Afternoons

Epizode

• 
  Explainer: What are the US midterms and why should we care? 19.10.2026 9min

  The US midterm elections are coming up on November 3rd. They are seen as a key part of the American political process - a chance for voters to pick their local congressional representatives, senators and governors. But also, it's a telling report card for the government of the day, as the results come halfway through their term in office and can change the balance of power in Congress. Here to explain what we can expect and why we should care is RNZ's Digital Explainer Editor Nik Dirga.
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  How can you be sure gluten free food is actually gluten free? 19.10.2026 11min

  About one percent of New Zealanders have coeliac disease, which causes a range of issues from debilitating gut problems to fatigue. Coeliac disease occurs when exposure to gluten triggers an immune response. Gluten-free food has become much more common on menus and supermarket shelves, but for people who can't eat gluten, finding something safe to eat isn't always straightforward. How can you be sure gluten free dishes are actually gluten free? To help answer that Jesse is joined by dietitian Bianca Berton-Scarlet & founder of the Gluten Free Food Festival Shayna Gaskell.
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  Why aren't our children playing outside anymore? 19.10.2026 11min

  We're starting today's show looking at child's play... because new research from AUT suggests that outdoor play is something parents now have to organise, supervise and in some cases pay for! Their data shows that only one in five children in Tamaki Makaurau regularly climb trees and the number riding bikes or scooters has dropped significantly over the past decade. And get this... 43 percent of Auckland parents say they feel judged if they let their children play freely. AUT Professor Scott Duncan from AUT is part of a new initiative calling for outdoor play to be treated as an essential part of urban health and wellbeing. He chats to Jesse.
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  The Pre-Panel : Your daily dose of stuff and nonsense 16.10.2026 10min

  Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.
• 
  Critter of the Week: Northern Striped Gecko 16.10.2026 15min

  Nicola Toki and Jesse discuss the northern striped gecko (Toropuku inexpectatus): a stripey, night-shift specialist found on the Coromandel Peninsula. With its long, grippy tail and secretive forest habits, this rare reptile is so elusive it was discovered only in 1997 and did not get its own species name until 2020. Now, years of patient monitoring and some very tiny radio backpacks are helping researchers uncover how it moves through native forest.
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  Weekend Stuff: How to make the most of transitional spaces 16.10.2026 5min

  Design expert Sylvia Sandford is with Jesse and she's keen to talk us through transitional spaces like entries, hallways, staircases and back porches.
• 
  What's on Country Life this weekend? 16.10.2026 3min

  Country Life is the RNZ show that puts the spotlight on rural New Zealand and shares the stories from rural New Zealanders. It's on air tonight at 7pm and again tomorrow morning at 7am .. and of course always on rnz.co.nz Country Life's Anisha Satya is with Jesse to share what's on the show.
• 
  Food: Kingfish Crudo, Yuzu Fennel & Kombu Dressing 16.10.2026 7min

  Tom Newfield from Christchurch bistro Earl joins Jesse to share a recipe. This week he has whipped up Kingfish Crudo, Yuzu Fennel & Kombu Dressing.
• 
  Film Review: Klara and the Sun and Tenzing 16.10.2026 11min

  Film Critic Kate Rodger is with Jesse in the Auckland studio to share what she's been watching. This week she's reviewing - Klara and the Sun (in cinemas now) and Tenzing (in cinemas now and on Apple TV).
• 
  Freaky Friday 16.10.2026 3min

  It's time for Freaky Friday! Every week we delve into the mysterious and the unexplained. If you've got a Freaky Friday story you'd like to share - text us on 2101 or email me at [email protected] Today we're joined by John in Greenlane in Auckland.
• 
  Why older New Zealanders are stressed about housing 16.10.2026 11min

  A new report on healthy ageing has found that for many older New Zealanders stress around housing costs is a huge issue. And interestingly, not just for the homeowners who still have a mortgage to pay off. The report is called 'For the Long Run', and Denise Cosgrove joins Jesse to talk through what it found. Denise is chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing.
• 
  What's going on with the reduction of spotted shags? 16.10.2026 9min

  One of the Hauraki Gulf's seabird populations is in serious trouble. The number of kawau tikitiki, or spotted shags, has halved over the past decade. A new study has been looking at why, Auckland Museum Senior Research Fellow Dr Matt Rayner is one of the researchers behind the study, and he is with me to share what they've found.
• 
  How diesel price spikes are making construction more expensive 16.10.2026 9min

  There has been a lot of talk about the rising cost of petrol and diesel ... according to newly released numbers from Stats NZ .. diesel is now 55.8% more expensive than a year ago. And while of course that means pain at the pump, the flow on effect hits some industries especially hard. Like the building and construction sector. To discuss, Julien Leys, Chief Executive of the Building Industry Federation of New Zealand joins us.
• 
  The pre-Panel: Your daily dose of stuff and nonsense 15.10.2026 7min

  Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.
• 
  Political Group Chat 15.10.2026 18min

  Political Group Chat is Afternoons' space for friendly disagreement and good faith debate about the week's political news. Joining us today are comedian and political commentator Tim Batt, screenwriter and Free Speech Union member Dane Giraud, and Victoria University's political scientist Lara Greaves.
• 
  Your Money with Mary Holm 15.10.2026 8min

  Let's talk about your money now, personal finance whizz Mary Holm is with Jesse and she's going to share tricks and tips to get rich quickly!!! Four ways to get rich quick · Start a business · Invest heavily in a few shares with big prospects · Trade in shares, cryptocurrency etc · Borrow to invest All of these sometimes work and sometimes don't. How might you give it a try? Go in with your eyes open!
• 
  A-Z of Aotearoa - Season Two! 15.10.2026 23min

  We're back for a new season of A-Z of Aotearoa and today we're heading to a beautiful part of the country - Akaroa The small seaside town on Banks Peninsula ... about one hour and twenty minutes from Christchurch.. is often referred to as "New Zealand's French town". But it is so much more than that! We learn all about it with local guide Marie Haley.
• 
  Like, Share, Follow: How social media has changed how we live 15.10.2026 17min

  We're influenced by the stories we hear and see every day without even realizing it. And the stuff we see on social media is not content that inspires us to be better people says writer and sociologist Kathryn Jezer-Morton. She says social media has gone far beyond concerns about the impact it has on attention spans or mental health. Our lives aren't just experiences anymore, they're stories we package, share and measure by other people's reactions. Holidays become highlights, breakups become content, and everyday moments become something to show an audience. It's changing how we experience our relationships, our memories and our identities. Her new book is The Story of Your Life: How Social Media Shapes the Way We Experience Everything.
• 
  Find out why Napier's "Skink Guy" is on a mission 15.10.2026 7min

  Our next guest loves skinks .. in fact he loves them so much he's known affectionately as Napier's local "skink guy." Joe Woolcott is the acting manager of the National Aquarium .. located on Marine Parade ... but he also takes care of the skink sanctuary you'll find just down the road. Joe is here to tell us why.
• 
  The Kiwi who found himself working on Brad Pitt's film 15.10.2026 10min

  George Snook is one of New Zealand's top young kayakers. In 2025 he was crowned the Men's Extreme Kayak World Champion after winning the Devils Race in the Czech Republic. But recently those skills on the water landed him a pretty unusual side gig - working with the stunt team on Brad Pitt's new film Heart of the Beast. George is with us to tell us all about it.