Afternoons

Game On! What is going on with NZ sport and governance?

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A power struggle looks to be brewing at NZ Cricket over the future of the domestic game. NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink is understood to be ...

On the up! Reaction to the latest tourism numbers

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're going to start the show with some good news because the latest visitor stats are out and it's looking positive for Kiwi tourist operators. Stats...

Is laser eye surgery really all it's cracked up to be?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When filmmaker Dana Conroy's doctor suggested laser eye surgery, or LASIK, to correct her nearsightedness, it seemed like a good idea. With success ra...

Update on Oz with Brad Foster

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's find out what's happening in Australia, our man on the ground there is Brad Foster and he joins Jesse. Today he'll talk about the bushfires, why...

Book Critic: Some top picks for the holidays

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our critic Catherine Robertson has got some cracking recommendations for you Clown Town by Mick Herron (Baskerville) It's Been Six Weeks Since My Last...

What exactly is going on with the WBD acquisition?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What do you get when you combine three huge companies, billionaires and the US President? The fascinating story of the attempts to acquire Warner Brot...

Should we care that NZ is falling in Global GDP Ranking?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

But we've gone from being in the top seven, to 36th in GDP ranking, with countries like Czech Republic, Lithuania and Slovenia surpassing us. So what ...

Crime against food: A deep dive into NZ's worst recipes

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One small request led to dozens and dozens of emails, so it seems that a bad meal sticks in your memory much like a bad smell. We've invited Steve Bra...

Explainer: What the Resource Management Act should do

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Now we don't know about you, but the words Resource Management Act, are quite hard to get enthused about. But we want to be enthused, because we know ...

Feature: A guide to good food - and why you need it

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

These days it feels like there have never been more wrong ways to eat right. Everywhere you turn there's a new rule, a new label, or some flashy food ...

Expert Feature: Everything you need to know about space

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're delving into the great unknown, space, the final frontier. So, if there's anything you've always wanted to know about outer space, rockets...

Jesse Goes Clubbing!

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Monday is club day here at Afternoons because my team is determined that I go clubbing. So if you have a club you'd like me to join for the day please...

Television Critic: What's good on the small screen

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time to talk about what's good to watch on the small screen now - our critic Philippa Rennie joins me to share her top picks. Dead Ahead (TVNZ) Boots ...

Quirky collectibles: Find out about a 10-million-year-old crab

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the years, Christine Fernyhough has built an extraordinary private collection of New Zealand objects, spanning everything from the 1860s through ...

What does globalisation mean in 2025?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week some of the world's most influential economists gathered for the University of Auckland's inaugural International Economics Workshop. Much w...

Ring your bell! What is electric bike etiquette

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Morning Report, there was an interview about electric bikes on the Timber Trail, which led to many listeners giving feedback about electric b...

It's hot! So hot! Is this the new normal?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Summer has well and truly arrived, with the heat a big topic of conversation in the RNZ office. MetService has issued a heat alert for Hawke's Bay war...

Food: Caramelised Onion Sausage Roll Wreath

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time to talk food and today we're joined by Alix Mahy, who's behind One Hand Stirring, a one stop shop for family, and budget, friendly recipes. Her r...

Film Review: Zooptopia 2 and Nuremberg

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Film critic Kate Rodger joins Jesse to share her take on Nuremberg and Zootopia 2.

Freaky Friday

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every week before 2pm we delve into your strangest and spookiest experiences. As always if you have one to share, drop us a message on 2101 and our pr...

Why makes a successful company stand out from the rest?

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's fair to say businesses in almost every industry, right across the country, have been doing it tough recently. Which is why it is so good to celeb...

How can we ensure our kids are safe playing sport?

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're all aware of the benefits of children playing sport; learning to work as part of a team, increasing fitness, developing self-confidence, the lis...

What's going on with property prices in Auckland?

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

House prices in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland continue to lag behind many other parts of the country Cotality has released its latest data which shows a 0....

Bringing Pixie Williams' voice back to vinyl

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Blue Smoke was first released in 1949, when it arguably made Pixie Williams New Zealand's first pop star. Now seventy seven years later, Holiday Recor...

Your Money with Mary Holm

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to talk money matters with Mary Holm now and she brings us good news on mortgages! This week's topics: 1. Official cash rate dropped again. ...

Group Chat: Chat GPT fails and weighing into Wicked

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson are in studio with Jesse to talk about all the content clogging up their group chats.

A-Z of Aotearoa: M for Maori Battalion

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson are in studio with Jesse to talk about all the content clogging up their group chats.

Sri Lanka is dealing with a disaster - how can we help?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the last few days tropical cyclones have combined with heavy monsoon rains across South Asia with devastating results. There has been severe floo...

Rating the very best of NZ TV and Film from the 2010s.

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Spinoff's Alex Casey and Tara Ward have been commissioned to curate a list of the very best New Zealand film and television from the 2010s The pai...

What is the Emissions Trading Scheme Auction?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday the final emissions trading scheme auction of the year failed to clear. That means there were no bidders for any of the carbon credits up fo...

Stories from Our Changing World

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time now to catch up with Our Changing World's Claire Concannon who has been learning about 'time use epidemiology'.

Feature interview: A Jeffrey Epstein survivor shares her story

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For a lot of people, the files the US Justice department has on convicted sex offender and millionaire Jeffery Epstein are just something to speculate...

Bookmarks with American singer songwriter Santigold

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time for bookmarks now, the feature where an interesting person shares their favourite cultural picks with us and today we're joined by American singe...

Easy Eats: Rotisserie chicken panzanella

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kelly Gibney shares her recipe for rotisserie chicken panzanella.

Heading Off: Anna Thomas on living in Timor Leste

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time for heading off, our weekly travel segment, and today we're heading to Timor Leste or East Timor as it was formally known. New Zealand has a clos...

Game On: The Kiwi game developers smashing it

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand game developers are punching well above their weight on the international stage 18 Kiwi developers from CODE - New Zealand's government-fu...

Learn why it could be time to ditch some expensive face creams!

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Vitamin C cream is popular with skin-care devotees promising to help slow signs of aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles &...

Why are so many of us driving without a WoF or Rego?

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to new data published by vehicle compliance platform Bonnet almost 50% of us are driving with an expired WoF or Rego And for vehicles that a...

Find out why school principals are leaving the role.

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A story caught our eye this morning about school principals, because according to a recent poll, our principals are leaving the job in droves. Analysi...

Feature: Ruby Tandoh digests food culture in 2025

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Food isn't just something we eat anymore. We're served up food culture all day long, whether we invite it in or not, feeding our cravings and shaping ...

Podcast Critic: The Wonder of Stevie

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Podcast Critic Elliot Childs shares his listening recommendations: Cannonball The Wonder of Stevie.

Update on Oz with Brad Foster

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's chat about what's happening in Australia and here to share the news from across the Tasman is Brad Foster. Today Brad looks at the move to exten...

Book Critic: Claire Mabey shares her picks

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's chat books now and our critic Claire Mabey has some excellent offerings - especially if you're thinking of books for Christmas: Good Things Come...

Why are we so bad at discerning sounds?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New research out of Auckland University has revealed we're really bad at discerning sounds. Sam Schwarzkopf an Associate Professor of Health Science c...

What exactly is the Queen's Chain and how can you use it?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week we had a conversation about paper roads, or as the Outdoor Access Commission prefers to call them, "unformed legal roads" and goodness me di...

What is 'ragebait' and how does it compare to other 'words of the year'?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Oxford English dictionary has announced their Word of the Year as "Ragebait" That joins Cambridge's pick "Parasocial", Collins "Vibe Coding" and D...

Explainer: Open Banking is here - so what is it exactly?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week open banking officially went live for customers of the big four banks. That's ANZ, ASB, BNZ & Westpac. If you bank elsewhere your bank might...

Director James Vanderbilt on why 'Nuremberg' had to be made

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The panic kicked in around page 40. Thirteen years ago, director and screenwriter James Vanderbilt set out to write a film about the Nuremberg trials,...

Expert Feature: We put the spotlight on wool

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for our Monday expert feature, where we choose a topic and invite an expert in to give us the ins and outs. Today we're focusing on wool. Wo...

Jesse Goes Clubbing: Hawkes Bay Racing Lawnmower Club

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Monday means it's time to hit the clubs - because we've got a new segment on the show where I chat to clubbers. So if you have a club you'd like Jesse...

Television Critic: Beast in Me and All Her Fault

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cailtin Cherry joins Jesse to review two shows: All Her Fault - TVNZ on Demand The Beast in Me - Netflix

What makes Melissa Stokes nervous? Not breaking news!

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melissa Stokes is the new lead presenter of TVNZ's flagship programme 1News at Six. She's moved from her weekend presenting role to anchor the broadca...

How an Auckland professor is tackling anaesthetic gas emissions

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we think of harmful emissions, we think it's fair to say most of us picture clogged motorways not busy hospitals. But environmental damage from a...

Drug Driving Tests: How can you test for impairment?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A couple of weeks ago we spoke to the Drug Foundation after the Government announced that Police will begin roadside drug driving tests. Police will t...

Supply versus Demand: Finding housing for our elderly

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where are you planning to live when you retire? Stay in your own home as long as possible? Move in with family maybe? Or are you keen to move into a r...

Critter of the Week: Olearia Owlet Moth

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Friday afternoon means it's time to talk about the endandgered critters that are endemic to New Zealand. This week Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nic...

Food: Mussels with Fennel, Crème fraiche and Saffron

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Bosley from Yellow Brick Road shares Skye Gyngell's delicious recipe: Mussels with Fennel, Crème fraiche and Saffron

NZ Live: Troy Kingi

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Troy Kingi joins us for NZ Live to celebrate his new album, Night Lords.

Film Review

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Corry is in our Auckland studio to talk movies, and this week he's looking at: Wake Up Dead Man - A Knives Out (new in theatres this week) Aft...

Freaky Friday

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for Freaky Friday, the space for all your weird, spooky, and strange experiences. If you have one you'd like to share please reach out via t...

NZ researcher dubbed the "Indiana Jones of microbiology"

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse spoke with Matthew Stott, a recipient of one of the University of Canterbury's 2025 Research Medals. He's been described as the "Indiana Jones o...

90-year-old attempts to break world record

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Merv Grewar proves that age is no barrier. He'll be 90 when he attempts to break a rowing world record next Saturday to raise awareness and funds for ...

Weekend Stuff: Gardening

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lynda Hallinan joins Jesse to share her gardening tips.

Tips on how to cool down

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're in for a hot weekend! Napiers on a heat alert, Christchurch and Hastings aren't far behind... Records have already been broken for hottest Novem...

Kiwi driver Liam Lawson's future

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There's a lot of suspense swirling around Formula 1 this week - especially for kiwi driver Liam Lawson. Red Bull is about to lock in its 2026 line-up,...

The pre-panel for 27 November 2025

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

History with Dr Grant Morris

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're going to talk history with Dr Grant Morris and this week he is looking at stories of the New Zealanders who have, and who do, identify as Cathol...

Solving the World's Problems with Dave Armstrong

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time now to solve some of the world's problems. Dave Armstrong is with Jesse from our Wellington studio and this week he's turning his attention to so...

NZ Sporting History: Gilbert Enoka

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's NZ Sporting History, we go behind the scenes to speak to a man who has coached many of our finest teams in mental toughness - and worke...

Relationships: Advice for those tricky moments in life

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Okay it is time to talk relationships now, whether romantic, professional or somewhere in between, Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Masse...

From cooking on the Rainbow Warrior to becoming a Buddhist Nun

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not many cookbooks - if any - are launched with a live theatre performance. But then Jade Reidy isn't your average author. Jade has not only been a pr...

National Erebus Memorial Location Revealed

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This afternoon it has been announced where the memorial to honour those killed in the Mt Erebus flight will be built. Jesse speaks to Rev Dr Richard W...

Are Australians becoming more progressive as they age?

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Sarah Cameron is a political scientist at Griffith University's School of Government and International Relations and a Chief Investigator on the Au...

Why creativity is an important as health and exercise

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We know the usual pillars of health; sleep, exercise, watch your diet and maintain social connections. Dr Daisy Fancourt says her research shows we ne...

Easy Eats: Vietnamese inspired turmeric and dill fried fish

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is Kelly Gibney's (simplified) version of Vietnamese cha ca, a dish that originated in Hanoi. Fish is marinated in curry powder, turmeric, fish s...

Heading Off: Autonomous Region of Bougainville

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Time for heading off, our weekly travel segment where we hear from you - our afternoons listeners - about some of your amazing adventures. We've trave...

Author Fleur Beale, why local stories are crucial for kids

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every year the New Zealand Society of Authors gives out the President of Honour award. The award is to recognise contributions to writing and to the N...

NZ is full of paper roads - but what are they exactly?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have 55 thousand kilometres of paper roads across New Zealand. But in our team meeting we discovered that there was confusion about what paper road...

Being a fussy eater might not be as straightforward as it seems

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A large study into avoidant and restrictive eating (which is an extreme form of picky eating) in children shows the issue is much more common than we ...

The pre-Panel for 25 November 2025

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The pre-Panel Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

Feature interview: The one and only Warren Ellis

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Interesting people make interesting music. Warren Ellis is in a class of his own. He's a composer, multi-instrumentalist and longtime creative partner...

Update on Oz with Brad Foster

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brad Foster joins Jesse to talk about the latest news from Australia. Today he is talking about Meta reacting to the social media ban for under 16-yea...

Book Critic: A self-help book for brainboxes

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Book critic Bill Hastings reviews: Lea Ypi, Indignity: A Life Reimagined (Allen Lane Penguin, 2025), Daniel Kalderimis, Zest: Climbing from Depression...

Is prison really the answer to cracking down on crime?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Could we do better when it comes to how we manage our prison populations? That's what a Canterbury University political science researcher has been lo...

Taking a look at artist Fred Graham's legacy

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New Zealand artist Fred Graham is recognised as a pioneer in the contemporary Maori art movement. Now two exhibitions at Pataka Art and Museum in Well...

Is an A grade still impressive? We get a student's perspective

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new report has found a large increase in the number of university students receiving A grades. The think-tank 'The New Zealand Initiative' has analy...

Tech Tuesday with Tim Batt 25 November 2025

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our tech guy Tim Batt shares the latest goings on in the world of technology, and today he's looking into X, formerly known as Twitter, introducing a ...

What are regional councils actually for?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The days of regional councils could soon be over. It's understood the Government will announce a proposal for a local government shake-up later this a...

Music feature: We put the spotlight on Bjork

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bee Trudgeon currently writes for Audioculture Iwi Waiata and Muzic NZ. She was working for 'RipItUp' magazine back in 1995 when Post came out and int...

Could encouraging boys to read help lift their mental health

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Real men read books. For Dr. Shilo Brooks books, not barbells at the gym or bros on social media, shaped the kind of man he wanted to be. After a roug...

Expert Feature

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wedding season is well underway and while weddings can be one of the happiest days of a couples' life ... it can also be one of the most stressful. Ho...

Television Critic: Happiness and the Celebrity Traitors effect

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our critic Linda Burgess joins me now with her recommendations: Happiness - TV3. The Celebrity Traitors - ThreeNow

What is forensic toxicology?

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Five hundred toxicologists from around the world have converged on Auckland for their annual meeting. They're sharing their world-leading work in what...

How to make a blockbuster movie in ten days for ten grand

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

That's what a couple of Kiwi filmmakers have done with "Notes from a Fish" which hits cinemas next month. Co-directors Tom Levesque and Romy Hooper ar...

What proposed changes to the Building Act could mean to you

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Building and Construction minister Chris Penk has announced some proposed changes to the Building Act which will shake up who is liable for defective ...

Critter of the Week: The giant mole weta

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that one of our giant weta species is a burrowing specialist? As their name suggest, the giant mole weta dig subterranean burrows in whic...

Weekend Stuff: Getting organised ahead of Christmas

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're about halfway through November and things are starting to get busy .. the last four weeks before Christmas are often the most stressful and fran...

Food with Gretchen Lowe

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gretchen Lowe shares her recipe for snapper, agria, lemon & tarragon croquettes. These crispy morsels are full of fresh snapper, lemon and licorice-li...

Film Review with Kate Rodger

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today Kate shares her picks of what to see on the screen: Wicked for Good - cinemas Frankenstein - Netflix

Freaky Friday

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you have one you'd like to share please reach out via text - 2101 - or you can email us, [email protected]. Today Tim joins Jesse to share his s...