Afternoons
Episodes
The pre-Panel: Your daily slice of sense and nonsense
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they p...
Why clutter isn't just an issue of tidiness
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us have a pile we keep promising we'll sort out, or a stack of books no one will ever read but we refuse to part with. Clutter isn't always ab...
Easy Eats: Sticky gochujang chicken thighs with coconut rice
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Gibney shares a recipe that is delicious to make and won't take all night. This week it's sticky gochujang chicken thighs with coconut rice.
Bookmarks with Chelsie Preston-Crayford!
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week Jesse is joined by actress, writer, and now feature-film director, Chelsie Preston-Crayford.
Heading Off to the Pacific Crest Trail
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today for heading off we're joined by Peter Coldicott who - with his son - spent almost 6 months walking the entire thing.
Stories from The Kakapo Files II
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, producer Alison Ballance reveals more about four adult kakapo. Their stories come to us from three rangers starting with Jess ...
Why a marine ecologist says fish farming systems are vital
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here on Afternoons we like to celebrate New Zealanders doing great things all the time, but this week we're turning our attention to the finalists for...
Why is there such inflexibility with some rugby rules?
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of rugby's top playmakers, Richie Mo'unga will not be eligible for All Blacks selection until later this year, ruling him out of the upcoming hist...
The Kiwis behind an award-winning pasta
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Monty & Sons Radiatori Pasta was last night named Supreme Winner at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards.
Christchurch is having a moment: Why?
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Reuben Woods is creative director and lead tour guide for Watch This Space, showcasing the city's street art. He chats to Jesse.
The pre-Panel: Daily Dose of Giggles
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The little show that can! Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan take on the big, and not so big issues as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel.
Why forgiveness is actually good for you, and others!
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We usually think of forgiveness as something personal between the person who was hurt and the person who caused the hurt. But research done here in Ne...
Songs for a roadie!
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a song you like to turn up loudly and sing like no one is listening? Well we want to hear about it .. we've got new segment called Songs f...
You're the Judge: Can my husband afford to be picky?
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tuesdays are when we play You're the Judge: our weekly segment when we put an issue to you, our audience, and get your help trying to solve it. This w...
Podcast Critic: Amanda Knox's take on the case of Lucy Letby
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Afternoons podcast critic, and RNZ's National Head of Content Ali Ventura joins us to share what she's been listening to.
Book Critic: Celebrating self-published books
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Afternoons book critic Catherine Robertson is with Jesse to share what she's been enjoying: The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening (e-book)...
Mayoral Minutes with Waitomo District Mayor John Robertson
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're heading to the Waitomo District, located in the south-western part of the Waikato region in the North Island, from where Mayor John Ro...
Celebrating New Zealanders doing awesome things
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
That's because as part of the Science New Zealand Awards, four innovative Kiwi scientists have been named finalists for this year's Lifetime Achieveme...
Celebrating New Zealanders doing awesome things
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
That's because as part of the Science New Zealand Awards, four innovative Kiwi scientists have been named finalists for this year's Lifetime Achieveme...
Calling all Kirstys! The 12 year old on a global mission
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kirsty Waugh is a 12-year-old girl from Kent, England, who's turned a tough diagnosis into a global mission After being diagnosed with a benign brain ...
How often does an asteroid nearly hit earth?
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's a headline that grabbed our attention today - "An asteroid discovered days ago will narrowly miss Earth" The asteroid, roughly the size of one ...
Explainer on the proposed public service changes
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This afternoon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis is delivering her pre-Budget speech, where she will set out three proposals to create efficiencies in p...
The pre-Panel: Daily dose of giggles
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan take on the big, and not so big issues as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel.
Feature: Why weight loss goes well beyond metabolism
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If weight loss were just about willpower, we wouldn't be watching a boom in appetite-suppressing GLP-1 drugs and the pharmaceutical giants racing to c...
TV Critic: Two new shows starring Michelle Pfieffer
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about what's good to watch on the smaller screen, The Hui journalist Ruwani Perera joins me to share what she's been enjoying. 'Margot's Go...
Expert Feature: Everything you want to know about perfume!
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Francesco van Eerd is a Wellington-based perfumer and founder of Fragrifert Parfumeur. He joins Jesse.
Jesse Goes Clubbing: Paekakaeiki Speak Easy
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every Monday Jesse hits the clubs. Do get in touch if you've got a club or society he should join for the day. Text us on 2101 or email us afternoons@...
OZ Update: What's happening in Australia?
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A coronial inquest into the death of a 95-year-old grandmother, the New Zealander who's won Australia's Archibald Prize and the latest in sport.
Why Amanjot Singh's award-winning speech has people talking
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Amanjot Singh became the 2026 National Champion at the Race Unity Speech Awards last weekend. His speech focused on the racism he has experienced grow...
How NZ On Screen is making homegrown content more accessible!
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse is joined by NZ On Screen Executive Director Stephanie Hopkins.
Why do tourists misbehave when they are away from home?
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Travel writer from Blogger At Large Megan Singleton joins Jesse to discuss her experiences.
How to combat rising food price
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Jesse to discuss rising food prices and more is Chief Economist at Simplicity, Shamubeel Eaqub.
The pre-Panel: Your daily slice of sense and nonsense
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they p...
Critter of the Week: Chatham Roughy Octopus
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
NZ octopuses have a reputation: stealing GoPros, climbing onto boats, even escaping aquariums. But one of our most mysterious species, the Chatham Rou...
Weekend Stuff: How to deal with the most disliked chore ever!
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rachael Quinn from The Housekeeper talks Jesse through the most efficient way of cleaning your oven. [picture id="4MT6JOX_copyright_image_231020" cro...
Food: Fallen Chocolate Macadamia Cake
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Martin Bosley from Yellow Brick Road joins Jesse to share a recipe for a divine sounding chocolate cake. [picture id="4JOLI4O_Martin_Bosley_Recipe_Fa...
Film Review: Caterpillar and Mother Mary
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Afternoons Film Critic Kate Rodger is with Jesse to review Mother Mary and Caterpillar.
What's on this Weekend?
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We do a quick whip around the country to highlight some of the events on this weekend Lots of comedy options thanks to the International NZ Comedy Fes...
Freaky Friday
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your chance to share the unexplainable! We've had ghost encounters, UFO sightings, people hearing voices. If you've got a spooky story we'd love to he...
Is having a 5% party vote threshold outdated thinking?
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Monday's show, Bryce Edwards from The Democracy Project joined us to discuss The Opportunity Party. He said one of the biggest challenges smaller p...
Celebrating Pasifika traditions with a new local show
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Weddings and funerals are two of the biggest life events for most of us, but it all gets taken up a notch in Pacific cultures. A new TVNZ show '400 We...
Why New Zealand's banking industry needs a shake up
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Banking reform activist Kent Duston says he plans to nominate Roger Beaumont, the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Banking Association, for Australi...
The pre-Panel: Your daily slice of sense and nonsense
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they p...
A good news business story!
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A couple of years ago we spoke with Grant Leach from the Vertical Farming company 26 Seasons At the time they were growing strawberries in Foxton and ...
Are you making the most of bank deposit insurance?
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mary Holm joins Jesse to talk about personal finance, this week she's asking whether you making the most of bank deposit insurance? Mary discusses: Wh...
NZ Sport History with Rob Waddell
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Time for NZ Sport History where we revisit some of the great names and moments in New Zealand sport. This week we're joined by an Olympic gold medalli...
Relationships
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to talk relationships because no matter if it is friends, colleagues, partners or family members, relationship troubles are everywhere! Jess...
Political Group Chat: A chance to debate the big issues
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Afternoons' first convening of the politics group chat - a chance for three interesting people to say what they're thinking out loud. Joini...
The award-winning book showing off NZ flowers in full bloom
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
He Puawai, A Natural History of New Zealand Flowers by Emeritus Professor of Botany Philip Garnock Jones won the Judith Binney Prize for Illustrated N...
Have we found New Zealand's longest running book club?
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
During yesterday's show we spoke about book clubs, that led Karen to get in touch about her club, which has been running since 1972. That's 54 years o...
Explainer: How does homeschooling work?
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Home schooling is in the headlines today after the New Zealand Herald revealed that the Ministry of Education granted Marokopa father Tom Phillips per...
The Pre-Panel for 13 May 2026
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they p...
Catastrophe Bonds - Would you bet on a disaster?
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Extreme weather keeps getting more extreme. Once-in-a-century flooding is starting to feel routine here, while wildfires and major disasters devastate...
Easy Eats: Chorizo, white bean and spinach soup
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wednesday is Easy Eats, a chance for us to share a recipe that tastes delicious and doesn't take forever to make. This week Kelly Gibney shares her re...
Heading Off to Yunnan in China
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Heading Off is our weekly travel segment where we go on adventures. We'd love to hear from you if you've got a travel yarn you'd like to share - text ...
Stories from Our Changing World
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Concannon, host of Our Changing World joins Jesse. [picture id="4JOT0LJ_Huhu_A3_2_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]
Everything you want to know about our brains
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Richard Faull is one of New Zealand's most respected neuroscientists, he's well known for his work on diseases like Huntington's, Parkinson's & Al...
Hunters Gold - the TV show that helped launch careers!
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hunters Gold was a 1970s children's TV show, which seems to have come along at a seminal moment in New Zealand screen history At the time of its launc...
Another festival farewell, What is happening to NZ culture?
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Others Way Festival, one of New Zealand's independent music festivals won't be back next year, and organisers say there are no plans for it to ret...
Should the age of superannuation be raised?
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
National has confirmed it will campaign on lifting the retirement age, with leader Christopher Luxon saying the current system is "unworkable and unaf...
The pre-Panel: A slice of sense and nonsense
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they p...
Opinion: Why Australia's ban on social media won't work
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's ban on social media for anyone under 16 isn't working. It's not even close says world renowned behavioral economist and Harvard Law School...
Tech Tuesday with Tim Batt
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Batt is with Jesse to talk about what's been happening in the world of technology; today he'll bring us up to speed on a local data breach and why...
Book Critic: Three books about self-described losers
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Afternoons book critic Lisa Glass joins Jesse to share her thoughts on the following books: Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte Eurotrash by Christian Krac...
Mayoral Minutes: Gisborne's Mayor Rehette Stolz
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for Mayoral minutes, each week we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing how they're working to solve them and what ma...
New ADHD research challenges current thinking on the condition
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A recently published study from West China Hospital and Monash University has the potential to upend our understanding of ADHD For decades ADHD has be...
How to make small business thrive rather than fail
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time in almost 15 years there are more business deaths than births here in Aotearoa New Zealand. And of those business failures, the vas...
Toha Network: A biodiversity credit scheme in action
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
David Hill is the co-founder and Executive Director at a startup called Toha Network. In October 2024 they launched an environmental restoration proje...
Explainer: What are "nature credits" and why does NZ need them?
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This morning the Government announced it's changing the law to prevent companies from being sued over climate change related harm caused by green hous...
The pre-Panel
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will always make you smile as they previ...
Feature Interview: Is your life dictated by numbers?
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Life can start to feel like a numbers game with everyone chasing likes and followers, and productivity stats that measure our steps. It seems like the...
TV Critic: The Newsreader and The Miniature Wife
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Afternoons TV critic Caitlin Cherry shares what she's been watching: The Newsreader (Netflix) The Miniature Wife (TVNZ+). [picture id="4JOSNOU_the_ne...
Expert Feature: We try to answer all your questions on tenancy
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for our expert feature where we tackle a topic and put your questions to the people who know it best Today we're talking about a relatively ...
OZ Update: What's happening in Australia?
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every Monday we head across the Tasman to discuss the big stories with our correspondent Brad Foster. [picture id="4JOZLU7_AFP__20180831__18Q8D1__v...
Lorin Clarke on her father John Clarke's legacy
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
May in New Zealand means comedy, the NZ International Comedy Festival kicked off in the weekend and is running until the end of this month. And this y...
Are magazines still important in 2026?
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As many of you know well. when times are tough, often it's subscriptions that are the first thing to go, whether that's to streaming platforms or maga...
Politics: What does The Opportunity Party stand for in 2026?
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Over the weekend in the UK local elections, the big winners were the populist and smaller parties - with the anti-immigration Reform UK and the Green ...
Critter of the Week: The Royal Spoonbill
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every Friday Nicola Toki and Jesse chat about an endangered species. This week they're turning their attention to the Royal Spoonbill or Kotuku-Ngutup...
Weekend Stuff - DIY with Stan Scott
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Fridays we talk about the stuff we fill our weekends with, today we've got our favourite DIY friend, Stan Scott from Mitre 10. Stan is currently la...
Food: Cottage Pie with a Parsnip & Potato Dauphinoise Top
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Friday means food here on Afternoons, today we've got Olivia Galletly also known as The Hungry Cook here to share a recipe with us: Cottage Pie with a...
Film Review: Mortal Kombat II
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Afternoons Film Critic Dominic Corry is here to share what he's been watching at the movies: Mortal Kombat II, new in theatres this week. The Great Ar...
Jack Tame on why so many Kiwis are leaving for Australia
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Approximately 73 thousand Kiwis left New Zealand in the past year, and over half of those moved to Australia. Indeed it seems like every day there is ...
Why honey bees might be harming our native trees
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Honey bees might technically be an introduced species but despite that, we think it's fair to say we generally see them as a good thing. They're the e...
Explainer: Why we should be keeping an eye on the UK election
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In England voting has closed in one of the largest council elections in years. There are around 5,000 council seats up for grabs, and over 25,000 peop...
The pre-Panel for 7 May 2026
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will always make you smile as they previ...
Group Chat: Amisfield, theatre etiquette and Madonna
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every second Thursday we have group chat: a chance to talk about the stories that might not make the news bulletins but do fill up your social media f...
History with Dr Grant Morris
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to talk history with Dr Grant Morris and today he's looking at whether NZ was the most Scottish place, outside of Scotland. during colonial ...
Solving the World's Problems: Wellington's Woes
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Let's try to solve some of the world's problems now, it might sound ambitious but every second Thursday for ten minutes or so we do our best to right ...
NZ Sporting History: Lawn Bowls Legend, Peter Belliss
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Time for NZ Sporting History, and today we're with local lawn bowls great Peter Belliss. Born and raised in Whanganui, Peter was one of the first true...
How much would you pay for a good night's sleep?
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How much would you pay for a good night's sleep? I'm asking because a thing called sleep tourism is becoming a huge and huge money-making industry. A ...
The Wellington Students attempting to go plastic free
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Plastic seems to be everywhere, in everything, and possibly even in every one of us when it comes to micro plastics. While we imagine many of you do y...
Is there a "quiet crisis" in community sports?
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
According to Chris Tremain, there just aren't enough volunteers to keep things running in community sports and as a result kids are missing out. Forme...
What exactly is hantavirus and how worried should we be?
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
An outbreak of the deadly hantavirus has led to an ocean cruise turning into a nightmare. Three passengers of the cruise ship MV Hondius have died, on...
The Pre-Panel for Wednesday 6 May
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's the little show that can: ten minutes of sense and nonsense with Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan, whether it makes you smile, or grimace, it'l...
Should women reject the idea of having it all?
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A decade ago, women were told to lean in, to chase the promotion, own ambition and grab a seat at the table. But lately, more women are hitting pause ...
Easy Eats: Herb and Lemon Crumbed Beef Schnitzel
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Gibney joins Jesse to share this week's Easy Eats recipe, herb and lemon crumbed beef schnitzel with beetroot and carrot salad.
Heading Off to Bulgaria!
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Time for our weekly travel segment, Heading Off. Each Wednesday after two pm, we chat to someone who's been travelling and get a chance to learn all a...
Stories from the Kakapo Files
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Time now for the Kakapo Files, where the kakapo chicks are growing up fast and starting to leave home, which comes with risks. A couple of weeks ago o...
A new local magazine that's celebrating all things music
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
At the Taite Music Prize awards the Outstanding Music Journalism Award went to Rosa Nevison, Flynn Robson, and Sam Elliott for their new magazine call...
How you can see the rare comet crossing New Zealand's sky
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past week, stargazers have been craning their necks to see a rare comet crossing the New Zealand sky. We thought we'd better talk about this ...