Saturday Morning for Saturday 19 August 2023

8.10 Barrie Rice: We Were Blackwater

The aftermath of the 2003 Iraq invasion is told by former New Zealand SAS soldier Barrie Rice in his book We Were Blackwater - Life, death and madness in the killing fields of Iraq.

Here he recalls lucrative private security contracts, on what soldiers call "the circuit"; the ambush of the Blackwater security convoy in Fallujah, and living with PTSD.

Rice has worked as a military advisor on films including The Hurt Locker, and Zero Dark 30.

 

 

9.05 Virginia Sole-Smith: Fat Talk

In her new book Fat Talk: Coming of Age in Diet Culture, US journalist, author and podcaster Virginia Sole-Smith looks at how the war on childhood obesity has caused children of all ages to absorb an onslaught of body shame from peers, diet culture, and their own parents.

Sole-Smith challenges traditional narratives on healthy eating and body weight, offering up research and strategies to help parents name and navigate the bias that exists in schools, doctors' offices and the family dinner table.

 

9:35 Tom Kay: let the river go with the flow

Rivers have been given room to flood safely in the Netherlands for two decades, mitigating against flooding during severe weather events.

Forest and Bird freshwater advocate Tom Kay is touring the country, giving Making Room for Rivers presentations to communities and local government groups keen to hear how accommodating a river prone to flood (rather than hem it in with engineering) can help manage flood risk for communities, and preserve ecosystems.

 

10.05 From cage fighter to writer: Airana Ngarewa 

Airana Ngarewa left school to become a cage fighter. He hated English. Now a teacher, he's being described as a major new literary talent. His first novel is The Bone Tree.

Born and raised in Patea, his aunts are Spotswood College principal Nicola Ngarewa, and Te Pāti Māori co-leader MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. 

Airana will be appearing at WORD Christchurch on Aug 26 and 27.

 

10.35 Richard von Sturmer: a year walking and dreaming in the Waikato

A travel guide like no other, combining poetry, photos and history, Walking with Rocks - Dreaming with Rivers - My Year in the Waikato is the result of Richard von Sturmer's year as writer in residence at the University of Waikato in 2020.

An artist, poet, playwright, film maker and musician, Richard wrote one of New Zealand's best known alternative anthems There is No Depression in New Zealand, performed by Blam Blam Blam.

 

11.05: Playing favourites with When The Cat's Away

When the Cat's Away is reuniting at Auckland Town Hall for a one night special on October 1st to celebrate and farewell their friend and fellow band mate Margaret Urlich, who died last year.

It's the first time the band has played together in 33 years. The show has already sold out at the Auckland Town Hall. For those who missed out, Debbie Harwood, Dianne Swann and Kim Willoughby play their favourite tracks.

 

Books featured on this show:

We Were Blackwater - Life, death and madness in the killing fields of Iraq
By Barrie Rice
Published by Biteback Publishing
ISBN: 9781785908309

Fat Talk - Coming of age in diet culture
By Virginia Sole-Smith
Published by Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781804183106

The Bone Tree
by Airana Ngarewa
Published by Moa Books
IBSN: 9781869715007

Walking with Rocks - Dreaming with Rivers - My Year in the Waikato
by Richard von Sturmer
Published by Titus Books
IBSN: 9781738594504

Music played in this show

Song: Paikea
Artist: Patea Maori Club
Time played: 10:30

Song: There is No Depression in New Zealand
Artist: Blam Blam Blam
Time played: 10:35

SONG: Venus
ARTIST: Floral Clocks
Time Played: 10:56

Playing Favourites with When the Cat's Away

Song: Melting Pot
Artist: When the Cat's Away
Time played: 11:10

Song: Blue Water
Artist: Debbie Harwood
Time played: 11:30

Song: I Got Better Friends Now
Artist: Lexxa
Time Played: 11:40

Song: Boom Boom Mancini
Artist: Give It a Rest
Time Played: 11:45

Song:God Bless the Child
Artist: Margaret Urlich
Time played: 11:56