Nine To Noon

The way ice crystals can kill the enjoyment of ice cream demonstrates the crucial role of texture in our experience of food, says scientist Yvonne Kuiper. Although we know texture is at least equally important as taste, we don't yet know how our brains assess and respond to it. A better understanding could help with the treatment of obesity and eating disorders,  she tells Kathryn Ryan.

A new report finds dozens of people die each year from preventable drug overdoses, and New Zealand drug laws block the use of new harm reduction measures succeeding overseas. The Drug Foundation's 2022 State of the Nation Report finds opioid overdoses kill around 46 people each year, while synthetic cannabinoids have contributed to at least 51 deaths between 2016 and 2020. The report also finds drug related deaths for Maori are three times the rate for non-Maori. The Drug Foundation says that while changes to drug laws in 2019 have seen a 13 per cent reduction in convictions for low-level drug offences, the results have been far less than hoped. Kathryn speaks with Executive Director of the Drug Foundation, Sarah Helm.

In a month of protests, pandemic panic, grave unrest in the Ukraine and extreme weather events Mark Amery champions some art in Wellington that offers flowers, hugs, sunshine and togetherness. Featured is Salli Culy's paintings Hello to Everybody in a series of lightboxes in Courtenay Place (till May 25), Hanna Shim's exhibition at Enjoy Gallery (till March 30) Wishing You Well. Mark also does shout outs to Vincents Art Workshops in Wellington and the Paraparaumu-shot feature film by Linda Niccol, Poppy, currently streaming through TVNZ.

Nicole Haddow is an Australian journalist and author who says it is possible to grow your wealth while doing your bit for the planet and the population. Her first book, Smashed Avocado: How I Cracked the Property Market and You Can Too details her journey from moving in with her parents aged 30, $11,000 in debt, to saving enough to buy a property. Nicole's new book is called The Ethical Investor, and in it she writes about the steps she's taken to put her money where her ethics are.

Music reviewer Yadana Saw reflects on the Super Bowl halftime show which was celebration of Dad music and the Gen X culture, and the curious ukulele skills of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and some new tunes from 2022.

Harry Ricketts reviews All Tito's Children by Tim Grgec, published by Te Herenga Waka Press

Ravenscar House Museum holds an extraordinary, previously private art collection. The new building has been gifted to Christchurch by art collectors Susan Wakefield and her late husband Jim. The art remains in the ownership of the Ravenscar Trust.  Artists in the collection include Colin McCahon, Bill Sutton and Frances Hodgkins. The treasures were previously in the Wakefield's Christchurch home which suffered irreparable earthquake damage. They're now displayed in the purpose-designed and built Ravenscar House Museum in the city's Arts precinct. The story of the art and artefacts is told in in the book - Ravenscar House: A Biography, written by Christchurch journalist and writer Sally Blundell.

Australia correspondent Bernard Keane looks at Prime Minister Scott Morrison's attempt to turn on the charm with his family and a ukulele performance ahead of the federal election, even as two byelections in New South Wales suggest troubling times at the polls for the Liberals. And Qantas has been accused of price gouging by customers seeking to use their Covid credits.

The country has moved to phase two of its omicron response meaning shorter isolation times and more relaxed rules around contact tracing. There are an estimated 2658 people self iolating around the country at the moment, with 6305 active cases and 763 reported yesterday. Yesterday, there were 40 people in hospital with the virus but none were in intensive care or high dependency units. So is the country ready for phase two of omicron? Dr Christine McIntosh is the clinical lead for outbreak and home isolation programme in Auckland, for the Northern Region Health Coordination Centre.

The bill banning conversion therapy passed its third and final reading last night, with the support of almost all MPs. The Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill makes it illegal to change or suppress the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of a person who is under 18, or if the practice causes serious harm, regardless of age. The bill also amends the Human Rights Act to expand the Human Rights Commission's existing mediation function. The commission will provide mediation and a civil redress scheme for those who have experienced conversion practices. Kathryn speaks with Holly Hedley, a senior associate at Buddle Findlay, who specialises in health and human rights law, and Andre Afamasaga, a manager at the Human Rights Commission who will be responsible for establishing the conversion practices response services team. He is also a former pastor, and a survivor of conversion therapy himself.