Afternoons

Every Friday at around 330pm, passionate conservationist Nicola Toki joins Jesse to put the spotlight on a critter endemic to New Zealand and currently endangered. This week she's talking about the Kermadec koromiko.

Rachael Quin from The Housekeeper.co.nz joins Jesse to chat about the places we often forget to clean like bathroom walls, ceiling fans, inside dishwashers and washing machines and toilet brushes, toothbrush holders.

Martin Bosley, chef, food writer & owner of Yellow Brick Road, joins Jesse to share his recipe for: Fish Braised with Tomatoes, Mussels and Cockles.

Afternoons critic Dominic Corry is with Jesse to share his views on: You Can See Everything - in NZ cinemas from Thursday November 12 Godzilla Minus Zero - in cinemas now. [picture id="4JHSYCN_Screenshot_2026_09_24_110845_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Time for Freaky Friday ... Your home for the weird, the mysterious and the unexplained. Send us stories 2101 or Jesse@rnz.co.nz Today we're going to hear from Vicky. [picture id="4JUCJCT_afternoons_spooky_thumbnail_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

New Zealand's ascent in the space industry has been really exciting to watch - with a handful of homegrown companies rapidly evolving into global players. But from a geopolitical perspective, many experts are asking whether space could become the new backdrop for war, with the US and China both engaged in programmes to launch military satellites and military space infrastructure. Robin McNeill is founder and CEO of Southland's global space company SpaceOps - one of our locally grown success stories. SpaceOps provides ground satellite communications solutions, and deep-space and lunar mission support. Robin said his staff would walk off the job if he took SpaceOps down a military route. He joins Jesse to discuss. [picture id="4M35PTR_image_crop_131479" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

A charitable trust set up to enhance the quality of life of those affected by brain cancer turns ten this month. White Matter Brain Cancer Trust was established by Christchurch surgeon James Worthington. Diagnosed with primary brain cancer in his late 40s, James saw first-hand brain cancers' impact on whanau and decided to try to do something about it. Philippa Worthington, wife of the late James Worthington and Melissa James is a Radiation Oncologist at Canterbury District Health Board chat to Jesse. [picture id="4JFMUCJ_James_Worthington_WMBCT_copy_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

With New Zealand's proud anti-nuclear history, talking about the use of nuclear power as an energy source can be a very touchy topic. On last night's Q & A's People's Debate, the various political party representatives were asked where they stand, with various responses. We wanted to get an expert opinion on the issue; we'd also love to know if would you ever be okay with it? Send us your thoughts on 2101. Dr. David Krofcheck is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics at Auckland University. He chats to Jesse. [picture id="4JNIPNP_d3be612442352e90d46697eb4d668510_webp" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

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.

Each week Jesse is joined by commentator and comedian Tim Batt, Victoria University's political scientist Dr Lara Greaves and screenwriter and Free Speech Union member Dane Giraud to discuss what's been in the headlines over the past week. It's a good faith, respectful and robust debate. We'd love your thoughts on it on 2101.

It's time to catch up with our house historian, Victoria University's Dr Grant Morris. Today Grant joins us from Australia so it makes sense to discuss the history of NZ's political alignment with Australia.

Time now for sporting history, the moment in the show when we celebrate our greatest athletes and sports stories. Today we're joined by former professional big wall climber Mayan Smith-Gobat. Mayan Smith-Gobat has spent most of her life pushing herself to do things that most people would consider impossible. She started out as an extreme skier, becoming New Zealand's top female in the sport before a serious accident at 21 redirected her towards climbing. She became the first woman to climb the legendary Punks in the Gym in Australia, free-climbed Yosemite's enormous Salathé Wall, and set a world record with fellow climber Libby Sauter. Mayan joins Jesse.

Okay it is time to talk relationships now, Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology Let us know if there are any topics you would like Kirsty and me to cover... you can email me at afternoons@rnz.co.nz [picture id="4JUCJCT_afternoons_relationships_thumbnail_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

We're going to start today's show talking about health .. and just how reliant the public health system is on the private sector. An investigation by Michael Morrah for the New Zealand Herald has revealed that the number of private providers securing Health NZ contracts for elective surgeries has more than doubled since early last year. So is this good use of taxpayer money to get more New Zealanders the surgeries they need - or are we leaning too much into private health providers? To discuss we're joined by Robin Gauld .. a prominent health professor with a focus on health systems, policy, and management. [picture id="4MLM1HH_copyright_image_245167" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

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.

Tauranga author Natalie Hampshire spent two years living with pain before discovering the cause was stage four endometriosis. She was diagnosed in 2022 - a condition estimated to affect around 120-thousand people in New Zealand. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body. It can cause debilitating pain, heavy bleeding, infertility, and problems with the bladder and bowel. Natalie has now written about her experience, hoping to shed light on a condition that can take years to diagnose. Endo Empathy author Natalie Hampshire spoke to Jesse. [picture id="4JFQLIR_9781991436245__68672_webp" crop="original" layout="full"]

Naenae based social enterprise Free Ride is all about making cycling more equitable for all. Last Christmas, the trust gave 35 bikes away to the community. This coming Saturday 14 November, Free Ride is calling for volunteers to join for something called the Big Bike Fix Up. It's when this year's giveaway bikes will be fixed up and ready to hand out. Lily Chalmers is the founder and chairperson of Free Ride, she spoke to Jesse. [picture id="4JFQQ97_Free_Ride_1080x675_webp" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

While we are in full pre-election mode here in New Zealand - in the US it's all eyes on the mid-term elections Americans have been out in force casting their votes in an election which is being seen as s nationwide referendum on Donald Trump's Presidency Polls have indicated that the Democrats could win big and take control of both the House and the Senate, which could lead to major constraints on President Trump's powers. Jesse spoke with Feature Story News US reporter Ira Spitzer. [picture id="4JFPGSI_AFP__20261103__D6AP2ZJ__v2__MidRes__TopshotUsVoteMaine_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Wednesdays on Afternoons mean we chat Easy Eats with Kelly Gibney, this week she's sharing her recipe for spaghetti with olives, capers, garlic and toasted breadcrumbs. Click HERE for recipe. [picture id="4JFV79X_RNZ_spaghetti_olives_garlic_capers_toasted_breadcrumbs_1_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

[picture id="4JFOS4H_baby_gorilla_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"] Time for Heading Off, our weekly travel segment where you share your adventures and hopefully inspire others to do the same! If you've got a story to share, then get in touch - 2101 or Jesse@rnz.co.nz Today we're heading to Africa, with a trip that took in Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa. It was a bucket-list adventure years in the making and included trekking through the rainforest to see mountain gorillas, watching lions and leopards on safari, and a little bit of rugby along the way. Former RNZ producer and journalist Kim Peacock spoke to Jesse. [picture id="4JFP6WL_2cf151d7_4d48_41aa_b47d_75bf7bf6ce07_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Each week we chat to RNZ podcast Our Changing World host Claire Concannon. This week Claire's going to share stories from her time with a marine ranger on a boat off Kaikoura. [picture id="4JY1RGS_Humpback_whale_successfully_disentangled_Kaikoura_Nov_2025_credit_Zac_Penman_DOC_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

People generally fall into two camps; messy or tidy. We all know that person who can't relax until everything is in its place. And then there are the friends who can live quite happily amid piles of laundry, cluttered benches and cupboards they'd rather not open. The big question is, can a messy person become a tidy one and can a tidy person learn to live with a little mess? Dr Trevor Mazzucchelli is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at Curtin University and specializes in behaviour change and wellbeing. He says being a messy person is not a moral failing and it's not destiny. Nor is being obsessively tidy. He shares his advice for coping with each camp and making changes we want to see.

We're playing You're the Judge today, this is a segment where we get your reckons on a dilemma and how it can be resolved, this week's comes from Gigi. [picture id="4JG6U7B_collage_sundaycampaigning_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Tim Batt joins Jesse to discuss what's caught his eye from the world of tech - this week he's looking at whether the AI bubble is bursting and the biggest heist in history when over USD$6billion in crypto assets stolen from Binance (a crypto exchange). [picture id="4L7MVKS_075_kokovlis_notitle230605_npG9v_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Let's talk books! Afternoons Critic Lisa Glass is with Jesse to discuss three books that consider whether people should be more selective about the information and knowledge they choose to absorb. Naomi Alderman: Don't Burn Anyone at the Stake Today Juliet Gerrard: Front Row Seat A. C. Grayling: The Challenge of the Future. [picture id="4JIKKCJ_201_Book_01_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

We speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing, how they're working to solve them, and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to the Waipa District in the Waikato region - where you'll find the towns of Te Awamutu and Cambridge and Mayor Mike Pettit. He joins Jesse to chat.  [picture id="4JFQX8K_Mike_Pettit_Oct_2025_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

If you've been following the US midterms you'll know there have been some astonishing attack ads doing the rounds, reaching some pretty new lows. Back here, the election campaign has also seen some pretty intense advertising, many of which are driven by lobby groups on both sides of the political spectrum. It got us wondering about attack ads and whether they achieve what they set out to or conversely, turn voters off. Monique Turner is Professor of Communication at Michigan State University, she studies the emotional impacts of advertising campaigns. [picture id="4JG93JA_PD251026BILLBOARDS6_JPG" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

The West Coast township of Franz Josef is only one flood away from disaster, says one leading expert. Franz Josef, located on the Waiho River, continues to rise at around 20 centimetres per year and is changing its natural course years ahead of forecasts. Ian Fuller is spokesperson for the Waiho Technical Advisory Group - which is providing independent advice for West Coast Regional Council on the Waiho River at Franz Josef. He is also professor in Physical Geography at Massey University and is Principal Fluvial Geomorphologist and Technical Director at Tonkin + Taylor. He joins Jesse. [picture id="4JK4KO8_franz_josef_glacier_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

We often hear about the benefits of solar when it comes to saving power but turns out there could be similar savings to be made through hot water. In New Zealand, around 1.4 to 1.8 million homes have a hot water cylinder, with hot water making up about 30 percent of a household's costs, these savings could affect many of you. RNZ Money Correspondent, Susan Edmonds wrote a piece about it this morning and we were keen to know more. Josh Ellerson is Head of Research at independent energy think tank Rewiring Aotearoa, he joins Jesse now to crunch some numbers. [picture id="4OWEKXO_106562289_l_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

It began with a mother of nine. When she was around 41, her youngest daughter Barb noticed a change in the woman she'd always known as loving and attentive. Her mother descended into alcoholism and depression. Then, one by one, Barb's siblings began to change too. Eventually five of her eight siblings withdrew from their families, their jobs and their lives. Barb suspected this wasn't simply a family curse, but something written into their genes. She was right. It was a rare form of dementia that steals far more than memories. In his new book writer Robert Kolker tells the story of a family haunted by a genetic disorder that each child has a 50-50 chance of inheriting and how their genes may help researchers learn more about treating dementia. The book is called The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia. Jesse chats to Robert.

Philippa Rennie joins Afternoons to share what she's been enjoying. Youth - HBO Max. Happiness (Season Two) TV3/Sky.

It's time for our expert feature now, and today we're talking ties. How they're made, how to wear them, and frankly, why we wear them. Please send your tie-related questions through to 2101 and I'll put them to our expert John Crompton. John is the fourth generation of his family to run Parisian, an Auckland business that has been making ties for more than a century. [picture id="4JJYN11_rhii_photography_Xy6FpnFyVjo_unsplash_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Monday afternoons are when Jesse hits the clubs!! If you are a member of a club that you think we should know about please get in touch. 2101 on the text of Jesse@rnz.co.nz via email. We love weird niches - lawnmower racing, coffin making, knitting, cosplay - whatever it is, if you fancy a chat let us know. Today we're going to meet Robyn Janes. [picture id="4JUCJCT_afternoons_clubbing_thumbnail_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Our guy on the ground in Australia is Brad Foster and each week he joins Jesse to share what's happening across the Tasman. This week Brad discusses the latest in the Erin Patterson case, heightened police presence in Sydney a year on from the Bondi terror attacks. [picture id="4JFYFV1_AFP__20260819__C4YP9ZR__v2__HighRes__AustraliaCrimeCourtMushroomsAppeal_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

We love celebrating success here on Afternoons, so we're thrilled to be talking to our next guest. Last month, Skye Duncan was named on the TIME100 Next 2026 list, recognising the world's most influential rising stars. Skye and her team at the Global Designing Cities Initiative are on a mission to make our streets safer for everyone. Their Global Street Design Guide has now been translated into nine languages and endorsed by more than 130 cities, regions and organisations around the world. Skye Duncan joins Jesse from New York. [picture id="4N2NL2G_copyright_image_215017" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

This year marks half a century of the sport of orienteering in Wellington. To celebrate, volunteer group Orienteering Wellington is hosting a birthday party later this month - an orienteering event where anyone can take place. Lachlan McKenzie joined Orienteering Wellington about 10 years ago and currently serve as secretary. He chats to Jesse. [picture id="4JFSTKH_808564730_1420924186808367_756759258425361120_n_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

A new research paper has identified strengths and vulnerabilities across every transport mode, whether road, rail or sea, it seems all our networks are fragile. The paper has been produced by engineering and professional services consulting firm WSP and the Helen Clark Foundation, and it is calling for a rethink on how we approach transport networks and what alternatives exist should they fail. Kali Mercier is WSP Fellow and Deputy Director Helen Clark Foundation and author of Rethinking Regional Connectivity and she joins Jesse in our Wellington studio. [picture id="4NSJ5LV_copyright_image_156341" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Jesse chats to passionate conservationist Nicola Toki about a critter she thinks deserves a moment in the spotlight. This week it's native gecko mites (Geckobia species). While many mites are temporary visitors, Geckobia scale mites are lifelong, permanent residents. They spend every single stage of their life cycle-eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults-clinging tightly directly onto the skin of a gecko. They are living proof of deep evolutionary history in Aotearoa, having branched alongside our ancient native geckos millions of years before human arrival.

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.

Mitre 10's Stan Scott is with Jesse and is very happy to answer any questions you've got about small or large building projects you've got on the go!

Shared Kitchen's Julie Biuso is with Jesse to share her latest recipe. Spoiler alert = Scrumptious! Maybe it's the tomatoes, the colours, or the bright, fresh flavours. Whatever it is, the crunchy, juicy, sweet tang with a creamy ball of burrata, or with baby spongy balls of mozzarella, is extraordinary. And there is something undeniably summery or festive about it. Just make it. Link to the recipe is HERE!

Afternoons film critic Kate Rodger is with Jesse in the Auckland studio to talk to us about what's on at the movies. This week Kate reviews Prime Time and Pressure (both on in cinemas)

As regular listeners will know just before 2pm each Friday we like to get our spook on ...we call it Freaky Friday... and it's when we dive into the unexplained .. the unusual .. and the downright odd! If you have a strange story we'd love to hear from you, text 2101 or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz Today Jesse is speaking with Susan, an archaeologist whose story takes us to the Middle East in the 1980s.

Auckland is full of colour right now as the Rugby League World Cup heats up and fans make their allegiances known by proudly flying flags from cars and houses. Sunday night sees fierce rivals Samoa and Tonga go head-to-head in what's been billed as one of the biggest international rugby league clashes in decades .... with a place in the semi-finals potentially up for grabs! The game's taking place in Sydney, but you just know Auckland is going to be rocking, Samoan league fan Albert Scott chats to Jesse.

We all know the iconic Kiwi soft drink Lemon and Paeroa or L&P if you prefer, but did you know there's a rival lemon fizzy drink from the same region? Lemon and Te Aroha or L&T first hit the shelves back in 1887... using water from the Mount Te Aroha spring ... the drink disappeared in the 1970s but now it's making a comeback .. Lemon and Te Aroha director Richard Revell joins Jesse to discuss.

Two Pak'nSave supermarkets have been fined a combined $580,500 for misleading customers over their pricing. The stores, in Silverdale and Hamilton, were found to have breached the Fair Trading Act, including making misleading claims about discounts and special prices. It's not the first time a supermarket has been caught doing this. You might remember the outrage in 2022 when the Commerce Commission's market study into the retail grocery sector found the major retailers were earning excess profits of around one millon dollars a day. Which got us wondering .. do fines actually work as a deterrent? To discuss Jesse is joined by Consumer NZ's Head of Research and Advocacy Gemma Rasmussen

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.

It's time for our weekly Political Group Chat - a space for good faith debate and friendly disagreement. Joining Jesse this week, and every week from now on, are Victoria University political scientist Dr Lara Greaves, comedian and political commentator Tim Batt, and screenwriter and Free Speech Union member Dane Giraud.

Let's get into some money matters, personal finance whizz Mary Holm is with Jesse to run through the KiwiSaver changes being proposed by the different political parties.

It's time to return to the A-Z of Aotearoa. We had so much fun the first time round that we've gone back to the beginning of the alphabet, and we've arrived at 'B' today so we're heading to Wellington to visit the Beehive. Jesse will speak to Parliamentary Service Chief Executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero about what goes on inside and what we can discover on a visit. But we'll start with the building itself, and for that Jesse is joined by architectural historian Dr Jessica Halliday. Jessica wrote her PhD on the design and construction of the Beehive so perhaps there's no one better placed to talk us through it.

When Frances Haugen blew the whistle on Facebook in 2021, she exposed how Meta put engagement and profits ahead of the safety and the wellbeing of users. Her story is the subject of The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin's follow-up film to The Social Network. Now she's concerned those problems could return on a much bigger scale as Artificial Intelligence creeps into our lives. Haugen is starting an initiative with fellow whistleblower Brittany Kaiser who exposed Cambridge Analytica's misuse of Facebook data during elections. They want to help tech employees who see wrongdoing understand how they can safely blow the whistle just as they did. Frances Haugen joins Jesse

It's Halloween on Saturday and for many of you that will mean kids roaming the streets looking for lollies. Constable Bryan Ward is with Jesse to share some tips on making the 31st fun rather than genuinely frightening for the children in your life.

Much of the conversation around screen time focuses on the risks social media poses to teenagers, but what about our younger children? Research shows screen use in under-twos can cause delays in language development and social skills, as well as problems with sleep and eating ... and almost two -thirds of babies and toddlers in New Zealand exceed recommended screen use So if we know the potential risks, why are we still putting screens in front of our babies and toddlers? University of Auckland's Dr Samantha Marsh joins Jesse to discuss.

There's been some talk this election cycle about the desire to electrify as much transport as possible in Aotearoa ... but the cost of electrifying rail isn't cheap. One Kiwi company Mackwell believes the answer could lie in a modern take on steam. Traditional steam engines are notorious for being dangerous and dirty. but Mackwell says it's developed a combustion system that isn't either of those things. Joining Jesse to explain how is founder and Chief Engineer Sam Mackwell.

We've all heard it's a cost of living election ... it's a cost of living crisis .. it's a cost of living tunnel .. but we wondered what those words actually mean? This morning on Morning Report, the parents of seven kids said extra bills means sometimes the kids can't go to school because they don't have food for lunch. Dave Letele is the founder of Brown Butterbean Motivation Community Kitchen and Foodshare, we invited him on the show to tell us what he is seeing first hand.

Let's talk about what's got your group chats lighting up now .. Jesse is joined by this weekend's Saturday morning host Kate Rodger, Sunday's culture 101 host Perlina Lau and Afternoons' senior producer Olivia Wilson .. to talk about the stories that are perfect water cooler fodder. This week they chat about Superbowl half time shows, Junior MasterChef and Meghan Markle, plus advice on how to respond to the "Gen Z stare."

Kelly Gibney is with Jesse to share a delicious recipe. This week is asparagus, courgette, bacon and walnut galette.

Time for Heading Off, our weekly travel segment where you share your adventures .. and inspire others to do the same! Today we're heading off to Maui in Hawaii with travel writer Megan Singleton, who has just returned from the island and put together what she calls a perfect 10-hour day trip.

It's time for Our Changing World - and this week we're heading out in the field with producer Liz Garton - to learn more about tara-iti, the New Zealand fairy tern. The Kakapo, as our kind of poster child for rare birds, has a population of more than 300 now, while the tara-iti population sits at fewer than 50 birds. But a lot of work is going into changing that!

Ai generated music is flooding streaming platforms everywhere .. but many music fans would have no idea of knowing if the content they're listening to was made by AI Last year the EU announced they were introducing rules to tag AI generated tracks ... but there are currently no laws in place here A couple of local Kiwi music professionals have launched Original Machine ... which checks submissions for Ai Authorship... and gives out badges once the work is identified as Human Made. To tell us all about it Jesse is joined by Original Machine co-founder Te Matera Smith.

COP 17 is about to wrap up in Armenia where the spotlight has been on our progress with '30 by 30' ... that's the collective goal to protect 30% of land and freshwater by 2030 in an attempt to halt and even reverse biodiversity loss. We're now at the half way point, and spoiler alert - we're not on track to make the goal. To talk about happens now, Jesse is joined by Dr Jonathan Tonkin, a Quantitative Ecologist at the University of Canterbury.

Lots of policies and promises have been bandied around this campaign season - but there's one idea that seems to have support right across the political spectrum. And that is a future generations law - a legal requirement that Governments consider the impact of their decisions on future generations. In a new poll by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, more than 80% of Greens, ACT, NZ First, Labour and National voters backed the idea, with Te Pati Maori voters the notable exception. So what would a Future Generations Act actually look like, and how would it change the way governments make decisions? To discuss, Wellbeing Economy Alliance director Gareth Hughes chats to Jesse.

On Tuesdays we play You're the Judge here on Afternoons .. we read out a dilemma, and you get to weigh in on who is right and who isn't. This week we're looking at past actions and whether trying to apologise for them years later is right, or wrong. To chime in text 2101!

Protecting our kids from technology is a struggle for everyone, including extended members of the British royal family. Sophie Winkleman, known as Lady Frederick Windsor, is an actor whose credits include Peep Show and Two and a Half Men. She's also an education campaigner, warning that a new flank has opened up in the struggle with technology and our kids and it's happening in the classroom. She says evidence is mounting that screens at school can come at the expense of concentration, imagination, reading and human connection. Alongside Hugh Grant, she's a patron of Close Screens, Open Minds Sophie Winkleman, also known as Lady Frederick Windsor, joins me now.

RNZ Wellington Operations Team Leader Elliot Childs is with Jesse to share what he's been listening to: The Gaza Chef and Song Navigator. Both available wherever you get your podcasts!

Let's talk books, Claire Mabey, children's writer and books editor for The Spinoff is with Jesse to share what she's been reading: The Beaded Curtain by lloyd Jones Gloria of Greymouth by Sam Duckor Jones The Witches of Winderry Spires by Karen Foxlee

It's time for Mayoral minutes .. where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing ... how they're working to solve them... and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to the Hauraki District in Waikato ... where you'll find .. Paeroa, Ngatea, Waihi and the Karangahake Gorge. Mayor Toby Adams chats to Jesse.

There's a push to bring debating to more schools across the country... particularly those in lower-decile communities that haven't traditionally had the same access to it. It's widely believed that debating helps young people build confidence in public speaking, develop critical thinking skills and learn to see things from different perspectives. Acting President of the NZ schools Debating Council Peter Lang chats to Jesse.

Nature isn't just something you find in the bush, at the beach or in a wildlife park. It's in our backyards, on our windowsills, and growing in the cracks in the footpath. But often - in our urban bubbles - we don't stop to notice. Rachel Haydon is a scientist, author and current Chief Executive of Orana Wildlife Park. Her latest book - The Urban Activity Book - is about helping kids discover nature in the places most of us live. She joins Jesse to discuss.

As we get closer to Election Day, the noise around the potential make up of the next Government is getting louder and louder. University of Otago election law professor & constitutional theory expert Andrew Geddis joins Jesse to look at the various options at play and what they mean.

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.

Every Friday Jesse chats critters with passionate conservationist Nicola Toki. This week they are talking about the Ngahere Gecko. Found across the lower-to-eastern North Island, ranging from East Cape down through the Wairarapa and into the Wellington region, these guys are playing the long game-they can live for decades (up to 30+ years)!

October is the time to be proactive in your garden .. with the days growing longer and the soil warming up, plants grow faster. Gardening guru Lynda Hallinan is with Jesse to share what you should be focusing on in your garden.

Hospitality legend, and manager of Auckland Council's The Kitchen Project, Connie Clarkson is with Jesse to share a recipe for miso snapper rice bowl. As summer peaks around the corner, this is one for our boaties and fisherfolk! You've GOT to love a good fish head to pile on the umami, nutrients and cut down on food waste while you are at it.

Time for NZ Live. Your weekly live music showcase. A private gig to play you into the weekend. Today's artist has become one of the country's most successful musicians with 100s of millions of streams across 7 albums. His latest 'Real Fruit Ice Cream' was released back in August. We last spoke in 2021 - that's four albums ago! - so we're delighted to welcome Eddie Johnson A.K.A Lontalius to NZ Live.

Afternoons critic Dominic Corry is with Jesse in the Auckland studio to share the movies he's been watching: Clayface (in cinemas) Wildwood (in cinemas)

As you know just before 2pm each Friday we like to leave you with a spooky story to take into the weekend. We call it Freaky Friday... it can be the unexplained .. the unknown or the unusual. We love it all! Do get in touch if you've got a story to share - 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz [picture id="4OFO8JG_copyright_image_105527" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Wild Matata also known as fernbirds have been spotted at Lake Kohangatera in the Wellington region for the first time in 70 years. The Matata - which is classified as "At Risk" - depends on healthy wetlands for its survival. To find out more Jesse is joined by 'Greater Wellington's Jack Mace. [picture id="4L3070L_M_t_t_NZ_Fern_bird_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

2026 has seen a lot of anti Indian rhetoric in New Zealand ... a quick search online brings up pretty confronting headlines .. including the "butter chicken tsunami" comments from NZ First's Shane Jones. Earlier this week Brian Tamaki appeared in Auckland's Manukau District Court, where he denied claims he incited rational disharmony that's after he accused India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi of purging Christians in the South Asian nation in June and told his followers to reciprocate in kind and purge New Zealand of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. In a new RNZ series - "Navigating a year of anti-Indian hate" reporter Blessen Tom went out and spent time with people in the Auckland Indian community. The series launches on the RNZ YouTube channel this week, with more to come across our platforms. Blessen joins Jesse to share what he learnt. [picture id="4JLNCZU_Media_6_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

TIME magazine recently released its list of the 300 best inventions for 2026 and two New Zealand companies have made the cut. Palmerston North Agritech company BioLumic and Leaft - a Canterbury based food company. Set up by Synlait Milk founder John Penno and his wife Maury Leyland-Penno, Leaft has developed a process for extracting protein from Lucerne leaves. Something that previously involved a cow or maybe a sheep. TIME described their work as "the world's most abundant protein, in a smoothie". Maury chats to Jesse. [picture id="4KJWZ8O_holding_lucerne_1_jpeg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

We're going to start the show with a discussion about the cost of living. According to many polls, it's your biggest concern in the lead up to the general election with rising living costs and flat wage growth leaving many struggling to afford the basics. Politicians are promising very different solutions to get the economy back on track, but what we wanted to know was how did we get here? and why does everything cost so much? Economist Dr Geoff Bertram traces the current cost of living crisis back to economic policies put in place in the 1980s, he's with Jesse to share his knowledge. [picture id="4JMVVUM_GettyImages_1322511398_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

It's time for New Zealand sports history and today Jesse is joined by the one and only Ian Smith. One of the perks of this job is getting to speak to sporting greats, and Ian is certainly one of them. He was New Zealand's wicketkeeper through the golden era of the 1980s and into the 90s, playing 63 Tests and 98 ODIs. First selected for the Black Caps in 1980, he went on to establish himself as one of the world's great wicketkeeper-batsmen. Ian then went on to have an incredible career behind the microphone as a commentator. [picture id="4N2US6W_copyright_image_214451" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

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.

This is Afternoons chance to discuss the stories that have been in the news cycle over the past seven days. Jesse is joined by commentator and comedian Tim Batt and Victoria University's political scientist Dr Lara Greaves.

There has been a lot of talk about MMP overhang this election campaign .. we chatted to Bryce Edwards a few weeks ago to get a better understanding of what Te Pati Maori, Harry Mowbray and Don Brash are trying to achieve. Today Dr Grant Morris is with Jesse to explain the history of MMP overhangs in New Zealand.

Every fortnight we spend some time trying to solve some of the world's problems, this week Stuff columnist Verity Johnson joins Jesse to discuss what's on her mind. Today she's talking about the importance of having hope.

Let's talk relationships, Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology Please get in touch if there's a topic you'd like Kirsty and Jesse to cover at afternoons@rnz.co.nz

The film Tenzing, which tells the story of Sir Ed Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's ascent of Everest from the sherpa's perspective. is getting rave reviews from critics .. including our own Kate Rodger on Friday. It was filmed across Nepal and New Zealand and has some big stars involved .. including Tom Hiddleston as Hillary. New Zealand acting coach Dame Miranda Harcourt worked closely with the production and its cast, and she's with Jesse to share some behind the scenes stories.

Some of the world's best sportspeople have interesting quirks when it comes to which side of their body they use. Cricketers Kane Williamson and Sachin Tendulkar, for example, bat and throw right-handed but write left-handed. And there's another pattern that a sports fan has been exploring: athletes who swing a golf club from the right side but bat from the left in cricket or baseball. Sports mega fan Andrew Sim has been studding these differences and what they could tell us about how our brains work. Andrew joins Jesse to make the case for his theory of mixed handedness.

There has been a lot of talk in the many, many political debates about how to make sure New Zealand recognises its full potential. According to a new report from lobby group "Circular by Nature" we could start by looking at the economic value we're getting from our natural resources. It says each of us uses around 21 tonnes of natural resources per year - well above the global average - but despite that we get 40% less economic return from them. It argues that we can unlock missing billions by creating a more joined up circular economy. Louise Nash - one of the authors of "Circular by Nature: Realising Aotearoa New Zealand's Full Potential. What will it take?" joins Jesse. [picture id="4JHG60E_Louise_Nash_and_Kelly_McClean_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

RNZ Business Editor Corin Dann joins Jesse to explain what the new inflation figures mean for the economy and your pocket! [picture id="4JMVVDN_GettyImages_2206123883_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

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.

Taika Waititi's latest film is called Klara and the Sun, based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, it's a story about love, loneliness, family and what makes us human. Klara and the Sun stars Jenny Ortega, Amy Adams and the New Zealand landscape outside Wanaka. Waititi's films often find humour and humanity in unexpected places, from Hunt for the Wilderpeople to Jojo Rabbit. This time however, he's tackling a quieter, more philosophical story. Jesse caught up with Taika a few weeks ago to talk about the film - which is in New Zealand cinemas from tomorrow.

Time for Bookmarks now and today we're joined by Petrina D'Rozario, founder and festival director of the Indian Film Festival New Zealand. It's the country's first dedicated Indian film festival, bringing more than 30 films in more than 11 languages to screens across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Opening night is on October 22 at Auckland's Hoyts Sylvia Park ...Petrina D'Rozario shares her what she loves to watch, listen to and read. [picture id="4JIKWRS_PDR_Credit_Keerti_Siag_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Wednesdays here on Afternoons means a chance to talk food .. each week Kelly Gibney joins me to brighten up your weekly meal routine. Recipe is HERE

Remember we'd love to hear from you if you have a great travel story to share .. doesn't need to be fancy or far away! Text us on 2101 or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz Today we're heading off to Indonesia with Afternoons listener Lucy Sheridan, who celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with a trip through the Flores Islands and Komodo National Park. [picture id="4K743O7_AFP__20250416__42GE8CP__v1__HighRes__JapanLifestyleTourism_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Our Changing World is an RNZ podcast that looks into science and nature topics .. every Wednesday Jesse chat to someone from the team about what they're investigating .. today Jesse is joined by producer Ayana Piper-Healion .. who is keen to talk about a genetic form of Parkinsons related to a single gene known as PINK1. [picture id="4K55I4L_Joan_and_Tomas_at_Parkinsons_Pacific_Support_Group_JPG" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Gary McCormick is a man of many careers. You might know him as a poet, from his time opening for Dave Dobyn, or his years on radio and tv - particularly his show Heartland from the early 90s. The through line in all of them is life on the road. Travelling around the country, collecting stories and entertaining people. The next stage of his career sees him returning to his roots - embarking on a tour with musician Adam McGrath Gary McCormick chats to Jesse. Dates: Friday 30/10 - Wall Theatre, New Plymouth, 31/10 - Q Theatre, Auckland, 14/01 - Welly, 15/01 - Palmerston North, 06/04 - Okarito [picture id="4JQUL89_Gary_and_Adam_hi_res_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

At 17, Catherine Warman is about to become a published author Her first book - Primrose the Badger - is set to be released in the UK next month by Olympia Publishers. Catherine joins us to tell us about her book and how she got a deal!