Nine To Noon

British journalist and environmental campaigner Charles Clover has recently published a book called Rewilding the Sea. Here he argues that left to its own devices, the sea's biodiversity can recover from, and counter the devastating effects of climate change. Charles gives the example of whales. If they were allowed to rebuild to pre-whaling numbers they would remove the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere as we pump into it, just with their poo. Also the humble oyster, which can filter well over a hundred litres of water a day, and Charles argues is worth its weight in ecological gold, far exceeding their economics as fancy food.

Hundreds of injuries from high intensity interval training such as Crossfit and F45 are being reported to ACC each year, with a steep rise in the last four years. HIIT involves a circuit of short bursts of intense exercise, usually cardio and weights, alternating with periods of recovery. But data from ACC shows the number of accidents is increasing each year, with 652 new claims last year alone. Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of incidents, but fractures and dislocations, dental injuries, deafness, concussion and brain injuries, and lacerations, punctures and stings have also been reported. Kathryn speaks to David Woodbridge, the director and principal physiotherapist at Functional Physio, in Mt Eden who has been treating injuries as a result of HIIT and ACC's injury prevention leader James Whitaker.

Comedians Te Radar and Donna Brookbanks with some of the lighter stories of the week, including a Rotorua man's shopping trip for a linen jacket which ended up with him being locked in Hallensteins.

Sam reviews what has been a rare hysteria-free week for the current All Blacks squad, whether a former All Black should be allowed to play for the Wallabies, and how going against the grain can pay dividends.

Martene McCaffrey of Unity Books Auckland reviews The Seaplane on Final Approach by Rebecca Rukeyser, published by Granta

In December 1941, as the Japanese made their lightning attack on Pearl Harbour, Hong Kong also came under bombardment and fell two weeks later. Marie Broom was trapped in Hong Kong with her four children - not knowing what had happened to her husband Vincent, who'd been working in Singapore. As the family faced the occupation alone, Vincent escaped Singapore. He managed to make his way to India, where he began a slow and perilous journey east to try to get to Marie and the children. Their story has been captured in a new book called 'A Message for Nasty', written by Marie and Vincent's grandson, Roderick Fry. Roderick is a designer usually based in Paris and is back in New Zealand for the Auckland Writers' Festival.

The Solomon Islands government has secured a $US66 million loan from China for tech giant Huawei to expand the country's telecommunications network. It is the first major loan the country has received from Beijing since the signing of its security pact with China earlier this year. Also, Pacific countries are being urged to modernise tuna management strategy to ensure decisions are more science driven with less political interference. And jubilation in Samoa jubilant after news the iconic local beer will continue to be produced there.

A Catlins conservation group has finally purchased a section of the Papatowai estuary behind an iconic stand of rātā - a deal it's been working on for several years. The Papatowai Forest Heritage Trust bought the 15 adjacent sections from the Findlater family, creating what will be called the Findlater Reserve. The purchase is part of a wider effort to protect the Southern rata which hang over the beach at Papatowai. The land will be covenanted, joining other sections previously protected by the trust. Kathryn speaks to the spokesperson of the Papatowai Forest Heritage Trust Fergus Sutherland who is over the moon about the sale.

Auckland University of Technology has unreservedly apologised to a former academic for its bungled response to her sexual harassment complaint about a former staff member. Dr Marisa Paterson was director of Australian National University's Centre for Gambling Research in 2020 when she publicly accused problem gambling expert, Professor Max Abbott, of stalking and harassing her. Now an Australian MP, Dr Paterson said in a statement that in addition to the sexual harassment, there was significant harm for her as an individual to have to fight an institution, in public, for an adequate response. She says the apology is public recognition of that. Her complaint had earlier prompted an independent review by Kate Davenport QC, in which 273 people reported being bullied or had seen it happen in the AUT workplace. Kathryn speaks to Dr Marisa Paterson from Canberra, and Michael Timmins, the Director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings.

Film and TV correspondent Tamar Munch looks at The Rehearsal (SoHo, Neon), an unusual show that's been getting rave reviews. The Bear (Disney+), is about a young chef who comes from the world of fine dining to run his family's sandwich shop in Chicago and N00b is new local show on TikTok.