Nine To Noon

Quentin Johnson reviews Kiki Man Ray: Art, Love and Rivalry in 1920s Paris by Mark Braude, published by Two Roads.

Packing up their lives and becoming farmers was meant to be fresh start for New Zealand born writer and producer Nicola Harvey and husband Pat. But their move from young, burnt-out Sydney professionals to cattle farmers on a 140ha plot of land near Taupo was anything but straightforward. As well as the often harsh realities of agricultural life they had to content with a community who are weary of city dwellers telling them how to run their farms, or doing things differently. Over three years the farm has transformed from a run-of-the mill calf rearing operation, to a more modern and sustainable business - yet that still has traditional farming at it's core. As well as running a farm Nicola talked to farmers and food producers all over New Zealand the world who were all trying to find a more sustainable and future-proof way of farming.

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche looks at the conviction for Chris Dawson in the so-called Teacher's Pet murder; why a news outlet dared Lachlan Murdoch to sue it (and is now being sued)...and how one state's attempt to fix its nursing shortage is making other states nervous.

A new study has found stroke survivors want more information about sex and intimacy as part of their recovery - but rarely receive it. Over 9,500 strokes are experienced by New Zealanders each year. Stroke is the country's second single biggest killer, and the leading cause of serious adult disability. Auckland City Hospital occupational therapist Sian McGee conducted the first-of-its-kind research, asking 41 patients between the ages of 36 and 90 about their preference for receiving information about sex and intimacy. She says most of the patients surveyed expected and wanted their doctors to speak to them about the subject of sex, but few did. Clinicians, in turn, said they didn't feel confident in giving the right information. Sian McGee is presenting her study at the Stroke Society of Australasia conference which begins in Christchurch today.

Midwives are taking legal action against the government over fair pay and conditions - again. The College of Midwives has this morning filed a class action in the High Court against the Ministry of Health. More than 1300 community midwives have signed up to be part of the claim alleging a breach of contract. In 2015 the College commenced judicial review proceedings alleging unjustified discrimination on the basis of sex under the Bill of Rights Act. That legal action was eventually settled by mediation, resulting in a Settlement Agreement, but midwives say the Health Ministry has failed to action that agreement, or a subsequent one. College Chief Executive, Alison Eddy, says today's legal action is a last resort.

Andrew looks at the Google deal for NZ media collective, Sky back in the black, and the fascinating Crikey v Lachlan Murdoch stoush.

He's described as the "grand old man of New Zealand rugby", now the life and legendary status of Billy Wallace has been detailed in a new book by author Denis Dwyer. A member of the The Original All Blacks selected for the 1905 tour to the British Isles, France and North America, he was the first New Zealander to score 500 points in first-class rugby and held the New Zealand record for the most points in an All Blacks match for 46 years. He went on to hold a distinguished coaching career at club, provincial and national level and also served as a national administrator. This is the eighth book for Denis - but not his first foray into writing about New Zealand's rugby history. He joins Kathryn to explain his passion for the sport's legendary players.

Pattrick talks to Kathryn about why the announcement by Qantas that it is going to fly direct to New York from Auckland represents a serious competitive threat to Air NZ. Also why coal-fired electricity will be with us for a bit longer yet, with Genesis putting up for tender a so-called "swaption" contract that allows renewable generators to buy insurance cover to keep Huntly available. And one to watch - this week's Ports of Auckland result Pattrick is is the editor and co-founder of BusinessDesk and has reported on the New Zealand economy and business since 1983.

Catriona Ferguson reviews The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, published by Tinder Press

Not much is certain about the life of Charlotte Badger, one of the first Pakeha women to live in New Zealand, but many stories have been woven about her over two centuries. A young Charlotte was arrested for the crime of 'housebreaking' in her native Worcester, sentenced to death and sent to the penal colony of New South Wales in the early 19th century. Upon her release, she's aboard a ship when its crew mutinies - and ends up living among Maori in the Bay of Islands. Through some excellent historical detective work Jennifer Ashton has unpicked what we know for sure about Charlotte from the legends that have sprung up about her. Her book is Thief, Convict, Pirate, Wife: The Many Histories of Charlotte Badger and Jennifer joins Kathryn to explain what she managed to learn about Charlotte.