A recording of Radio New Zealand National from 5am to midnight. The following rundown is sourced from the broadcaster’s website. Note some overseas/copyright restricted items may not appear in the supplied rundown:
04 February 2015
===12:04 AM. | All Night Programme===
=DESCRIPTION=
Including: 12:05 Music after Midnight; 12:30 The Truth About Life and Death (4 of 6, BBC); 1:15 Insight (RNZ); 2:05 The Forum (BBC); 3:05 Tears and Hugs, by Shirley Eng (RNZ); 3:30 Kate's Classics (RNZ); 5:10 Witness (BBC)
===6:00 AM. | Morning Report===
=DESCRIPTION=
Radio New Zealand's three-hour breakfast news show with news and interviews, bulletins on the hour and half-hour, including: 6:18 Pacific News 6:22 Rural News 6:27 and 8:45 Te Manu Korihi News 6:44 and 7:41 NZ Newspapers 6:47 Business News 7:42 and 8:34 Sports News 6:46 and 7:24 Traffic
=AUDIO=
06:00
Top Stories for Wednesday 4 February 2015
BODY:
Jordanian pilot burnt to death;UK parliament votes on triple parent;Dairy analyst discusses latest results from overnight auction;New chair of Waitangi marae asks for civil welcome for PM;Waitangi Day;Chinese expected to buy up more of New Zealand;Rising commodity prices could spell end of cheaper petrol;ANZ Chief Economist discusses interest rate cuts in Australia;Key faces more questions about timing.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 36'53"
06:16
Pacific News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
The latest from the Pacific region.
Topics: Pacific
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'46"
06:22
Morning Rural News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
News from the rural and farming sector.
Topics: rural, farming
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'49"
06:27
Te Manu Korihi for 4 February 2015
BODY:
A building expert says Māori need to wake up to the issue of earthquake-prone marae, describing the situation as a 'big runaway train hurtling towards them'. An Australian-based study shows the Māori language changes much faster compared to other Pacific ones. One of Aotearoa's largest tribes says it needs better clarity from the Government in order to help it move forward with a project to buy its region's state houses. The Tauranga City Council is anticipating that artists will be proposing Māori artworks for the city.
Topics: te ao Māori
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'25"
06:45
Fallout of the Paris attacks on society in France
BODY:
Paris is still reeling from the after effects of the killings at the Charlie Hebdo Headquarters last month, and the series of sieges that followed.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: France, Charlie Hebdo
Duration: 3'04"
06:49
Latest overnight dairy auction
BODY:
The global dairy price index has risen for a fourth consecutive time, led by a jump in the whole milk powder price.
Topics: business, farming
Regions:
Tags: dairy, dairy prices
Duration: 41"
06:51
New Zealand commodity prices fall in January for the 11th month
BODY:
The prices of New Zealand's commodities fell further in January for the 11th consecutive month, although dairy products may have bottomed out.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'21"
06:53
Auckland house prices surge and expected to continue to rise
BODY:
Infometrics sees the Auckland housing market heating up again, as pent up demand drives prices ever higher.
Topics: housing
Regions:
Tags: Auckland
Duration: 1'53"
06:55
Skill shortages constrain Canterbury rebuild
BODY:
Competition with the booming Auckland housing market, is likely to constrain progress in the Canterbury rebuild, this year.
Topics:
Regions: Canterbury
Tags: Christchurch, Canterbury rebuild, construction
Duration: 2'34"
06:57
Wellington's Centreport plans to dredge to allow bigger ships
BODY:
Wellington's port, Centreport, is planning to dredge the harbour's shipping channel to allow bigger ships to visit it.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Wellington, CentrePort, shipping
Duration: 2'11"
06:59
Morning Markets for 4 February 2015
BODY:
A brief market update.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 39"
07:06
Sports News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
An update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 1'41"
07:10
Jordanian pilot burnt to death
BODY:
There's been a horrifying end to the capture of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Jordan, Islamic State
Duration: 7'12"
07:17
UK parliament votes on triple parent
BODY:
The British Parliament has voted to allow the creation of babies using DNA from three people.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: UK
Duration: 4'14"
07:23
Dairy analyst discusses latest results from overnight auction
BODY:
Global dairy prices have bounced back overnight, jumping 9-point-4 percent overall in the latest Global Dairy Trade auction.
Topics: business, economy
Regions:
Tags: dairy, dairy prices
Duration: 2'23"
07:27
New chair of Waitangi marae asks for civil welcome for PM
BODY:
The new chairperson of the Waitangi marae says the Prime Minister should expect plain speaking at Waitangi this year, but not abuse.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: Waitangi, Waitangi Day
Duration: 3'39"
07:28
Waitangi
BODY:
The Waitangi Day celebrations are taking place against the backdrop of ongoing divisions within host iwi Ngapuhi.
Topics: te ao Māori
Regions: Northland
Tags: Waitangi, Waitangi Day, Ngapuhi
Duration: 4'34"
07:42
Chinese expected to buy up more of New Zealand
BODY:
Chinese investors are expected to buy even more New Zealand properties this year.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: foreign investment
Duration: 3'54"
07:44
Rising commodity prices could spell end of cheaper petrol
BODY:
If you're putting petrol in the car for the first time in a while today, you'll find the price is starting to creep back up.
Topics: economy
Regions:
Tags: petrol prices
Duration: 3'03"
07:47
ANZ Chief Economist discusses interest rate cuts in Australia.
BODY:
Less than a week after the New Zealand central bank kept interest rates here unchanged, its Australian counterpart has surprised many by cutting its interest rates for the first time in a year-and-a-half.
Topics: economy
Regions:
Tags: interest rates, Australia
Duration: 2'51"
07:50
Key faces more questions about timing
BODY:
John Key is facing more questions about exactly when he knew about the matters that led to the resignation of MP Mike Sabin.
Topics: politics
Regions:
Tags: John Key, Mike Sabin
Duration: 4'25"
07:54
Australian MP wants Abbott's leadership put to vote soon
BODY:
The Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's woes are worsening, with one Coalition MP saying he will back a leadership contest.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Australia, Tony Abbott
Duration: 4'23"
08:06
Sports News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
An update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'06"
08:10
Pilot analyst
BODY:
There's shock and horror in Jordan, and around the world to the killing of captured Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh by Islamic state.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Islamic State, Jordan
Duration: 9'59"
08:15
Waitangi commemorations
BODY:
Commemorations of the one hundred and seventy fifth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi begin tomorrow with politicians visiting Waitangi Marae.
Topics:
Regions: Northland
Tags: Waitangi, Waitangi Day
Duration: 5'03"
08:28
Dispute over West Coast graveyard
BODY:
A West Coast council says it's working to sort out a dispute over the ownership of part of a graveyard sold to a private owner.
Topics:
Regions: West Coast
Tags: cemetery, Ross
Duration: 2'26"
08:29
Markets Update for 4 February 2015
BODY:
A brief update of movements in the financial sector.
Topics: economy, business
Regions:
Tags: markets
Duration: 1'02"
08:35
Ko to play in NZ but television isn't covering tournament live
BODY:
Golfing phenomenon Lydia Ko returns home to compete in the New Zealand Women's Open this month in Christchurch.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags: golf, Lydia Ko
Duration: 3'10"
08:40
Lack of prosecution over prisoner death criticised
BODY:
Prisoner advocates say they're appalled no one will be prosecuted over the death of an Otago prisoner.
Topics:
Regions: Otago
Tags: Jai Davis, Corrections
Duration: 3'22"
08:45
New charter schools don't want fight over students
BODY:
A new South Auckland charter school has taken a swing at state schools, but another says it wants to support its neighbours rather than compete with them.
Topics: education
Regions:
Tags: schools, charter schools, Auckland
Duration: 3'04"
08:48
Te Manu Korihi for 4 February 2015
BODY:
A building expert says Māori need to wake up to the issue of earthquake-prone marae, describing the situation as a 'big runaway train hurtling towards them'. Whanau of students at a bilingual unit at an Auckland school says they are willing to meet with the Board of Trustees to help resolve concerns following a protest held this week. An Australian-based study shows the Māori language changes much faster compared to other Pacific ones. One of Aotearoa's largest tribes says it needs better clarity from the Government in order to help it move forward with a project to buy its region's state houses.
Topics: te ao Māori
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 3'07"
08:50
Australian government told no more options for two in Bali
BODY:
The Australian government's been told there is nothing it can do to save two Australian drug smugglers from the firing squad.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Australia
Duration: 2'14"
08:54
German woman left track to take pictures before dramatic fall
BODY:
The decision by a young German woman to leave an established track at Milford Sound, and take a photo too close to the edge of a ravine has led to a dramatic five hour rescue, but police say it could have been much worse.
Topics:
Regions: Southland
Tags: Milford Sounds
Duration: 3'02"
08:58
Fiji plans to dump Union Jack for more Pacific-themed flag
BODY:
Fiji plans to remove the Union Jack from its flag. The prime minister, Frank Bainamarama, says the flag had served the country well since 1970 but is now outdated.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Fiji
Duration: 3'22"
=SHOW NOTES=
===9:06 AM. | Nine To Noon===
=DESCRIPTION=
Current affairs and topics of interest, including: 10:45 The Reading: Sojourn in Arles, by Owen Marshall (1 of 2, RNZ)
=AUDIO=
09:10
Is a backtrack underway on part of DoC restructure?
BODY:
Robin McNeill is the president of Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, and the former chair of the Southland Conservation Board. Heather Rogan is the Convenor of the Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, which works to protect the endangered bird around New Zealand. Kevin Both is the Advocacy Manager for Forest and Bird. Kay Booth is the Deputy Director General of Conservation Partnerships for the Conservation Department.
Topics: environment, politics
Regions:
Tags: Department of Conservation; Fairy Tern Trust
Duration: 23'53"
09:35
Concern over access to swimming lessons
BODY:
It's been a sobering start to the year with 19 drowning deaths in January - which is 10 more than January last year. Water Safety New Zealand is currently renewing its strategy to decide where to allocate its 1.8 million dollars a year funding to make the biggest impact to try to prevent water fatalities. The focus needs to be widespread, with eight of the January deaths at unpatrolled beaches and five in rivers. Swimming coach John Ross is concerned about the lack of access thousands of children have to swimming lessons in order to be safe in the water.
EXTENDED BODY:
It's been a sobering start to the year with 19 drowning deaths in January - which is 10 more than January last year. Water Safety New Zealand is currently renewing its strategy to decide where to allocate its 1.8 million dollars a year funding to make the biggest impact to try to prevent water fatalities. The focus needs to be widespread, with eight of the January deaths at unpatrolled beaches and five in rivers.
John Ross from Swimzone Lower Hutt, who has been a swimming coaching for more than 3 decades says not all children get swimming lessons through school, and those who do, are not learning enough to keep themselves safe.
John Ross and the Chief Executive of Water Safety NZ Matt Claridge join Kathryn Ryan to discuss how to get kids swimming safely.
Topics: life and society
Regions:
Tags: Matt Claridge, John Ross, water safety, drowning, swimming lessons
Duration: 14'30"
09:50
Australia correspondent Karen Middleton
BODY:
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot under increasing pressure from his own party.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: Australia
Duration: 9'30"
10:10
Miscarriage of justice - the George Gwaze murder case
BODY:
GP and forensic physician, Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith, on her fresh investigation of the George Gwaze murder case - and why she says the crown got it wrong.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags: George Gwaze
Duration: 26'47"
10:40
Book Review: The History of Rock 'n' Roll in Ten Songs
BODY:
The History of Rock 'n' Roll in Ten Songs by Greil Marcus. Published by Yale University Press and reviewed by Harry Ricketts.
Topics: books, music
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 7'15"
11:10
Marty Duda's artist of the week - Ryan Bingham
BODY:
Academy Award-winning songwriter Ryan Bingham is best known for his contribution to the soundtrack to the 2009 film Crazy Heart. His song, The Weary Kind, won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. But Bingham had been around long before Crazy Heart, with his debut album, Mescalito, released in 2007. Since his success on the silver screen, Ryan Bingham has been busy. His 2010 album, Junky Star was produced by T Bone Burnett and his 2012 album Tomorrowland found him rocking harder and more passionately than ever before. This week, Ryan Bingham releases his newest album, Fear And Saturday Night. TRACKS 1. Hard Times (4:38) -Ryan Bingham taken from 2007 album, "Mescalito" (Lost Highway) 2 The Weary Kind (4:18)- Ryan Bingham taken from 2010 album, "Crazy Heart Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (New West) 3. Beg For Broken Legs (4:14) - Ryan Bingham taken from 2012 album, "Tomorrowland" (Axter-Bingham) 4. Broken Heart Tattoos (3:58) - Ryan Bingham taken from 2015 album, "Fear And Saturday Night" (Axter-Bingham)
Topics: music
Regions:
Tags: Ryan Bingham
Duration: 24'57"
11:30
Parliamentary Law with Ryan Malone
BODY:
Ryan Malone takes a first-principles look at confidence votes in parliament.
Topics: law
Regions:
Tags: parliament, confidence votes
Duration: 11'21"
11:45
Science commentator Siouxsie Wiles
BODY:
We look at the UK government's decision overnight to allow 3 person IVF - what it means, and why some fear it could lead to designer babies.
Topics: science
Regions:
Tags: genetics, biology
Duration: 12'27"
=SHOW NOTES=
09:05 Is a backtrack underway on part of DoC restructure?
Robin McNeill is the president of Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, and the former chair of the Southland Conservation Board; Heather Rogan, the Convenor of the Fairy Tern Charitable Trust, which works to protect the endangered bird around New Zealand; Kevin Hackwell, Advocacy Manager for Forest and Bird; and Kay Booth, Deputy Director General of Conservation Partnerships for the Conservation Department.
09:15 Concern over access to swimming lessons
It's been a sobering start to the year with 19 drowning deaths in January - which is 10 more than January last year. Water Safety New Zealand is currently renewing its strategy to decide where to allocate its 1.8 million dollars a year funding to make the biggest impact to try to prevent water fatalities. The focus needs to be widespread, with eight of the January deaths at unpatrolled beaches and five in rivers. Swimming coach John Ross is concerned about the lack of access thousands of children have to swimming lessons in order to be safe in the water.
Matt Claridge, Chief Executive of Water Safety NZ and John Ross from Swimzone Lower Hutt has been a swimming coach for more than 30 years, who has been coaching for more than 3 decades says not all children get swimming lessons through school, and those who do, are not learning enough to keep themselves safe.
09:45 Australia correspondent Karen Middleton
Karen Middleton reports on the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot under increasing pressure from his own party.
10:05 Miscarriage of justice - the George Gwaze murder case
GP and forensic physician, Professor Felicity Goodyear-Smith, on her fresh investigation of the George Gwaze murder case and why she says the crown got it wrong.
Book: Murder that Wasn't - The case of George Gwaze by Felicity Goodyear-Smith. Published by Otago University Press, ISBN 978-1-877578-99-1, $35.00
10:35 Book review: 'The History of Rock 'n' Roll in Ten Songs' by Greil Marcus
Reviewed by Harry Ricketts. Published by Yale University Press
10:45 The Reading: 'Sojourn in Arles', by Owen Marshall
David Wilson takes a trip around Europe after the death of his wife. With limited funds, he accepts the offer from a stranger to stay in his apartment in Arles. (1 of 2, RNZ)
11:05 Marty Duda's artist of the week: Ryan Bingham
Academy award-winning songwriter Ryan Bingham is best known for his contribution to the soundtrack to the 2009 film Crazy Heart. His song, The Weary Kind, won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. But Bingham had been around long before Crazy Heart, with his debut album, 'Mescalito', released in 2007. Since his success on the silver screen, Ryan Bingham has been busy. His 2010 album, 'Junky Star' was produced by T Bone Burnett and his 2012 album 'Tomorrowland' found him rocking harder and more passionately than ever before. This week, Ryan Bingham releases his newest album, 'Fear And Saturday Night'.
Tracks:
1. Hard Times – Ryan Bingham taken from 2007 album, 'Mescalito' (Lost Highway)
2. The Weary Kind – Ryan Bingham taken from 2010 album, 'Crazy Heart Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' (New West)
3. Beg For Broken Legs – Ryan Bingham taken from 2012 album, 'Tomorrowland' (Axter-Bingham)
4. Broken Heart Tattoos – Ryan Bingham taken from 2015 album, 'Fear And Saturday Night' (Axter-Bingham)
11:30 Law with Ryan Malone
Ryan Malone takes a first-principles look at confidence votes in parliament.
11:45 Science commentator, Siouxsie Wiles
Siouxsie Wiles looks at the UK government's decision overnight to allow 3 person IVF - what it means, and why some fear it could lead to designer babies.
=PLAYLIST=
Artist: The Head and the Heart
Song: Summertime
Composer: The Head and the Heart
Album: Let’s Be Still
Label: SUB POP
Time: 09:35
Artist: Meaghan Smith
Song: A Little Love
Composer: Smith
Album: The Crickets Quartet
Label: SIRE
Time: 10:07
Artist: Bella Kalolo
Song: The Road Ahead
Composer: Kalolo
Album: The Road Ahead
Label: BELLA SOUNDS
Time: 10:35
Artist: Buddy Holly
Song: Crying, Waiting, Hoping
Composer: HOLLY
Album: Buddy Holly - Gold
Label: Decca
Time: 10:44
Artist: James Hunter
Song: The Gypsy
Composer: Hunter
Album: Minute by Minute
Label: Fantasy
Time: 11:44
===Noon | Midday Report===
=DESCRIPTION=
Radio New Zealand 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=
11:21
NZ dollar rebounds strongly after dairy auction
BODY:
The New Zealand dollar rebounded sharply against the Greenback after a sharp rise in prices at the latest global dairy auction and on weakness in the US dollar.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: NZ dollar
Duration: 1'22"
12:00
Midday News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
The Jordanian government is promising what it calls an earth-shaking response to avenge the murder of one of its air force pilots by Islamic State extremists. The day after the British foreign secretary urged New Zealand to help the fight against Islamic State, talks are taking place between the two countries' defence chiefs.
Topics:
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 14'21"
12:17
Unemployment spiked to 5.7% in December
BODY:
The unemployment rate spiked up to 5.7 percent in the December quarter, even though the labour force grew by 36-thousand people to a record number.
Topics: business, life and society
Regions:
Tags: unemployment
Duration: 1'03"
12:18
Economist says less product driving dairy prices
BODY:
An economist says the latest rise in global dairy prices reflects the impact of falling supply.
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: dairy price
Duration: 1'26"
12:22
Auckland real estate market sees continuing strong demand
BODY:
Fresh data points to continuing strong demand in the Auckland property market.
Topics: business, housing
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: housing market
Duration: 1'02"
12:25
Midday Markets for 4 February 2015
BODY:
For the latest from the markets we're joined by Andrew Cathie at Craigs Investment Partners
Topics: business
Regions:
Tags: markets
Duration: 2'21"
12:27
Midday Sports News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
The veteran All Blacks Sevens player Tim Mikkelson has been ruled out of this weekend's Wellington tournament and next week's event in the United States because of injury.
Topics: sport
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 2'35"
12:35
Midday Rural News for 4 February 2015
BODY:
News from the rural and farming sectors.
Topics: rural
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 8'20"
=SHOW NOTES=
===1:06 PM. | Afternoons===
=DESCRIPTION=
Information and debate, people and places around NZ
=AUDIO=
13:09
Your Song - Les Fleurs
BODY:
'Les Fleurs' by 4 Hero, chosen by Mark Graham of Auckland
Topics: music
Regions:
Tags: 4Hero, Les Fleurs
Duration: 18'27"
13:25
Music Trivia game
BODY:
No clues here, sorry!
Topics: music
Regions:
Tags:
Duration: 33'30"
14:09
Eye Research - Associate Professor David Ackerley
BODY:
Work is well under way in a project to grow part of a human eye. The aim is to produce a retina. This could be used to help prevent degenerative blindness, one of the most common forms of vision loss. The scientific breakthrough was made in the United States, but important work is being carried out right here. David Ackerley is an associate professor and biotechnology programme director at Victoria University, and he works with the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre.
Topics: science
Regions:
Tags: blindness, biotechnology, eyes
Duration: 9'19"
14:18
I Wanna Be Na Nah Na Nah Nah - Tessa Mitchell
BODY:
It's called 'I Wanna Be Na Nah Na Nah Nah', and it's the title of a new play painting a picture of how the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby used to be. But it's not just any ordinary play where you sit in a theatre watching actors on-stage. It's part of the Auckland's Fringe Festival and is a collaboration between theatre-maker Stephen Bain, personality Dave Fane, and writer and actor Tessa Mitchell. Tessa explains just why this play is so different.
Topics: arts
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: theatre, Ponsonby
Duration: 13'35"
14:35
Our Aquanauts - Saturation Diver Chris Fabish
BODY:
Ever heard of the term aquanaut? There are as few as 100 New Zealanders working as aquanauts or saturation divers around the globe, maintaining deep-sea oil wells and pipelines in the most extreme conditions. Lynda Chanwai-Earle investigates the working life of our saturation divers.
EXTENDED BODY:
Saturation divers at work and at rest in the hyperbaric chamber. Images sent via satellite hence the low resolution. Photos courtesy Chris Fabish
There's a lot of talk about waking up one day and you can't stand up because your bones have turned to chalk. There's been a study done in the North Sea. They've debunked it as a myth. I've been in saturation with guys in their mid-sixties and they've been at it for 30 to 40 years and they're fit as a 20 year old. - Chris Fabish, Saturation Diver
Aquanaut Chris Fabish, daughter Sammy, wife Bonny (right to left).
Chris Fabish, wife Bonny and 13 year old daughter Sammy relax in the back-yard at their home in Waikanae (with their three beloved dogs). Its a gorgeous hot summer day; the birds are singing, the neighbors kids are squabbling and the only thing on everyone's mind is whether to go for a spearfishing trip to Kapiti Island that weekend. They're all mad about diving in this family (that is everyone except Bonny - too claustrophobic!).
Sammy tells me that her dad's job involves a lot of travel abroad. Sammy loves having her dad at home (lots of ice-cream and treats) and Bonny is very relieved to have her husband back, probably because Chris doesn't have just any ordinary old job in an office. Chris is an aquanaut.
It takes 2 days for astronauts to return to earth but aquanauts can take up to two weeks to be brought back to the surface during decompression. Most of us probably take transport for granted, forgetting a very select group of saturation divers, working under the most extreme conditions to maintain the deep-sea oil wells and pipelines to bring us this fossil-fuel.
This is idyllic down-time, Chris has 28 days off with his family. Chris has deserved his time off. He's just spent a couple of months in the Arabian Sea; 28 days with no sunlight, living at depths of anywhere up to 200m (600ft), working on those deep-sea oil wells around the globe. Chris used to be a fireman, then he took up commercial diving and loved it. Now he's a saturation diver. He tells me that the money is really good. It makes this extreme kind of job worth it.
For aquanauts the sea-floor, diving bells and the hyperbaric chambers aboard the ships are home for 28 days. Chris will spend 28 days under saturation breathing Heliox because normal air is toxic at such depths (effects of oxygen toxicity and nitrogen narcosis). A mixture of mostly helium and a little oxygen is used. The deeper they go, the less oxygen they need. It’s no more than 28 days because by the end of this stretch Chris will become anemic and lethargic with the lack of oxygen in his bloodstream.
Did we mention the squeaky voice? Helium changes the pitch of the voice and the deeper they go, the more squeakier the voice gets (like Donald Duck on speed). Sometimes Bonny just can't understand a word her husband says at all when he calls home from the phone on board the hyperbaric chamber.
Chris tells me that the multi-billion dollar oil companies he works for regard saturation diving safety as paramount. Saturation divers work in teams of 3, requiring two on the sea bottom and one safety diver in the diving-bell on stand-by. They all have constant communication to the ship at the surface. The huge DVS or diving support vessels are purpose built, with as many as three hyperbaric chambers aboard, a diving bell and a moon-pool (a well in the centre of the ship). It's absolute high-tech, satelite and computer driven, manned by a crew of around 160. They're all there just for the elite team of saturation divers numbering less than 20:
We work in saturation diving teams where one is on the sea floor while the other is resting in the chambers. It's a floating construction site. It's 24-seven, 365 days a year. The DSV costs hundreds of thousands a day to send us down. They don't like down time.
Is it always cold and dark down there?
No, some places like the Arabian Sea are quite light and blue. The last big contract I was on was in Azerbaijan. We were down to 196m. There it is dark, all you can see is from the torch on your hat. Very, very cold. Different areas around the world have different water temperatures and depths and clarity.
What about the sea life? Big fish checking you out?
Yeah I've come across whale sharks, we had those in Qatar. Huge, huge stingrays [manta rays], even a visit from some seals at 196m. One of them popped his head up into the diving bell and breathed some helium. His voice went all squeaky.
And your first time ever saturation diving? What was that like?
I was on a construction barge and I was really nervous. Living in the chambers was all new to me. You hop in the bell and its just a maze of valves and switches and equipment. It can be quite overpowering. But as soon as your out of the bell and on the sea-bed working it's just the same as air-diving. So I just hopped out and spend the next 6 hours with a sledge hammer banging away at a flange.
Other side effects of heliox? Chris tells me that body temperature cools, it's harder to keep warm. Food also goes cold quickly. Everything gets sent to the divers through a medi-lock by the crew serving them. What about other senses? What about taste?
Food is tasteless at depth. We end up putting a lot of pepper and sauces on our food and we eat quickly. Sometimes it's like pigs at a trough!
You must be relieved at the end of your 28 day stretch, when you get to go home?
The thing I enjoy is when you first get out of the chambers, going up on the heli-deck – where the helicopters land and just walking around in the sun. On a day like this, there’s nothing like it. Then we're on the next helicopter and we're off. I miss the girls, I can't wait to see my family!
Photo: Commercial diving equipment looks similar to saturation diving equipment, Commercial Diver Tam Pullen at work, photo courtesy Underwater Solutions Ltd
For more information on saturation diving, Chris recommends this BBC Documentary: Real Men Under Pressure (2007)
Topics:
Regions: Wellington Region
Tags:
Duration: 29'58"
14:46
Feature album - Freedom
BODY:
'Freedom' is the eighteenth studio album by Canadian rock musician Neil Young, released in 1989. 'Freedom' effectively relaunched Young's career after a largely unsuccessful decade.
Topics: music
Regions:
Tags: Neil Young, freedom
Duration: 13'52"
15:09
Online with Paul Brislen
BODY:
The Cloud - Paul talks about what it is (marketing) and what it isn't (the answer to everything). BYODs (bring your own devices) at school and the controversy around parents paying for devices. Windows 10 - why it's a big deal for Microsoft
Topics: internet, technology, education
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Tags: cloud computing, the cloud, windows 10, byod
Duration: 22'38"
15:46
The Panel pre-show for 4 February 2015
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Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel.
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Duration: 13'54"
=SHOW NOTES=
1:10 Your Song
Les Fleurs - 4 Hero. Chosen by Mark Graham of Auckland
1:20 Music Trivia game
No clues here, sorry!
2:10 Eye Research - Associate Professor David Ackerley
Work is well under way in a project to grow part of a human eye. The aim is to produce a retina. This could be be used to help prevent degenerative blindness, one of the most common forms of vision loss. The scientific breakthrough was made in the United States, but important work is being carried out right here. David Ackerley is an associate professor and biotechnology programme director at Victoria University, and he works with the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre
2:20 I Wanna Be Na Nah Na Nah Nah - Tessa Mitchell
It's called, I Wanna Be Na Nah Na Nah Nah, and it's the title of a new play painting a picture of how the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby used to be. But it's not just any ordinary play, where you sit in a theatre watching actors on-stage. It's part of the Auckland's Fringe Festival and is a collaboration between theatre maker Stephen Bain, personality Dave Fane (and writer and actor Tessa Mitchell. Tessa explains just why this play is so different
2:30 NZ Reading - The Thrill Of Falling #3
At school in Wellington, Little-Tu meets Thierry, whose father Jean-Luc runs a gym, and discovers he has a strong hidden inner musculature. Koro comes to visit and tells him to be his own navigator in his search to find the spirit of Tupaea within himself
2:45 Feature album
Freedom - Neil Young - (1989)
3:10 Online with Paul Brislen
The Cloud. Paul talks about what it is (marketing) and what it isn't (the answer to everything)
BYODs (bring your own devices) at school and the controversy around parents paying for devices
Windows 10. Why it's a big deal for Microsoft
3:30 Saturation Divers
Ever heard of the term aquanaut? There are as few as 100 New Zealanders working as aquanauts around the globe, maintaining deep-sea oil wells and pipelines in the most extreme conditions. Lynda Chanwai-Earle investigates the working life of our saturation divers
New Zealand Society
3:45 The Panel Pre-Show
With Jim Mora, Julie Moffett, Andrew Clay and Linda Clark
===4:06 PM. | The Panel===
=DESCRIPTION=
An hour of discussion featuring a range of panellists from right along the opinion spectrum (RNZ)
=AUDIO=
15:46
The Panel pre-show for 4 February 2015
BODY:
Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel.
Topics:
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Duration: 13'54"
16:06
The Panel with Andrew Clay and Linda Clark (Part 1)
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Topics - the latest terrible news from the middle east - Islamic State releasing the video showing the young Jordanian F-16 pilot being burnt alive in a cage, Mouath al-Kasaesbeh. 'Three-parent babies' now legal in Britain. The creation of IVF babies with DNA from three different people. The controversial technique of mitochondrial donation. Return to the $65 parking fines for overstaying your welcome at Wilsons and Tournament car parks.
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Duration: 26'33"
16:37
The Panel with Andrew Clay and Linda Clark (Part 2)
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Topics - Scott Adams attacks science. NZ parents are bridling as the new year's notices come home with their children from local schools. A Wainuiomata driver caught by the same speed camera seven times in a month. He wasn't deterred because the first of the tickets didn't arrive in the mail until he'd committed the seventh offence. Graham Bell was on TP the other afternoon lamenting the return of politicians every year and attendant news coverage.
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Duration: 23'32"
=SHOW NOTES=
===5:00 PM. | Checkpoint===
=DESCRIPTION=
Radio New Zealand's two-hour news and current affairs programme
=AUDIO=
17:00
Checkpoint Top Stories for Wednesday 4 February 2015
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Two major fires have forced evacuations of homes, schools and a nursery in Christchurch and rural Canterbury this afternoon. In Jordan there's been a swift response to the grisly killing of one of its fighter pilots who was shown being burnt alive by Islamic State in a graphic video. The Reserve Bank is ruling out a cut in interest rates for now, with its governor, Graeme Wheeler reiterating that the cost of borrowing is on hold for some time.
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Duration: 21'07"
17:09
Houses evacuated as two major fires break out in Canterbury
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Two major fires have forced evacuations of homes, schools and a nursery in Christchurch and rural Canterbury this afternoon.
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Regions: Canterbury
Tags: fires
Duration: 8'12"
17:17
Jordan begins earth-shattering revenge
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In Jordan there's been a swift response to the grisly killing of one of its fighter pilots who was shown being burnt alive by Islamic State in a graphic video.
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Tags: Islamic State, Jordan
Duration: 8'37"
17:26
RBNZ rules out OCR cut
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The Reserve Bank is ruling out a cut in interest rates for now, with its governor, Graeme Wheeler reiterating that the cost of borrowing is on hold for some time.
Topics: business, economy
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Tags: Reserve Bank, cash rate, jobs
Duration: 4'18"
17:34
Today's market update
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The New Zealand dollar is nearly two US cents higher than this time yesterday after trading a wild more than 2-and-a-half cent range in the last 24 hours.
Topics: business, economy
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Tags: markets
Duration: 2'25"
17:37
Report backs Ports of Auckland view on need to expand
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A warning tonight that Ports of Auckland will need to expand within 20 years or it will lose business to competing ports.
Topics: business
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: Ports of Auckland, shipping
Duration: 3'33"
17:42
Jordan promises revenge over pilot death
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The Jordanian government is promising what it calls an earth-shaking response to avenge the murder of one of its air force pilots by Islamic State extremists and is about to start executing IS prisoners.
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Tags: Islamic State, Jordan
Duration: 4'05"
17:47
Auckland Council apologises to people locked in on Mt Eden
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Auckland Council is apologising to a group of people who were locked in on Mt Eden last night.
Topics: politics
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: Auckland Council
Duration: 5'42"
17:54
Gilberthorpe School's Penny Osborne
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among those evacuated is the board chair of Gilberthorpe School Penny Osborne.
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Regions: Canterbury
Tags: fires
Duration: 3'22"
17:57
Strategy to tap into cultural edge
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An economic strategy launched today is being described as radical and revolutionary in its approach to tackling the issues of poverty and deprivation that effect many of Northland's Māori.
Topics: economy, business, te ao Māori, life and society
Regions: Northland
Tags: Te Tai Tokerau, Māori economy, land use
Duration: 3'07"
18:08
Sports News for 4 February 2015
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An update from the team at RNZ Sport.
Topics: sport
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Duration: 2'53"
18:12
Latest on the fire at Cust
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30 to 40 homes have been evacuated in Christchurch in the face of a scrub fire that threatened two schools in Hei Hei.
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Regions: Canterbury
Tags: fires
Duration: 4'36"
18:25
Sir Nicholas Houghton 'not here to push for NZ to fight in Iraq'
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The day after the British foreign secretary urged New Zealand to help the fight against Islamic State, talks are taking place between the two countries' defence chiefs.
Topics: politics, defence force
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Tags: Islamic State
Duration: 5'13"
18:35
Report says Ports of Auckland needs to expand or lose business
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A warning tonight that Ports of Auckland will need to expand within 20 years or it will lose business to competing ports.
Topics: politics
Regions: Auckland Region
Tags: jobs, ports
Duration: 4'48"
18:40
Harper Lee's new book
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An unpublished novel by Harper Lee, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of To Kill A Mocking Bird is finally to see the light of day.
Topics: books
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Tags: Harper Lee, To Kill A Mocking Bird
Duration: 6'24"
18:51
Te Manu Korihi News for 4 February 2015
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An economic strategy launched today is being described as radical and revolutionary in its approach to tackle the issues of poverty and deprivation that effect many of Northland Māori; A group of Māori environmental campaigners opposing oil drilling says that lobbying the government to stop the practice won't happen, so it plans to deliver another message to politicians at Waitangi; A Reo Māori expert says a study that's found the language is losing words much faster than other Pacific mita, with bigger populations, has no value.
Topics: te ao Māori
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Duration: 3'00"
18:55
Sebastian Coe looking for support in NZ
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The British athletics legend, Lord Sebastian Coe, is in New Zealand today meeting with sport officials six months out from the IAAF's presidential elections.
Topics: sport
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Tags: Olympics, Sebastian Coe
Duration: 3'42"
=SHOW NOTES=
===7:06 PM. | Nights===
=DESCRIPTION=
Entertainment and information, including: 7:30 Spectrum: People, places and events in NZ (RNZ) 8:13 Windows on the World: International public radio features and documentaries 9:06 Wednesday Drama: Children of the Poor, by Mervyn Thompson A dramatisation of John A Lee's compelling novel about a family living in poverty. Albany Porcello is one of three children brought up alone by their mother in the dark days of NZ before the welfare state (F, RNZ)
=AUDIO=
19:10
Higher and fitter
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Whether playing at a higher altitudes has a quantifiable impact upon the fitness of soccer athletes. With A. Prof Rob Aughey from the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living at Victoria University.
Topics: sport, science
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Duration: 21'51"
20:42
England
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Formerly of RNZ's Morning Report team, breakfast producer at BBC Radio Cumbria Willy Flockton reports from the country of England, which is part of the United Kingdom, pop. 53,012,456 (est. 2011). There is less than 100 days to go to the next general election, and it's too hard to call on who has the majority; has Prime Minister David Cameron already broken his promises to Scotland; the fight is on to get the USA to overturn their ban on haggis; should the North of England turn its back on its own accents; plus the scourge of English streets - mobility scooters.
EXTENDED BODY:
There is less than 100 days to go to the next general election, and it's too hard to call on who has the majority; has Prime Minister David Cameron already broken his promises to Scotland; the fight is on to get the USA to overturn their ban on haggis; should the North of England turn its back on its own accents; plus the scourge of English streets - mobility scooters.
Formerly of Radio New Zealand's Morning Report team, breakfast producer at BBC Radio Cumbria Willy Flockton reports from the country of England, which is part of the United Kingdom, pop. 53,012,456 (est. 2011).
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Tags: UK
Duration: 17'27"
=SHOW NOTES=
7:10 Higher and fitter
Whether playing at a higher altitudes has a quantifiable impact upon the fitness of soccer athletes. With A. Prof Rob Aughey from the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living at Victoria University.
7:30 Spectrum
People, places and events in New Zealand.
8:10 Windows on the World
International public radio documentaries - visit the Windows on the World web page to find links to these documentaries.
8:40 England
Formerly of RNZ's Morning Report team, breakfast producer at BBC Radio Cumbria Willy Flockton reports from the country of England, which is part of the United Kingdom, pop. 53,012,456 (est. 2011). There is less than 100 days to go to the next general election, and it's too hard to call on who has the majority; has Prime Minister David Cameron already broken his promises to Scotland; the fight is on to get the USA to overturn their ban on haggis; should the North of England turn its back on its own accents; plus the scourge of English streets - mobility scooters.
9:06 The Wednesday Drama: 'Children of the Poor', by Mervyn Thompson
A dramatisation of John A Lee's compelling novel about a family living in poverty. Albany Porcello is one of three children brought up alone by their mother in the dark days of New Zealand before the welfare state (F, RNZ)
10:00 Late Edition
A review of the news from Morning Report, Nine to Noon, Afternoons and Checkpoint. Also hear the latest news from around the Pacific on Radio New Zealand International's Dateline Pacific.
11:06 100 Years Of Jazz Guitar
===10:00 PM. | Late Edition===
=DESCRIPTION=
Radio New Zealand news, including Dateline Pacific and the day's best interviews from Radio New Zealand National
===11:06 PM. | None (National)===
=DESCRIPTION=