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A 24-hour recording of RNZ National. The following rundown is sourced from the broadcaster’s website. Note some overseas/copyright restricted items may not appear in the supplied rundown:
18 February 2016
===12:04 AM. | All Night Programme===
=DESCRIPTION=
Including: 12:05 Music after Midnight; 12:30 Discovery (BBC); 1:05 The Thursday Feature (RNZ); 2:05 The Cultural Frontline; 3:05 Enemy Territory, by Elspeth Sandys (9 of 15, RNZ); 3:30 NZ Books (RNZ) 5:10 Witness (BBC); 5:45 The Day in Parliament
===6:00 AM. | Morning Report===
=DESCRIPTION=
RNZ's three-hour breakfast news show with news and interviews, bulletins on the hour and half-hour, including: 6:16 and 6:50 Business News 6:18 Pacific News 6:26 Rural News 6:48 and 7:45 NZ Newspapers
=AUDIO=
06:00
Top Stories for Thursday 18 February 2016
BODY:
Flooding and trees down in Nelson; Military chopper scrambled to save two tourists; Weather update from around the country; No prosecution for man who sparked measles scare; Education Council hearing resumes into conduct of two teachers; Homeless crisis worsens in Whangarei; NZ First wants answers on cost of Mt Eden debacle; Nelson hit by heavy rain overnight; Doubt other banks will follow record low interest rate; Highly radioactive material from Iraq still missing, fears it could fall into IS hands.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 30'24"
06:07
Sports News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
An update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'35"
06:11
Flooding, trees down after heavy rain in Nelson- Tasman region
BODY:
Heavy rain has been falling across the Nelson Tasman region resulting in widespread flooding and the downing of trees.
Topics: weather
Regions: Nelson Region
Tags:
Duration: 2'12"
06:13
Emergency housing shortage tough on children
BODY:
A Whangarei emergency housing trust says it is turning away homeless families at the rate of seven a week as it copes with an influx of people fleeing high rents in Auckland.
Topics: housing
Regions: Northland, Auckland Region
Tags:
Duration: 2'49"
06:15
China responds to reports of renewed tensions in Sth China Sea
BODY:
China has responded to reports that it has deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea by saying that it has a right to build self-defence.
Topics: security, politics
Regions:
Tags: China, South China Sea
Duration: 4'24"
06:20
Early business news for 18 February 2016
BODY:
Fletcher Building, has delivered on expectations, with a strong first half net profit, but will be challenged to meet its full-year guidance.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'31"
06:27
Morning Rural News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
News from the rural and farming sector.
Topics: rural, farming
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 4'02"
06:37
Authorities unlikely to prosecute despite breach of quarantine
BODY:
Auckland health officials won't be prosecuting the person behind a Sky City measles alert who defied quarantine instructions.
Topics: health
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags:
Duration: 3'41"
06:43
Mt Eden now staffed by both Serco and Corrections
BODY:
NZ First is demanding answers on the cost of dealing with British company Serco's botched management of Mt Eden Remand prison.
Topics: security
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'07"
06:51
Fletcher Building will have work cut out - analysts
BODY:
New Zealand's largest construction company, Fletcher Building, will have its work cut out for it as it scales up to juggle some of the country's largest building projects.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'38"
06:54
Shares in A2 Milk hit a high
BODY:
Shares in specialist dairy company A2 Milk hit a life time high yesterday - at one stage they were up more than 26 percent - as investors renewed their love affair with last year's market outperformer.
Topics: economy, business
Regions:
Tags: A2 Milk
Duration: 1'29"
06:56
Trade Me expects moderately better results in second half
BODY:
The online trading website, Trade Me, expects to build momentum in its second half - especially in the core property, motoring and classified advertising businesses.
Topics: economy, business
Regions:
Tags: Trade Me
Duration: 1'50"
06:58
Earnings news
BODY:
In some other earnings news.
Topics: economy, business
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 40"
06:59
Morning markets for 18 February 2016
BODY:
Turning to the markets.
Topics: economy, business
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 42"
07:07
Sports News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
An update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'24"
07:11
Flooding and trees down in Nelson
BODY:
Intense rain across the Nelson region has resulted in widespread surface flooding and trees down.
Topics: weather
Regions: Nelson Region
Tags:
Duration: 2'50"
07:14
Military chopper scrambled to save two tourists
BODY:
An air force helicopter had to be scrambled to save two stranded tourists near Farewell Spit last night after atrocious weather grounded local rescue choppers.
Topics:
Regions: Nelson Region
Tags:
Duration: 2'00"
07:16
Weather update from around the county
BODY:
There's been rough weather overnight around the country?
Topics: weather
Regions:
Tags: New Zealand
Duration: 1'43"
07:18
No prosecution for man who sparked measles scare
BODY:
Auckland health officials won't be prosecuting the man behind a Sky City measles alert who defied quarantine instructions.
Topics: health
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags:
Duration: 3'53"
07:22
Education Council hearing resumes into conduct of two teachers
BODY:
An Education Council hearing resumes this morning into the case of two teachers accused of serious misconduct with a 13 year old pupil who later died.
Topics: education
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'50"
07:25
Homeless crisis worsens in Whangarei
BODY:
A Whangarei emergency housing trust is turning away homeless families at the rate of seven a week as it copes with an influx of people fleeing high rents in Auckland.
Topics: housing
Regions: Northland
Tags:
Duration: 3'27"
07:28
NZ First wants answers on cost of Mt Eden debacle
BODY:
New Zealand First wants the government to explain how much Serco's botched management of Mt Eden Remand Prison will cost the taxpayer.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: Mt Eden Remand Prison
Duration: 3'20"
07:37
Nelson hit by heavy rain overnight
BODY:
Heavy rain has resulted in widespread surface flooding and bought trees down in the region overnight.
Topics: weather
Regions: Nelson Region
Tags:
Duration: 2'15"
07:40
Doubt other banks will follow record low interest rate
BODY:
Most of the major banks are keeping quiet on whether they'll match what's being touted as the lowest home loan rate in five decades.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: interest rates
Duration: 2'48"
07:43
Highly radioactive material from Iraq still missing
BODY:
Reuters is reporting highly dangerous radioactive material stolen in Iraq in November could fall into the hands of Islamic State.
Topics: security
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'36"
07:46
Bain's support downplays media reports on compensation claims
BODY:
David Bain's main supporter is playing down media reports that he is likely to have his compensation claim turned down.
Topics: law
Regions:
Tags: David Bain
Duration: 3'55"
07:52
Port plans not realistic - yet
BODY:
Feathers have been ruffled in Auckland with the release of a list of possible locations for a brand new port for the city.
Topics: politics
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: new Auckland port
Duration: 4'15"
07:57
New Zealand cancer researcher hail US breakthrough
BODY:
A potentially revolutionary blood cancer therapy which has produced extraordinary results in terminally ill patients has made headlines around the world.
Topics: health
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'53"
08:07
Sports News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
An update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'55"
08:11
Nelson cleaning up after flooding overnight
BODY:
Residents in the Nelson region are being urged to take care on their way to work and school this morning.
Topics: weather
Regions: Nelson Region
Tags:
Duration: 2'15"
08:14
Winston Peters says National at war with itself over flag
BODY:
An attempt by Conservation Minister Maggie Barry to drum up support for the Prime Minister's flag change campaign has been called nothing out of the ordinary by John Key, but too little too late by the Labour leader Andrew Little.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: NZ flag
Duration: 3'00"
08:16
No poi for boy upsets schools
BODY:
Some all boys high schools are feeling ripped off by new rules which stop them from doing the poi in the national kapa haka competition.
Topics: te ao Maori
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 4'01"
08:24
Apple planning to appeal 'chilling' court order to help FBI
BODY:
US technology giant Apple has no desire to help the FBI break into one of its phones.
Topics: technology
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 4'46"
08:27
Thousands of dead fish wash up in Fiji and Vanuatu
BODY:
Thousands of dead fish have been washed up on the shores of Fiji and Vanuatu.
Topics: Pacific
Regions:
Tags: Fiji, Vanuatu
Duration: 3'17"
08:30
Markets Update for 18 February 2016
BODY:
A brief update of movements in the financial sector.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'15"
08:38
HSBC takes on big banks with small rate
BODY:
HSBC Bank is offering home buyers, what it's touting as the lowest mortgage rate, seen in New Zealand in 50 years.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: HSBC bank, interest rates
Duration: 3'15"
08:44
Outstanding year for sport makes for tough choices for Halberg
BODY:
2015 was an outstanding year for New Zealand sport - the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup and Lydia Ko is the number one women's golfer.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags: Halberg Awards
Duration: 2'52"
08:46
Turnbull unlikely to accept Key's refugee offer
BODY:
The Prime Minister John Key will meet Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney tomorrow and New Zealand's long standing offer to accept Australian asylum seekers under this country's refugee intake will be on the discussion agenda.
Topics: politics, refugees and migrants
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 4'50"
08:50
Making strangulation a separate crime - but NZ's not ready
BODY:
New Zealand is approaching decision time on anti-strangling laws and the world's leading expert predicts such a law could spark hundreds of prosecutions here.
Topics: law
Regions:
Tags: anti-strangling laws
Duration: 4'17"
08:56
Think you've seen fewer teenage mothers pushing prams?
BODY:
Latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show a significant drop in births by girls aged 15 to 19 years old.
Topics: health, education
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'16"
=SHOW NOTES=
===9:06 AM. | Nine To Noon===
=DESCRIPTION=
Current affairs and topics of interest, including: 10:45 The Reading: Stuff I Forgot to Tell My Daughter, written and told by Michele A'Court When her daughter moved out Michele A'Court realised she was so busy being a mother, there were some topics they hadn't got round to talking about (4 of 5, RNZ)
=AUDIO=
09:08
Prison muster to increase by 940 in next decade
BODY:
Prison muster to increase by 940 in next decade, with 10 percent deportees from Australia.
Topics: security
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 16'23"
09:22
Richie McCaw - New Zealander of the Year
BODY:
We talk to Richie McCaw about leadership, politics and his future plans.
EXTENDED BODY:
Richie McCaw is keen to keep using the leadership skills he learned as All Black captain, but is still ruling out a political future.
The former All Blacks captain - who led the team to victory at the Rugby World Cup twice - was named the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year last night for his contribution to rugby and charity.
McCaw played 148 tests for the All Blacks during his 14-year international career. He was named the youngest member of the exclusive Order of New Zealand in the New Year's Honours list and now plans to work as a commercial helicopter pilot in Christchurch.
Speaking to Nine to Noon this morning, McCaw said he believed his skills as captain could be transferred to other areas.
"One of the reasons I kept playing for the amount of time I did is the leadership side of how to be reliant and how to inspire people to believe in something and achieve something. Some of the skills I learned over the years transfer into all sorts of different things, whether it's business or other parts of life. I'm really passionate about that. And down the track there might be opportunities to pass on some experiences, or even, from my point of view, learn more about different areas and roles."
But he said that as this stage, public service was unlikely to make the cut.
"I have interest like a lot of other people about the way things are going, but I think it's probably not something for me. But certainly, in terms of doing your bit to make this country a better place by helping people, whether it's through charity work or whatever it is, those are certainly the things I'm keen to do."
McCaw did admit to having an opinion on the current flag debate, joining fellow ex-All Black Dan Carter in backing the new design.
"I was a little bit unsure, but would be happy to see the new one. The silver fern is a pretty special thing for an All Black - you wear it on your chest, and that's what being a Kiwi is all about. The one moment that got me was when we were running out for the last Bledisloe and they had the flags, and the Aussie and New Zealand ones looked identical. I just thought it would be good to have something that distinguishes us."
Moving out of rugby
McCaw said he had loved playing top-level rugby for the past 15 years, but had to prepare himself for missing the thrill of running out in front of 60,000 people, and trying to find something that was going to completely replace it would only end in disappointment.
"But the way I look at it is, I had a great time there, but it's time to move onto something else and other challenges. There are things out there I want to get stuck into and I have the attitude of being very excited about it. And I'm lucky I guess. I've been able to achieve a lot of the things I set out to do and haven't any regrets, so I can leave that part behind and move onto the next one."
While his future was wide open, McCaw said he was keen to carry on with the charity work that helped him receive last night's award, including the iSport charity set up with Carter and Ali Williams to help get kids into sport.
He said that when he first became a professional rugby player, he didn't originally think too much about that side of the job.
"But you get exposed to that pretty early, because obviously the team is involved, and one of the great rewarding things is that you see how much impact you can have through not too much effort at all really. And you get to see people who are struggling for whatever reason and you can lend a hand, and that's something you get a great amount of joy out of.
"And I will say the experiences and the great times I've had and taken from what I've been able to do, you want to see a way to give back. And I think we pay some of those great experiences and been able to lend some time and some energy towards that, and that's pretty cool."
Listen to Richie McCaw on Nine to Noon:
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags: Richie McCaw
Duration: 19'56"
09:45
UK correspondent Kate Adie
BODY:
An update of news from the United Kingdom
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 10'51"
10:10
Alasdair Hutton - voice of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
BODY:
As the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo bursts into life in the capital, Kathryn speaks to narrator, former Scottish MP, broadcaster and author Alasdair Hutton.
EXTENDED BODY:
As the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo bursts into life in the capital, Kathryn speaks to narrator, former Scottish MP, broadcaster and author Alasdair Hutton.
It is only the fifth time the Tattoo has ever been performed outside Scotland in more than 65 years.
There are more than 12,000 performers from United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Tonga, Fiji, Australia and including 200 kapa haka performers from New Zealand, all before a life-sized replica Edinburgh Castle.
More than 14 million people have attended the Tattoo since it was first performed in 1950.
It's part of the New Zealand Festival which has been going for 30 years now.
Alasdair Hutton is a former Scottish Conservative Party member of the European parliament, a former Territorial Army paratrooper, broadcaster, a published author, and since 1992, narrator of the huge spectacle.
Topics: music, arts
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 30'21"
10:40
Book Review: Gratitude by Oliver Sacks
BODY:
Reviewed by Phil Vine. Published by Picador.
Topics: books
Regions:
Tags: Oliver Sacks
Duration: 6'30"
11:10
New Technology with Sarah Putt
BODY:
Sarah asks whether Twitter has peaked, and looks at Mattel's revival of the "Thingmaker" as a 3D printer.
Topics: technology
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 19'37"
11:27
Parenting with Joseph Driessen - girls vs boys
BODY:
Education consultant Joseph Driessen discusses the differences between boys and girls both in terms of parenting and how they learn.
Topics: education, life and society
Regions:
Tags: parenting, Joseph Dreissen
Duration: 20'03"
11:50
Viewing with Duncan Greive
BODY:
Duncan Greive is the editor of The Spinoff.
Topics: arts, media
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 11'57"
=SHOW NOTES=
09:05 Justice Ministry is predicting nearly a thousand more prison beds will be needed in the next decade
Prisoner numbers are at an all time high and the Justice Ministry is predicting nearly a thousand more places will be needed in the next decade - a tenth of them for kiwi offenders being deported from Australia.
We speak to the Operations Manager for PARS, Rachel Ngatai and the Criminal Bar Association President, Tony Bouchier..
09:30 New Zealander of the Year, Richie McCaw
We talk to Richie McCaw about leadership, politics and his future plans
[image:60083:full] no metadata
09:45 UK correspondent Kate Adie
10:05 Alasdair Hutton - the voice of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo
As the Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo bursts into life in the capital, Kathryn speaks to narrator, former Scottish MP, broadcaster and author Alasdair Hutton.
[gallery:1768]
It is only the fifth time the Tatoo has ever been performed outside Scotland in more than 65 years.
There are more than 12,000 performers from United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Tonga, Fiji, Australia and including 200 kapa haka performers from New Zealand, all before a life-sized replica Edinburgh Castle.
More than 14 million people have attended the Tattoo since it was first performed in 1950.
It's part of the New Zealand Festival which has been going for 30 years now.
Alasdair Hutton is a former Scottish Conservative Party member of the European parliament, a former Territorial Army paratrooper, broadcaster, a published author, and since 1992, narrator of the huge spectacle.
10:35 Book review: Gratitude by Oliver Sacks
Reviewed by Phil Vine, published by Picador
10:45 The Reading: Stuff I Forgot to Tell My Daughter by Michèle A'Court (Part 4 of 5)
Michèle talks about the institution of marriage and some of the other rituals surrounding weddings like the stag and hens nights.
11:05 New technology with Sarah Putt
Sarah asks whether Twitter has peaked, and looks at Mattel's revival of the "Thingmaker" as a 3D printer.
11:25 Parenting with Joseph Driessen - girls vs boys
Education consultant Joseph Driessen discusses the differences between boys and girls both in terms of parenting and how they learn.
11:45 Viewing with Duncan Greive
Duncan Greive is the editor of The Spinoff
===Noon | Midday Report===
=DESCRIPTION=
RNZ news, followed by updates and reports until 1.00pm, including: 12:16 Business News 12:26 Sport 12:34 Rural News 12:43 Worldwatch
=AUDIO=
12:00
Midday News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
A murder charge over the death of a four-year-old Onehunga girl and the Justice Minsiter stays quiet on a report about David Bain's compensation claim.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 15'32"
12:17
Spark mobile helps drive 9% increase in first half net profit
BODY:
The telecommunications company, Spark, has reported an improved first half profit after a lift in mobile revenue and a fall in costs.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: Spark
Duration: 1'49"
12:19
Port of Tauranga first half profit eases, cargo volumes flat
BODY:
The country's biggest export port - the Port of Tauranga - has reported a lower first half profit with cargo volumes largely flat.
Topics: business
Regions: Bay of Plenty
Tags: Port of Tauranga
Duration: 1'18"
12:21
Nuplex's first half profit down
BODY:
The resins manufacturer, Nuplex, has reported a weaker first half profit, because of the loss of revenue and one-off costs from closing businesses.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: Nuplex
Duration: 1'32"
12:22
Companies hold their own in first half
BODY:
And it's been a mixed bag of results from other companies reporting their first half earnings today.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'05"
12:23
Midday Markets for 18 February 2016
BODY:
For the latest from the markets we're joined by Brad Gordon at Macquarie Private Wealth.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags: markets
Duration: 2'15"
12:25
Job ads dip in January
BODY:
Job advertisements have started the year on the back-foot.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 33"
12:26
Midday Sports News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle has been ruled out of the second cricket Test in Christchurch with back pain.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'42"
12:35
Midday Rural News for 18 February 2016
BODY:
News from the rural and farming sectors.
Topics: rural, farming
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 8'27"
=SHOW NOTES=
===1:06 PM. | Jesse Mulligan, 1–4pm===
=DESCRIPTION=
An upbeat mix of the curious and the compelling, ranging from the stories of the day to the great questions of our time (RNZ)
=AUDIO=
13:10
First Song
BODY:
Marlon Williams - 'Hello Miss Lonesome'.
Topics: music
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 4'30"
13:15
Easter Island Mysteries - Professor Carl Lipo
BODY:
It's been held up for decades as a story of ecocide. A group of polynesian settlers land on the shores of Easter Island or Rapa Nui - they build farms and erect the giant stone statues which still stand on the islands today. But the introduction of the polynesian rat together with rampant deforestation wipe out all the natural food sources and farms fail as soil fertility drops. Society breaks down and descends into warfare and cannibalism. In the end all that is left is the giant stone statues, obsidian spearheads and a small number of survivors. Well that's one theory, but my next guest - Archaeologist Carl Lipo from Binghamton University, says it's not so simple.
EXTENDED BODY:
It's been held up for decades as a story of ecocide. A group of polynesian settlers land on the shores of Easter Island or Rapa Nui - they build farms and erect the giant stone statues which still stand on the islands today.
But the introduction of the Polynesian rat together with rampant deforestation wipe out all the natural food sources and farms fail as soil fertility drops.
Society breaks down and descends into warfare and cannibalism. In the end all that is left is the giant stone statues, obsidian spearheads and a small number of survivors.
Well that's one theory, but my next guest - Archaeologist Carl Lipo from Binghamton University, says it's not so simple.
He talks to Jesse Mulligan.
Topics: history
Regions:
Tags: Easter Island, Rapa Nui
Duration: 11'38"
13:26
Flamenco - Isabel Rivera Cuenca
BODY:
The passionate, emotional sounds of Flamenco. Spanish Flamenco dancer, Isabel Rivera Cuenca, is here to talk about the art form. She'll be performing in Auckland next week at Q Theatre.
Topics: arts
Regions:
Tags: flamenco
Duration: 11'40"
13:38
Flying Dogs - Mark Vette
BODY:
In the past he's taught dogs to drive and now he's teaching dogs to fly. New Zealand animal trainer, Mark Vette, is making an attempt to teach our furry friends to pilot a plane. It's part of a new reality show being filmed in the UK, called Dogs Might Fly.
Topics: transport
Regions:
Tags: flying dogs
Duration: 8'32"
13:46
Favourite Album
BODY:
Gravelled And Green - The Actual Tigers.
Topics: music
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 13'28"
14:07
Money with Mary Holm
BODY:
Mary Holm is the author of several books about personal finance. She's a newspaper columnist, financial commentator and leader of seminars on financial matters. Today she's answering your questions.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Mary Holm, money
Duration: 26'18"
14:45
Food Guest
BODY:
Ray McVinnie shares his recipe for apricot cake.
EXTENDED BODY:
Ray McVinnie shares his recipe for apricot cake.
Topics: food
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 14'25"
15:07
Masterpieces
BODY:
Today's guest on Masterpieces is Simon Wilson, Editor-at-large of Metro magazine, discusses his favourite essay.
Topics: author interview
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 16'42"
15:24
The Expats
BODY:
Time for our weekly catch-up with an Expat. And today we're speaking with New Zealander, Kelly Charles Bolton. Kelly has been living in Japan and he has a rather unusual job, he's a fake priest.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Japan
Duration: 11'11"
15:45
The Panel pre-show for 18 February 2016
BODY:
Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 14'52"
21:20
Cheaper, greener and bendier solar cells
BODY:
Victoria University chemist Jonathan Halpert discusses nano-scale materials he investigates for future photovoltaic cells.
EXTENDED BODY:
Imagine that every window in your house doubles as a solar panel. Better still, imagine that your whole house is coated with a photovoltaic material that can be sprayed on like a lick of paint.
That’s the holy grail for Jonathan Halpert, a chemist with a nanotechnology bent, whose team at Victoria University of Wellington is exploring a suite of new materials that can turn sunlight into electricity.
Current commercial solar panels are based on silicon, the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, after oxygen. But although silicon is ubiquitous, it rarely occurs in its pure form, which is required for photovoltaic, or PV, panels.This means that the manufacture of silicon-based solar panels requires a lot of energy.
Silicon is also brittle and will shatter like glass when dropped.
And so the hunt is on for new materials that are as good or better in converting photons to electrons, but add other characteristics such as flexibility.
“Research is always 10 years ahead of where industry is going to wind up, so we’re looking at problems that we’ll want to solve 10 years from now. Flexibility is one, non-toxicity is another, low cost and availability are others that we’d like to bake into the equation of how we design these materials,” Dr Halpert says.
Back in 2014, Dr Halpert received a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship to support his research to design materials for new-generation solar panels, and with demand for solar panels on the rise globally, he says the research area is developing quickly.
His focus is on a group of light-emitting materials called perovskites, which were originally developed for use in LEDs but are now of interest for flexible solar cells.
“We can deposit them, they can be sprayed down in an aerosol or we can put them in solution and spread them, like butter on toast.”
He says such materials could be incorporated into fabrics or paints, and they could “generate energy where ever we want to have it”.
“It would be part of the material landscape, and everything could be making electricity.”
In his lab, the team makes the materials from scratch, starting with the light-absorbing material that is then sandwiched between other materials to increase the efficiency of the solar cell.
“In solar cells, power efficiency is the name of the game. There are a few other efficiencies, such as quantum efficiency, which is about how many electrons you get out for the number of photons that go in. It’s not just about the number you get out but also at what energy you get them out, which determines the voltage the cell can provide. Then the voltage times the current, which is the number of electrons, gives you the power the cell will provide, and that tells you whether it will run your vacuum cleaner or not.”
As far as efficiency is concerned, he says perovskites are not far behind silicon, and have made leaps in improvement in the past few years. One of the road bumps on the way to commercialisation is the use of lead, but Dr Halpert expects that issue to be resolved soon, with possible products on the market by 2018.
Topics: science, environment, climate
Regions:
Tags: photovoltaic cells, solar energy, perovskites
Duration: 20'33"
=SHOW NOTES=
1:10 First Song
Marlon Williams - 'Hello Miss Lonesome'.
1:17 Easter Island Mysteries - Professor Carl Lipo
It's been held up for decades as a story of ecocide. A group of polynesian settlers land on the shores of Easter Island or Rapa Nui - they build farms and erect the giant stone statues which still stand on the islands today. But the introduction of the polynesian rat together with rampant deforestation wipe out all the natural food sources and farms fail as soil fertility drops. Society breaks down and descends into warfare and cannibalism. In the end all that is left is the giant stone statues, obsidian spearheads and a small number of survivors. Well that's one theory, but my next guest - Archaeologist Carl Lipo from Binghamton University, says it's not so simple.
1:27 Flamenco - Isabel Rivera Cuenca
The passionate, emotional sounds of Flamenco. Spanish Flamenco dancer, Isabel Rivera Cuenca, is here to talk about the art form. She'll be performing in Auckland next week at Q Theatre.
1:34 Flying Dogs - Mark Vette
In the past he's taught dogs to drive and now he's teaching dogs to fly. New Zealand animal trainer, Mark Vette, is making an attempt to teach our furry friends to pilot a plane. It's part of a new reality show being filmed in the UK, called Dogs Might Fly.
1:40 Favourite Album
Gravelled And Green - The Actual Tigers.
2:10 Money with Mary Holm
Mary Holm is the author of several books about personal finance. She's a newspaper columnist, financial commentator and leader of seminars on financial matters. Today she's answering your questions.
2:30 Burnt Barley - Pita Mathias
Peta Mathias takes us to Doolin - the musical heart of County Clare where she wends her way through the crowds of foreigners in the three pubs, all pulsing with traditional Irish music.
2:45 Food Guest
Ray McVinnie drops in for a chat about food, including his apricot cake recipe.
3:10 Masterpieces
Today's guest on Masterpieces is Simon Wilson, Editor-at-large of Metro magazine, discusses his favourite essay.
3:25 The Expats
Time for our weekly catch-up with an Expat. And today we're speaking with New Zealander, Kelly Charles Bolton. Kelly has been living in Japan and he has a rather unusual job, he's a fake priest.
3:30 Our Changing World
With demand for solar energy on the rise globally, materials scientist Jonathan Halpert is focusing his research effort on developing new nano-structured materials that make solar panels more efficient, more flexible, cheaper and greener. Veronika Meduna meets him in the lab to find out about solar cells that could soon be coated on clothes and incorporated into windows.
3:45 The Panel Pre-Show
What the world is talking about with Jesse Mulligan, Jim Mora and Zara Potts.
===4:06 PM. | The Panel===
=DESCRIPTION=
An hour of discussion featuring a range of panellists from right along the opinion spectrum (RNZ)
=AUDIO=
15:45
The Panel pre-show for 18 February 2016
BODY:
Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 14'52"
16:03
The Panel with Chris Gallavin and John Barnett (Part 1)
BODY:
What the Panelists Chris Gallavin and John Barnett have been up to. Barrister and law lecturer Anne Stevens discusses the procedures around David Bain's bid for compensation for wrongful imprisonment. A man with measles who went out in public despite being told not to won't be punished by health authorities. An Auckland Airport employee has been fired after nearly $2m went missing. Are you ok with striking bus drivers even if you're inconvenienced?
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 22'06"
16:05
The Panel with Chris Gallavin and John Barnett (Part 2)
BODY:
Objects of desire kept in short supply. What the Panelists Chris Gallavin and John Barnett have been thinking about. Dr Claire Mathhews of Massey University talks about the future of cash. Ritchie McCaw is this year's New Zealander of the Year.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 27'41"
16:07
Panel intro
BODY:
What the Panelists Chris Gallavin and John Barnett have been up to.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 7'52"
16:15
Bain compo bid fails
BODY:
Barrister and law lecturer Anne Stevens discusses the procedures around David Bain's bid for compensation for wrongful imprisonment.
Topics: crime
Regions:
Tags: David Bain
Duration: 5'23"
16:20
Should measles carrier be punished?
BODY:
A man with measles who went out in public despite being told not to won't be punished by health authorities.
Topics: health
Regions:
Tags: measles
Duration: 4'26"
16:25
Airport employee fired over missing money
BODY:
An Auckland Airport employee has been fired after nearly $2m went missing.
Topics: crime
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: fraud, Auckland Airport
Duration: 1'55"
16:27
Auckland bus strike
BODY:
Are you ok with striking bus drivers even if you're inconvenienced?
Topics: business
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: Bus Drivers, strikes
Duration: 2'02"
16:32
Exclusivity
BODY:
Objects of desire kept in short supply.
Topics: economy
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 5'20"
16:38
Panel Says
BODY:
What the Panelists Chris Gallavin and John Barnett have been thinking about.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 11'02"
16:49
The future of cash
BODY:
Dr Claire Mathhews of Massey University talks about the future of cash.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: cash
Duration: 6'50"
16:56
Ritchie McCaw
BODY:
Ritchie McCaw is this year's New Zealander of the Year.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: New Zealander of the Year
Duration: 3'27"
=SHOW NOTES=
===5:00 PM. | Checkpoint===
=DESCRIPTION=
RNZ's weekday drive-time news and current affairs programme
=AUDIO=
12:00
Checkpoint with John Campbell, Thursday 18th February
BODY:
Watch Thursday's full programme here. It begins 5 minutes in.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 00"
17:09
Man arrested in Palmerston North in kidnap case
BODY:
As you've heard in the news - there's been a development in the case of the little girl who was kidnapped last week in Palmerston North.
Topics: crime
Regions: Manawatu
Tags: kidnapping
Duration: 3'25"
17:12
Which way will MPs vote in the flag referendum?
BODY:
Voting in the flag referendum opens on March the 3rd, and what was meant to be a process divorced from politics, now seems increasingly politicised.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: flag
Duration: 1'27"
17:14
PM's public support for the Lockwood flag at sod turning
BODY:
Prime Minister John Key has worn the challenger flag, not the country's actual flag, on his lapel, for months now.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: flag
Duration: 3'37"
17:18
Suspended meatworker's wife says 130 families are struggling
BODY:
130 meatworkers and their families still have no news on what's happening at the Prime Range meat works, says Shirley, the wife of one of the workers.
Topics:
Regions: Southland
Tags: Prime Range meat works
Duration: 5'47"
17:24
Poi rule change slammed as sexist
BODY:
A storm is brewing in the world of Maori performing arts. Kapa Haka is one of the fastest growing Maori cultural activities, with tens of thousands of school children competing in mini regional competitions, vying for a place at the national competition.
Topics: te ao Maori
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 4'58"
17:29
Willie Te Aho comments on poi rule change
BODY:
Iwi leader Willie Te Aho speaks to John Campbell about the poi rule change, on behalf of the National Secondary Schools kapa haka organising committee.
Topics: te ao Maori
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'37"
17:35
Business news with Nona Pelletier
BODY:
Another busy day on the corporate reporting calendar.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags: markets
Duration: 3'24"
17:38
Officials confirm $3m abattoir could be gift to Saudi Govt
BODY:
Officials have confirmed the Government's spending three million dollars on an abattoir that may well end up being a gift to the Saudi Government, which recently executed its political opponents.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: Saudi Arabia
Duration: 2'52"
17:41
Privacy Commissioner seeks transparency of information requests
BODY:
A trial by the Privacy Commission has highlighted the vast number of personal information requests made to companies by the police and government agencies.
Topics: security, politics, law
Regions:
Tags: privacy
Duration: 4'33"
17:46
Auckland commuters brace for bus strikes tomorrow
BODY:
Auckland Transport is urging commuters to come up with a plan for getting to work tomorrow as more than a thousand bus drivers walk off the job for 24 hours.
Topics: transport
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: bus strike
Duration: 2'36"
17:48
Change the Flag chair says flag video stars unpaid
BODY:
Lewis Holden, chair of the Change the Flag campaign, speak to John Campbell about the video released today promoting the challenger flag.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: flag
Duration: 4'14"
17:52
Pop-up Globe Theatre opens tomorrow in Auckland
BODY:
Tucked in behind the Auckland Town Hall, in a non-descript car park, a mysterious structure has slowly been taking shape this year.
Topics: arts
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: Pop-up Globe
Duration: 5'15"
18:08
High-profile NZers try to bolster pro-flag change campaign
BODY:
Dozens of high-profile New Zealanders are lending their star power to the pro-flag change campaign, with just two weeks to go until the binding referendum.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: flag
Duration: 3'45"
18:12
Tonga braces for Cyclone Winston
BODY:
In Tonga, the country is bracing itself for what could become a Category 5 cyclone over the next 24 hours.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Tonga
Duration: 3'19"
18:15
Matt Chatteron live from the Halberg Awards red carpet
BODY:
The winners of the 53rd Halberg Awards, New Zealand's pre-eminent sports awards, will be revealed in a couple of hours.
Topics: sport
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: 53rd Halberg Awards
Duration: 3'46"
18:19
Could netball adopt the 3-pointer?
BODY:
The three-point shot has excited basketball fans for decades, and it's been at the heart of many of the sport's most memorable moments.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags: netball
Duration: 4'16"
18:24
Revolutionary blood cancer treatment makes headlines
BODY:
A revolutionary American blood cancer therapy that uses the body's own immune cells to attack metastatic tumours has made headlines around the world.
Topics: health
Regions:
Tags: cancer treatment
Duration: 5'35"
18:50
Today In Parliament for 18 February 2016 - evening edition
BODY:
Bill English fields questions from NZ First's Ron Mark about the upcoming flag referendum; Questions also about housing intensification for Building & Housing Minister Nick Smith; Labour's David Clark seeks details of TPPA negotiations in Select Committee and Question Time.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 5'14"
=SHOW NOTES=
===6:30 PM. | Worldwatch===
=DESCRIPTION=
The stories behind the international headlines
===6:55 PM. | In Parliament===
=DESCRIPTION=
===7:06 PM. | Nights===
=DESCRIPTION=
RNZ's weeknight programme of entertainment and information
=AUDIO=
19:10
Haggis' Not Scottish
BODY:
Scottish butcher Joe Callaghan on why haggis should not be claimed as the national dish of Scotland as it is more properly, a Viking recipe...
Topics: food
Regions:
Tags: Scotland, haggis, staggis, Vikings
Duration: 20'09"
20:45
Nights' Culture - Hip Hop
BODY:
University of Auckland ethnomusicologist Dr Kirsten Zemke raps about hip hop music and culture. Tonight, the Chicago scene.
Topics: music, life and society
Regions:
Tags: hip hop, rap music, Chicago, Kanye West, Common, Chance the Rapper
Duration: 21'28"
20:59
Conundrum clue 7
BODY:
Conundrum clue 7.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 06"
21:59
Conundrum clue 8
BODY:
Conundrum clue 8.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'05"
=SHOW NOTES=
[image:60069:half]
7:12 Haggis' Not Scottish
Scottish butcher Joe Callaghan on why haggis should not be claimed as the national dish of Scotland as it is more properly, a Viking recipe...
7:35 At the Movies
movie reviews and film industry news with Simon Morris
8:12 Window on the World - Assignment: Trump v the Republicans: PJ O'Rourke on the Campaign Trail
international public radio documentaries
8:43 Nights' Culture - Hip Hop
University of Auckland ethnomusicologist Dr Kirsten Zemke raps about hip hop music and culture... the Chicago scene...
culture roster: Classical, Comics, Jamaican Music, Poetry, Hip Hop, Video Games, Jazz, Pasifika, Electronic Music, Dance
8:59 conundrum clue 7
9:07 Our Changing World
science, environment and medical research in New Zealand labs and out in the field
9:59 conundrum clue 8
10:17 Late Edition
a round up of today's RNZ News and feature interviews as well as Date Line Pacific from RNZ International
11:07 Music 101 pocket edition
the digest on brand-new music with Emma Smith
... nights' time is the right time...
===7:30 PM. | At The Movies===
=DESCRIPTION=
A weekly topical magazine about current film releases and film related topics
=AUDIO=
19:30
At The Movies for 18 February 2016
BODY:
Simon Morris looks at the Bafta Film Awards announced this week, and reviews three films about heroes – superheroes in the case of Marvel Comics’ Deadpool, real-life heroics by the US Coast Guards in The Finest Hours, and popular culture heroes in the supermodel spoof Zoolander 2.
Topics: arts
Regions:
Tags: films
Duration: 23'28"
=SHOW NOTES=
[audio_play]
Featured this week – superhero spoof Deadpool, starring Ryan Reynolds, directed by Tim Miller.
[embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--Dlb_V6Qw
The Finest Hours, a real-life rescue, set – once again – in 1952. It’s directed by Craig Gillespie and stars Chris Pine, Casey Affleck and Holliday Grainger.
[embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEoPMb6CPYc
Zoolander 2 – the long delayed sequel to the 2001 fashion comedy, directed by Ben Stiiler, and starring Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penelope Cruz and dozens of celebrity cameos.
[embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKp1w0TRGVc
===8:13 PM. | Windows On The World===
=DESCRIPTION=
International public radio features and documentaries
===9:06 PM. | Our Changing World===
=DESCRIPTION=
Highlights from the world of science and the environment, with Alison Ballance and Veronika Meduna
===10:00 PM. | Late Edition===
=DESCRIPTION=
RNZ news, including Dateline Pacific and the day's best interviews from RNZ National
===11:06 PM. | Music 101===
=DESCRIPTION=
Music, interviews, live performances, behind the scenes, industry issues, career profiles, new, back catalogue, undiscovered, greatest hits, tall tales - with a focus on New Zealand/Aotearoa (RNZ)