Nine To Noon

Professor Allan Blackman joins Kathryn to look at how researchers have harnessed the brainwaves of a paralyzed man who was unable to speak and turned what he intended to say into sentences on a computer screen. He'll also look at the history of doping at the Olympics and touch on why gold, silver and bronze are chemically interesting. Allan Blackman is a Professor of Chemistry, School of Science, Auckland University of Technology

Over 30 years ago Jenny Scott was farming in Southland when an independent livestock agent friend shared how much time it was taking to keep up with the book-keeping side of the businesses. GST had just been introduced, and Jenny had bought her first computer for the family farm - to keep up with their GST obligations. She set out to help that friend by writing a software package specifically for livestock brokers to create all the invoices and sale notices necessary for each sale, with one simple data entry. Another software package followed aimed at Shearing Contractors, and the boutique tech firm Shebiz was born. Jenny retired a few years ago but her three daughters run the business from Cromwell in Central Otago, servicing the rural sector around New Zealand and with many clients in Australia. Kathryn talks with Jenny and one of her daughters, programmer Lisa Wardill.

Shaun Barnett reviews The Spirit of the Mountains: Alpine Adventures and Reflections by Ron Hay, published by Mary Egan Publishing.

Erin French is the owner of the Lost Kitchen in her small hometown of Freedom, Maine, where the population hovers just above 700. The restaurant is located in a former 19th century grist mill has made Time magazine's list as one of the World's Greatest Places. Erin French absorbed her culinary skills working at her family's diner, she's never had any formal chef training as was intending to be a doctor. As explained in her memoir, Finding Freedom in the Lost Kitchen, there were many twists and turns, sadness and disappointments which led her home, including an unplanned pregnancy which derailed her medical studies in Boston, an acrimonious divorce and some time in rehab. She says returning to a simple life in Freedom, Maine has been healing, It has led to personal and professional fulfillment and the creation of a memorable dining experience for people who manage to secure a reservation at the Lost Kitchen.

Australia correspondent Bernard Keane joins Kathryn to look at how Sydney's lockdown will have a noticeable economic effect, with the government under pressure to increase financial support. The lockdown protests at the weekend acted as an opportunity for every group - from conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers and the far right - to come out to complain. Meanwhile the arts sector fears more damage will be inflicted on them while sports continues to be indulged and supported by taxpayers.

With the government and the farming sector looking to reduce emissions, the race is on to find practical on the ground solutions to old problems. Methane production is a huge contributor to greenhouse gasses in New Zealand, making up 44.5 percent of our emissions in 2018 at the last measurement by Stats NZ. Over three quarters of the methane emitted came from livestock and 28.5 percent of that comes from sheep digestion. Fourth generation sheep farmer Leon Black is on a mission to reduce that number drastically. At the family station of Blackdale outside Aparima Riverton at the bottom of Te Wai Pounamu, Leon and his family have been selectively breeding Textra Sheep to reduce methane emissions. Kathryn is also joined by AgResearch scientist Suzanne Rowe who works around the country on breeding down methane emissions in New Zealand flocks.

A prominent New Zealand scientist is calling for security of vaccine supply through self sufficiency, saying it's not only viable, but vital. Director of the Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa NZ Professor Graham Le Gros, of the Malaghan Institute tells Kathryn Ryan he's currently in conversations with scientists in the UK, who've approached New Zealand to join a consortium to produce a next level mRNA vaccine. Messenger RNA is a molecule that plays a central role in the function of genes, and is now being used to develop a new class of vaccine. Tomorrow, Australia is holding a round table discussion with world-leading experts to map out Australia's national priorities for RNA science and research.

Andrew talks to Kathryn about the ground-breaking initiative to train and develop 25 new journalism cadets - including those from MÄori, Pacific and other communities which are traditionally under-represented in media. Also, NZME doing well in stockmarket terms, now listed as BUY, and potential ownership change at SKY TV.

Auckland choregrapher and dancer Merenia Gray's latest work pays tribute to her extraordinary late mother, Tiahuia. Tiahuia Gray was adopted at birth into the Kingitanga, as a whāngai to Princess Te Puea Hērangi, spending her formative years in Waikato/Tainui on Tūrangawaewae Marae.

Pattrick and Kathryn talk about the Meridian/Contact Energy proposal for a global scale 'green' hydrogen plant in Southland. Also the saliva testing saga, Pattrick says a small NZ start-up has quietly humbled the Ministry of Health.