Afternoons

Episod

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  Long-tailed Cuckoo / Koekoea (Eudynamys taitensis) 25.09.2026 15min

  Every Friday passionate conservationist Nicola Toki and Jesse chat about a critter that is endemic to our New Zealand and needs some love. This week Nicola is bringing our attention to Aotearoa's largest cuckoo - the koekoea (long-tailed cuckoo).
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  Kiwi Cover Contest Winning Song 25.09.2026 3min

  Here is the winning song for the 2026 Kiwi Cover Song Contest. Ese, Tara and Sophia Aumalesulu with their version of the song See What Love Can Do. Thanks to RNZ's very talented music recording engineer Andre Upton.
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  Kiwi Cover Song Winners get another surprise! 25.09.2026 8min

  We had the great pleasure of announcing our winners of the Afternoons Kiwi Cover Song Contest last week. The reaction from winners Ese Aumalesulu and his daughters Tara and Sophia was amazing .. if you've missed it do go to our website .. or check out the video on RNZ on Instagram .. it's been doing some incredible numbers. The family won for their cover of the song See What Love Can Do made famous in New Zealand by Annie Crummer. Well, last week Ese, Tara and Sophia came to RNZ offices to record the song. We decided to make it a day they wouldn't forget by introducing them to a special fan.
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  Food: Asparagus with Feta & Pine Nuts 25.09.2026 6min

  Shared Kitchen's Julie Biuso is with Jesse to share her recipe for asparagus. Click HERE for the recipe.
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  Film Review: Heart of the Beast and Resident Evil 25.09.2026 8min

  Afternoons critic Dominic Corry joins Jesse to review: Heart of the Beast, Resident Evil and Mayday (Apple+)
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  Freaky Friday 25.09.2026 7min

  Every Friday afternoon we delve into the mysterious .. the unexplained .. the stories that send a shiver down your spine. If you've got a Freaky Friday story you'd like to share please let us know on 2101 or [email protected] Today we're speaking with Helen.
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  Why there's hope for Alzheimer's Disease 25.09.2026 11min

  Could Alzheimer's Disease become treatable and preventable? Well, a new report from Alzheimer's Disease International says after years of slow progress, clinicial trials are now on the brink of dignostic and medical breakthroughs. By 2050, the number of people living with dementia is expected to be 139 million so these breakthroughs couldn't come soon enough. To discuss the details Jesse is joined by Dr Campbell Le Heron, neurologist, neuroscientist and Alzheimer's NZ spokesperson.
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  What makes a good dumpling? 25.09.2026 3min

  The first Chinese dumplings sampled by most of us, in an old school Chinese takeaway shop, were usually deep fried wontons .. and according to food champion and friend of the show Connie Clarkson .. not especially Chinese. But that was in the early 1980s and since then the standard of dumplings have evolved, along with our taste buds. Tomorrow is international dumpling day .. so what better way to celebrate then a Great New Zealand Dumpling Trail? Julia English chats to Jesse.
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  The Dunedin museum that encourages curiousity 25.09.2026 9min

  On Wednesday I spoke to Jessica Lockhart from Lonely Planet Oceania about Dunedin and the Waitaki making it on the travel guides' Best in Travel list for 2027. Jessica said both places showcase the 'best of the quirkiness that New Zealand has to offer' ... she made a special mention of the Royal Dunedin Museum of Natural History, which she described as a museum of curious. Bruce Mahalski is the curator of the museum and he joins Jesse.
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  Explainer: How does whistleblowing work? 25.09.2026 11min

  With more claims of Education Ministry staff trying to avoid Official Information Act requests ... we thought it would be good to start today's show looking into whistleblowing. If you've not kept across the story, earlier this week a video was sent to some media showing a senior education ministry manager telling staff not to mention in writing feedback about draft curriculum documents from the office of Education Minister Erica Stanford. New Zealand has laws designed to protect people who report wrongdoing, it's called the Protected Disclosures Act 2022. Here to explain more about whistleblowing is Steven Price. He's a Wellington barrister specialising in media law and a Victoria University Teaching Fellow.
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  Political Group Chat 24.09.2026 18min

  This is Afternoons' chance to discuss the stories that have been in the headlines this week. It's a robust, good faith debate with comedian and commentator Tim Batt, Victoria University Political Scientist Dr Lara Greaves and Free Speech Union Member and screenwriter Dane Giraud.
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  History with Dr Grant Morris 24.09.2026 6min

  "Who is the biggest artist ever to play in NZ" There are some big concerts coming up in NZ with major artists like Bruno Mars continuing to visit. But who is actually the biggest artist to play in NZ during their prime? Today Dr Grant Morris and Jesse look at the history.
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  Solving the World's Problems with Holly Bennett 24.09.2026 7min

  Every couple of weeks we like to turn our attention to solving some of the world's problems - today Holly Bennett from Awhi Group is with Jesse to chat about the meteoric rise of collectables in New Zealand.
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  NZ Sporting History: League Legend Daryl Halligan 24.09.2026 29min

  It's time for New Zealand Sporting History and today we are talking to league legend Daryl Halligan!
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  Relationships: Cheating and making friends 24.09.2026 6min

  Let's talk relationships now, Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology If you have a tricky relationship issue you'd like some advice on - please get in touch: email is [email protected] or text us on 2101. This week the pair discuss cheating in a marriage and making friends as an adult.
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  The idea that saw a student win a major design award 24.09.2026 5min

  Here on Afternoons we love celebrating New Zealanders doing great things, like our next guest Sophie West. Sophie has just been named the winner of the 2026 James Dyson Award for her innovative design of a reusable period device. She chats to Jesse.
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  Everything you need to know about Picasso exhibition 24.09.2026 11min

  For the first time in over 30 years, a new major exhibition on Picasso is coming to Auckland Art Gallery. The October exhibition encompasses pivotal points throughout the artist's career, such as the Blue and Rose periods and Cubism. Here to tell us more is Sophie Matthieson, Senior Curator of International Art at Auckland Art Gallery
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  Explainer: What is happening with NZ Rugby? 24.09.2026 13min

  Today in Wellington, representatives from the five Super Rugby clubs, 26 provincial unions, NZ Maori Rugby Board and the Pasifika Rugby Council are coming together for a "Rugby Summit". Why? Well, it seems NZ Rugby has money troubles - it is carrying a structural debt of around $20 million a year, and current projections show it'll continue to lose a combined $66 million across 2027-2030. RNZ's sport journalist Joe Porter joins Jesse to explain what's going on.
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  Kenny Everett competition winner calls in! 23.09.2026 7min

  Liz recalls her memories of meeting Kenny Everett
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  Easy Eats: Sausage and vegetable tray bake with chive yoghurt 23.09.2026 3min

  Kelly Gibney is with Jesse Mulligan to share this week's Easy Eats. She says tray bakes are such a weeknight win. Most of the cook time is hands-off and this one can easily go straight from the oven to the dinner table, where everyone can tuck in and serve themselves.