt in processed foods, which it says will save thousands of New Zealand lives lost or impacted by strokes each year.

The foundation says many people are consuming much more than the recommended 5-gram daily intake daily with most of the salt content hidden in the everyday foods we eat.

It is calling on the government to regulate the industry and to make it easier for people to eat less salt.

Jess Winchester, general manager of marketing and fundraising at Stroke Foundation of New Zealand, joins Jesse. 

Salt shakers 
Fine salt under various transparent glass salt shakers aligned in the foreground. (Photo by CHASSENET / BSIP / BSIP via AFP)

Photo: CHASSENET

1:25 A closer look at the relationship between people and trees

What would you say in a love letter to a tree?

A research project examining the connects the inhabitants of a city have with its trees is uprooting from Melbourne and heading the Christchurch.

Arbor-Amor: love letters to a city's trees began as a simple concept across the ditch.

Trees were given email addresses and residents asked to send their concerns about branch removal, protruding roots or watering needs.

What happened next is fascinating - letters of love, loss, comfort and difficulties were sent - with heartwarming stories of connection and creativity. 

Dr Catherine Phillips is a lecturer at University of Canterbury and research team member at PlantCities. She speaks to Jesse.

Photo: Wikicommons

1:35 Dunedin Wildlife Hospital in need of more funding

Dunedin Wildlife Hospital has treated more than 3500 patients since it was established in 2018 including hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins, kākāpō and northern royal albatross.

The hospital gets council funding but also relies on donations to operate.

Last week hospital manager Jordana Whyte spoke on behalf of the hospital trust at the Dunedin City Council annual plan hearings, asking for $75,000 in bridging funding.

Jordana talks to Jesse about the hospital, its history, and the notable critters they've treated over the years.

Hoiho chick hatched at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital

Photo: Lisa Argilla

1:45 Tech Tuesday with Dan Watson

Today owner and managing director of Vertech IT services Dan Watson talks to Jesse about some tech tips for travelling internationally.

2:10 Book Critic: Dominic Hoey

Today Dominic talks to Jesse about The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster

Brad Foster provides a rundown on what Australians can expect in tonight's Federal Budget, with a particular focus expected to be on the ongoing challenges of cost of living.

He also reports on Australia's most expensive house coming on the market, surfing in Western Sydney, women's rugby league, and plenty more.

Wingadal, Australia's most expensive property

Wingadal, Australia's most expensive property Photo: NSW Real Estate

2:30 Music feature: Jimmy Barnett on the road with the Rolling Stones

For today's Music Feature we're diving deep into one of the most seminal, influential, and straight-up cool albums in rock history.

Released in 1972, 'Exile on Main Street' was the 10th album released by the Rolling Stones following the success of 'Sticky Fingers' the previous year.

At the time a young Jimmy Barnett was finding his feet as a lighting director, dreaming of working with "the greatest rock and roll band in the world".

The album made a deep impression on him, and he would later go on to tour with the Stones.

Jimmy joins Jesse to talk about his time with Mick and the gang, as well as why 'Exile on Main Street' is such a firm favourite of his.

Exile on Main Street

Exile on Main Street Photo: wikipedia

3:10 Lucy Lawless on telling Margaret Moth's story on film

The email to actor Lucy Lawless came out of the blue. Would she like to do a documentary about  legendary CNN photojournalist, Kiwi Margaret Moth?

After years in warzones all over the world, even after a sniper's bullet in Sarajevo shattered her jaw,  Moth felt compelled to show the world the reality of war  until she died of cancer in 2010.

Her best friend and heir to her estate called to ask  if the former Princess Warrior would tell the story of a warrior of courage under fire. 

Lawless immediately said yes and makes her directorial debut with the documentary, Never Look Away.

Never Look Away

Never Look Away Photo: Joe Duran

3:30 Spoken Feature: BBC Witness

In the 1980s, a thirst for caffeine caused an unusual global collaboration.

Coffee-loving East Germans were left without after a crop failure in the world’s biggest exporter of the drink, Brazil.

So the East Germans hatched a scheme, linking up with fellow communist state Vietnam to create a mass of coffee plantations.

The man behind the plan, Siegfried Kaulfuß, tells Michael Rossi about the scale and success of the endeavour.

Siegfried Kaulfuß with Vietnamese coffee farmers

Siegfried Kaulfuß with Vietnamese coffee farmers Photo: Siegfried Kaulfuß

3:45 The pre-Panel