On today’s show, Mihi and Susie are broadcasting live from the home of WORD Christchurch at Ōtautahi's Tūranga library. 7:00 - 8:00 News of the week The latest news, sports and current affairs from the week. 8:10 Native plants and story-telling Juanita Hepi wants people to rediscover the power of plants. A multidisciplinary artist, Juanita is running a Word Christchurch session in the form of a walking tour called Ki Uta Ki Tai – Native Plants of Ōtautahi, where she shares the significance of local botanicals. She'll also answer your questions. Text 2101 or email saturday@rnz.co.nz. 8:25 Gallantry star: SAS Commander Jamie Pennell Former SAS commander Jamie Pennell recounts his experiences in Afghanistan in his memoir, Serviceman J, detailing life in one of the world's elite military forces and the transition to civilian life afterwards. In 2011, his response to the Taliban's siege of Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel saved many lives and earned him New Zealand's second highest military honour, the New Zealand Gallantry Star. After his military career, Jamie transitioned to working with high-performance athletes. He now serves as the Head of Mangatawhiri Campus at Dilworth School, where he leads the outdoor education programme, Te Haerenga (The Journey), preparing young men with vital life skills. He sat down with Susie Ferguson to share his story. 9:07 Vincent O'Malley reflects on Kiingi Tuuheitia Historian Vincent O'Malley has gained recognition for his extensive research and publications on the Waikato Wars and the Kiingitanga. Following his significant contribution with The Great War for New Zealand, Waikato, he has just released a new contribution with The Invasion of Waikato, Te Riri ki Tainui. Vincent O'Malley joins Mihi to reflect on his relationship with Waikato and Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero. 9:25 What should our cities look like? New Zealand's urban development is rooted in the quarter acre section - a single home on large section. More recently, as what we do with our leisure time has changed, there's been a swing to large homes on small sections and to apartment living. Natural disasters, climate change and a housing shortage have given us pause to think about how we want our cities to develop. New book Urban Aotearoa: The Future for Our Cities explores the evolution of our urban areas and what they could look like. Urban planner David Batchelor, Professor of Architecture Anthony Hoete, and Otautahi social researcher Jane Higgins, join Mihi Forbes to discuss their ambitions for urban development. 9:50 Kiran Dass has the last word on WORD Kiran Dass is a trusted book critic, writer, and judge of some of New Zealand's most prestigious book awards. She's also the Programme Lead at WORD Christchurch and joins Mihi and Susie to talk about this years festival highlights. 10:05 Kate Atkinson: playing detective One of the worlds foremost novelists, Kate Atkinson is back with the newest edition of her beloved Jackson Brodie series, Death At The Sign Of The Rook. She first won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year Award with her debut novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum - beating authors including Salman Rushdie, to that year's prize. It was the first of many awards for her and has lead to several TV adaptions. She spoke to Susie Ferguson about what goes into a cosy crime novel. 10:35 Dad's Day brunch with Matt Heath Matt Heath is an actor, radio host, sports commentator and columnist and earlier this year released his book A Life Less Punishing - a witty guide to mastering emotions and making life better. Matt's also hosting a Dad's Day brunch at WORD Christchurch. 11:05 A woven legacy Kahutoi Te Kanawa is co-director of a new textile research centre at Tamaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial museum. She was born into a weaving legacy. Her grandmother Dame Rangimarie Hetet lead the revival of weaving alongside Dame Whina Cooper, and her late mother, Diggeress Te Kanawa was a prominent tohunga raranga - expert weaver, whose art pieces are on exhibition around the country. Kahutoi is also an artist and weaver and joins Mihi to discuss her craft. 11:25 Live music with Amiria Grenell Award-winning folk singer-songwriter Amiria Grenell plays live at Tūranga. Amiria grew up in rural Canterbury where her family famously hosted decades of music festivals in their back paddocks. She's the daughter of late much-loved country musician John Grenell. Amiria and her brothers are currently planning The John Grenell Family Tribute Show to celebrate the life and music of their dad. 11:30 Risk taker: Anke Richter According to Anke Richter 'risk taker' is her middle name. That's why she was invited to share the moments that altered the course of her life on WORD Christchurch panel Risky Women. Author, reporter and cult researcher Cantabrian Anke Richter is involved in the planning of Decult 2024, New Zealand's first conference dedicated to tackling the harm cults cause. It's estimated tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been impacted by cults or high-control groups still operating in Aotearoa. Books in this week's show: Serviceman J By Jamie Pennell Published by Harper Collins Urban Aotearoa - the future of our cities Edited by David Batchelor and Bill McKay Published by Bateman Books Death at the Sign of the Rook By Kate Atkinson Published by Penguin Random House [Radio New Zealand, Saturday 31 August 2024, 07:24:08]

Presented by Susie Ferguson and Mihingarangi Forbes. In-depth feature interviews, current affairs and news across a broad range of topics on RNZ National and online. Executive Producer Melanie Phipps.