RNZ: Saturday Morning

Just as Maori have fought for the restoration of their whenua and reo so too have they fought for recognition of matauranga Maori - traditional knowledge. Unlikely Kin tells the story of Ngati Wai elder Hori Parata and his son Te Kaurinui who lead the cultural harvesting of deceased tohora following a stranding. But it isn't just about treating a taonga with the respect it is due and acknowledging its place within Te Ao Maori. It's about its connection to another taonga - the kauri. Mihingarangi talks to the documentary's directors Kim Webby and Michael Jonathan about a conservation message that was five years in the filming.

Emma Neale is the author of seven novels and seven poetry collections, the latest of which won the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry at the 2025 Ockham NZ Book Awards. Her newest novel, Maybe Baby, tells the story of a grieving widower determined to honour his and his late wife's desire to have a child. It's an exploration of the complexities of bringing life into the world and the tensions that arise when desire takes over. Emma joins Susie to discuss the central themes of the novel.

Over the last week we've seen house prices slumping in what could be the biggest property reset in decades, while petrol prices may also be set to come down. Liam Dann is the Business Editor at Large for the New Zealand Herald. He talks to Mihingarangi about the latest data trends.

Life is pressured - no doubt about it. And as a parent, your natural instinct is to protect your child from that pressure - but at what cost? Ant Williams is a sports psychologist and world champion freediver who believes that allowing children to take risks and experience failure is the key to resilience and success in adulthood. He speaks to Mihingarangi about the challenges of parenting today.

An important milestone has been reached in the research of GLP-1 drugs, which first transformed the treatment of diabetes. Then they upended the science - and culture - of weight loss. Now, new studies are fuelling optimism about the drugs' potential role in prevention and treatment - especially in breast, colon and lung cancer. Dr Elizabeth McDonald is a Professor of Radiology in the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and a practicing breast radiologist. Professor McDonald presented the research and speaks with Susie about the results.

Dr Clare Ward has spent over three decades as a country doctor in Hokianga. As a Pakeha practitioner serving a largely Maori community, she's developed a unique perspective on how te ao Maori and western healthcare can work side by side, navigating complex realities of access, equity and trust. Her memoir A Place to Stand: A country doctor's life in Hokianga is out now. She speaks with Mihingarangi about her medical - and personal - journey.

The 37-year-old was detained by ICE while attempting to return to the US on a Green Card - or Permanent Resident Card - after a three-week holiday in New Zealand in early April, because of a 2016 cannabis conviction. Everlee Wihongi's lawyer Marc Christopher confirmed she has been released and is expected to be reunited with her family in the next few hours. Everlee's mother Betty Wihongi spoke to Mihi.

Pharmacist by day and award-winning writer by night, Zoulfa Katouh loves to break stereotypes. Her latest novel The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue follows a Syrian American teenager called Jihad - a word accurately translated as struggle or striving. Susie Ferguson speaks with Zoulfa about overcoming prejudice.

Is your phone correcting words like "were" to "we're" and "public" to "pubic"? If so, you're not alone. More and more, predictive text seems to have a mind of its own. Marcus Frean is an Associate Professor at Victoria University's School of Engineering and Computer Science. A specialist in statistical and probability-based machine learning. He talks to Mihingarangi about why he thinks auto correct is out of control.

The 37-year-old was detained by ICE while attempting to return to the US on a Green Card - or Permanent Resident Card - after a three-week holiday in New Zealand in early April, because of a 2016 cannabis conviction. Everlee Wihongi's lawyer Marc Christopher confirmed she has been released and is expected to be reunited with her family in the next few hours. Everlee's sister in law Courtney Wihongi spoke to Mihi.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is opening at the Auckland War Memorial Museum later this month, showcasing a hundred astounding images of our changing world. Pauline Robert is the manager and judge of the international Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the world famous Natural History Museum in London. She talks to Susie Ferguson about what makes a winning photo.

Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire. With a deal freshly inked, electronically at least, by both presidents of Iran and the US, what happens now? Will it result in a more stable relationship long-term? Will oil prices return to their former levels? Or is it just a band aid? US President Donald Trump has already warned the war will resume if the next stage of negotiations aren't complete in 60 days. BBC's Middle East Correspondent Seb Usher speaks to Mihingarangi Forbes about what has - and has not - been achieved.

It's the fourth and final day of Fieldays and a momentous occasion for all lawn mower racing fans.

The 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki kicks off today and so are the Pacific Semis. Sky Sports' Taylah Johnson joins us live from Eden Park.

A new study has revealed that Wellington's 1-in-100-year coastal floods have become roughly a twice-per-year occurrence. 

You could say that Peter MacNab is to caving what Neil Armstrong is to the moon. 

Therapy using psychedelic substances and music to heal and improve mental well-being is a controversial practice. Music and the Mystical Experience, screening at this year's Doc Edge festival, follows New Zealand musician and sound engineer, Michael Sutherland as he creates six hours of soundscapes specifically designed to enhance the healing experience. Michael and director, Isabel Corfiatis talk to Susie about what happens when art and neuroscience converge.

Formed in 1977, Dire Straits was one of the big bands of the 80s and early 90s with global hits like Money for Nothing and Walk of Life. 

We have kick-off! But amongst the hype ... the favourites ... the All Whites ... the ball ... and the heat ... who gives a second thought to the grass? 

If you're a fan of the BBC series Riot Women then you'll love The NaNaz because they are the real thing. 

President Trump has been accused of politicising commemorations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Fa'anana Efeso Collins was a Matai, Green MP and Community Leader. This week the findings of a coronial inquiry into his sudden death were released. 

Cooking and food waste regular, Del Holland joins Mihingarangi with three budget supper ideas using prawns.

While creepy crawlies aren't everyone's cup of tea, rodents are much less appealing and on Australia's remote Lord Howe Island, a pest eradication programme has got rid of the rats and mice. In their place, insects and lizards are flourishing - and it's all based on role-modelling from New Zealand. Maxim Adams is lead researcher at the University of Sydney. He speaks to Susie about how they did it.

Dr Buzz Burrell answers the most common questions he gets from older patients in his clinic. 

Researchers at the University of Canterbury are helping communities visualise the risk of flooding using virtual reality.

When Laura Guckian was first handed her newborn son, she expected to feel a surge of love - but she didn't. Instead, Laura felt frightened and alone. 

Award-winning photojournalist Andrew Cornaga is the director of Photosport New Zealand, has twice been named New Zealand Sports Journalist of the Year and is currently exhibiting his football photographs as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography. Andrew is about to head off to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Over the next month, he'll be following Darren Bazeley's All Whites who play three group games in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Andrew speaks to Mihingarangi about the art of capturing sports on film, his expectations for the upcoming tournament - and what he thinks about the hype surrounding Tim Payne.

A zoom call with Oscar winning director Chloé Zhao convinced Irish British novelist Maggie O'Farrell to agree to a film adaptation of her novel Hamnet.

For many, having too much to do and too little time to do it in, is an everyday occurrence. 

The great grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien, Royd Tolkien, has a special connection to New Zealand but not just because of its role as Middle-earth. 

It's day two of auditions at the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards in Gore. Jenny Mitchell won the senior competition in 2017. She's back this year as both a showcase performer and volunteer helping out on stage - because that's just what you do! A highlight of the Tussock Country festival, Gold Guitars launched her country music career - one that has taken her to Tamworth and Nashville. Now based in Melbourne, Jenny was mentored by Dame Jools Topp who sadly passed away earlier this week. Jenny talks to Susie about her audition picks so far and how Jools shaped her as both a musician and a person.

Poet, performer and award-winning author, Tusiata Avia has forged her own path as a Pasifika voice on themes like racism and identity delivered with humour, honesty and courage. The 2026 International Institute of Modern Letters Writer in Residence for the Academy of New Zealand Literature, her latest work is called Giving Birth to My Father. A collection of poems, it is an exploration and expression of grief and acceptance. She speaks to Susie about loss, life - and getting into trouble.

Our regular gardening expert Hannah Zwartz is back with more advice for the green and not so green fingered amongst us! Today she talks to Susie about why we prune in June and she has her top tips for planting - size, spacing and why sprinkling seed is a good alternative to mulch.

Being ordinary or doing ordinary things isn't usually something people aspire to - but Dr Nadine Levy says we should. 

Sam Cox turned his obsession with doodling into a global art sensation. But at one point he believed he really was his alter ego, Mr Doodle.

Most of us have a song at some time or another we just can't get out of our head. It's called an earworm - and you can get rid of them!   

After decades of conflict, it's hard to imagine a peaceful Middle East. But Maoz Inon, an Israeli and Aziz Abu Sarah, a Palestinian believe it is possible. 

Concerned that their dairy farm was both financially and environmentally unsustainable, the Hogg family decided to return to their organic roots. Sam Hogg led the farm's conversion to permaculture - and increased their profits by a staggering 500%. He talks to Susie Ferguson about how he did it!

Would you date an artificial intelligence companion? James Muldoon did. 

The Doubtful Sounds choir is all about making beautiful noise. Directed by RNZ's very own Bryan Crump, the award-winning community choir performs live for Saturday Morning.

It's a massive night tonight for footy fans, with Auckland FC facing off against Sydney FC in the A-League Grand Final at Go Media Stadium. CEO Nick Becker speaks about the club's explosive rise in just two seasons as momentum builds to the main event.