Nine To Noon

Melanie O'Loughlin of Lamplight Books reviews This Life by Quntos KunQuest, published by Agate.

Tim Marshall is a leading authority on foreign affairs with more than 30 years of reporting experience. His latest book The Power of Geography focuses on ten maps that reveal the future of the world.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has rejected two of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy's nominations to serve on the select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. And Susan looks at how rising crime rates are affecting national politics and the ability to advance long-stalled police reform legislation in wake of death of George Floyd.

Currently, 70,000 New Zealanders have dementia. That's set to rise to 170,000 by 2050. Auckland psychiatrist Dr Etuini Ma'u is the co-author of a University of Auckland study that shows the potential for reducing rates of dementia by targetting common risk factors in middle-aged New Zealanders.

Parents devastated by the impending closure of a school that catered for students with diverse needs say there's nowhere left for their children to go because they simply don't fit in the mainstream.

Bill McKay talks to Kathryn about building to rent, renting to buy - will this be the new reality of renting and possibilities for the future? Bill McKay is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

It's the element that can make or break a dish. Small, but packs a mighty punch. It is, of course, seasoning. Kiwi chef Marcus Peters has returned home to start his own company Smoke and Spice and is creating seasonings that alight the senses. Marcus talks to Kathryn about being a chef for 20 years, moving in kitchens from Australia to London, and sourcing local ingredients to make the perfect seasoning.

Kathryn, Stephen and Ben discuss the implications of the suspension of the Trans Tasman travel bubble and how New Zealanders will get home. Also the progression of the Covid vaccine rollout and discontent over the extent that police officers should be armed. Stephen Mills is the executive director of UMR Research , which is the polling firm used by Labour. He is former political adviser to two Labour governments. Ben Thomas is a PR consultant and a former National Government press secretary.

Laura Caygill reviews The Stranding by Kate Sawyer, published by Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand.

Emma Lewisham is the Auckland based founder of the rapidly growing skin care brand which bears her name. Launched in 2019 just before the Covid pandemic, Emma Lewisham's skin care range is now sold throughout New Zealand and Australia, with plans to launch much further in September. An article in Forbes magazine and mentions on social media by celebrities including Kourtney Kardashian and Margot Robbie have boosted the brand's profile. Now former Air New Zealand CEO and chair of Icebreaker and Michael Hill Rob Fyfe and his wife Sarah have invested in the business, with Rob coming on as an advisor. Emma Lewisham spent three years working nights and weekends developing her products - which she was determined would be all natural, but effective, backed by science, and carbon neutral.