Podcasts about Aotearoa

This week on the Tuesday Wire...  For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director Castor spoke to MP Simon Court about making English an official language of Aotearoa and reducing the minimum proposed homes for Auckland down to 1.6 million.  They also spoke to Dr. Mohsen Mohammadzadeh from the University of Auckland's school of architecture and planning about PC 120 and how to best develop Auckland as a city for the future.  And producer Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning, Timothy Welch, about the Infrastructure Commission's suggestion of a $9 toll on the harbour bridge, whether it's the right move, and what it means for Auckland's Infrastructure planning.

On today's episode, we're hearing how Australian farmers are keeping their grapes sun safe.Plus, we're meeting a man named Bruce who stumbled upon a fossil!Quiz Questions1. What are grape growers putting on their grapes to protect them from the sun?2. What country did the school kids travel to?3. What type of dinosaur did the fossilised footprint belong to?4. How many animals did Ingrid and her children save from Daly River?5. What is the name of the micronation?Answers1. Sunscreen2. Aotearoa or New Zealand3. A Sauropodomorph4. 10 dogs and 1 cat5. Verdis

Today Jesse continues through the A-Z of Aotearoa. Today it's the letter P for Pies.

A fast-track consent is currently being sought for a major gold mine in Cromwell, Central Otago.  This follows the approval of a controversial $8 billion dollar mine that received fast-track approval for the Coromandel in December.  Local response has largely presented environmental concerns, and raise questions of alternative initiatives for mineral mining in Aotearoa.  Producer Jasmine Gray spoke to Sue Coutts, Director of External Affairs at Zero Waste Aotearoa, about the potential of e-waste and a circular economy for mining gold and other materials.

Flooding, landslides, wild winds, these extreme weather events can leave many of you feeling overwhelmed about the state of our climate and what we could be facing in the future. But help could be at hand. The Climatics is a new people-powered climate fund that says it'll offer a practical way to take action by pooling money from everyday Kiwis and directing those funds to the climate groups doing systems-change work in Aotearoa. The Climatics co-founders Pip Wheaton and MJ Bethell chat to Jesse.

The Sidebars take a moment to recover from their harrowing encounter at the sky farm and use unconventional means to get more information out of the (mysterious? frustrating?) doctor and professor.  Featuring:Erika Jayne as Taryn GrimSeverin Gourley as Dexter ClementineKasia Wayfinder as Granny Sabinkaand Julz Burgisser as DMVisit www.fateofisen.com to learn more.Fate of Isen is one of the Feedspot top D&D podcasts in the world! Check out Feedspot here.If you like the show, please feel free to follow us on social media (@fateofisen) or support us on Patreon! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Intro, outro, and recap music by freesound user, Tyops, and ambient sound by TabletopAudio.com

(00:00) NRL Māori v Indigenous(11:30) Melie Kerr & HBJ Shield(30:50) Mindfulness(34:28) Blackcaps(44:27) Ford Trophy(49:35) NZ Breakers(55:18) NZ Warriors(01:11:44) Penrith Panthers(01:17:18) Phoenix Women(01:43:00) Phoenix Men vs Auckland FC This week in the Niche Cache we enter the Melie Kerr era. She was announced as White Ferns captain and we chat through Kerr's leadership ability, as well as previewing the HBJ Shield final between Wellington and Northern Districts. Then we check in with the Blackcaps at the T20 World Cup and how Rachin Ravindra's bowling has been better than his batting, plus a dip for Jacob Duffy. NZ Breakers missed the NBL finals but still have the glorious Ignite Cup to look forward to. NZ Warriors lost their NRL preseason game vs Sea Eagles and didn't show any funky additions to their mediocre attacking movements, while a bunch of Kiwi-NRL juniors caught the eye for Penrith Panthers as they build out their Aotearoa flavour. Then we finish with a stinky loss for Wellington Phoenix women and Aotearoa A-League derby prep for the men.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/elnichecacheSubstack: https://thenichecache.substack.comDonate: https://buymeacoffee.com/thenichecachethenichecache@gmail.com

A Wellington plastic surgeon is patching up dog attack victims on a weekly basis with some injuries so severe they're life changing. She believes Aotearoa needs to review animal control laws and consider mandatory reporting of bites and dog related injuries requiring medical treatment. Doctor Emily Yassaie spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Wellington, failure at the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has led to millions of liters of wastewater being sent into the Cook Strait.  The incident has shed light on what scientific experts have been saying for years — that water infrastructure in New Zealand is out of date and incapable of handling the growing effect of climate challenges without deeper investment. The Salvation Army released their State of the Nation report which has found an increase in issues across the justice system, child welfare, and poverty contributing to declining social equality in Aotearoa. As well, NZ First leader Winston Peters is campaigning on a referendum on Māori seats in New Zealand. Wire Host Sara spoke to National MP Ryan Hamilton about all of these topics, starting with Moa Point. 

Artificial Intelligence has become a part of our lives today and can do everything that humans once relied on their education and expertise for. However, in her latest article for Newsroom, the University of Auckland's Senior Lecturer of Marketing, Professor Shahper Richter, says humans get to decide AI's future.  She says the values programmed into AI softwares don't necessarily fit the culture in Aotearoa, and that humans can still take their autonomy back from AI. 

There are hopes Auckland's new International Convention Centre will be a huge drawcard for international delegates. A Business Events Industry Aotearoa report reveals the sector delivered $925 million for the economy last year. It shows international delegates here for conferences spent $645 daily on average – higher than holiday visitors. CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking they're in growth mode with the new convention centre coming online. She says they now have a strong suite of convention centres across the country, which gives them a broader opportunity to take businesses of different sizes, different needs, and different requirements. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial Intelligence has become a part of our lives today and can do everything that humans once relied on their education and expertise for. However, in her latest article for Newsroom, the University of Auckland's Senior Lecturer of Marketing, Professor Shahper Richter, says humans get to decide AI's future.  She says the values programmed into AI softwares don't necessarily fit the culture in Aotearoa, and that humans can still take their autonomy back from AI. 

The Alliance Party officially launched its campaign for the 2026 General Election at its National Conference in Christchurch over the weekend. Members from across Aotearoa gathered at the Trade Union Centre to ratify the party's constitution, elect national officers, and confirm the policy platform for the upcoming election. The President of the Alliance Party is Victor Billot and he joins us tonight LIVE at 9pm.Dr Grant Duncan joins us tonight LIVE at 9.30 to talk about his latest Substack on David Seymour's "State of the Nation" speech when Duncan calls our Seymour's games of Libertarian "freedom" and, among other conclusions, writes "populist tactics worked for ACT only so long as National was weak. [Rodney] Hide was ACT Party leader from 2004 to 2011, overseeing their humiliating decline from nine seats to just two in 2005. He was dumped as party leader in April 2011, to be replaced by an even less competent politician: Don Brash. ACT then fell to 1% and below. The market had spoken."See Grant's Substack here https://grantduncanphd.substack.comAndrew Eagles from the New Zealand Green Building Council joined Q&A on Sunday with an exclusive new analysis that outlines why his organisation believes the LNG import terminal plan is a mistake, and why a different plan for massive uptake of solar and heat pump hot water systems would work better.++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

This week Clancy and Errol attempt to finally answer a question that has plagued Australians for generations: what’s the go with New Zealand? From their polite accents and suspiciously competent rugby teams to their intense loyalty to provincial towns nobody here has heard of, this episode unpacks our strange cousins across the ditch. Thankfully, Kiwi comedian and New Zealand Today creator Guy Williams drops in to explain the cultural quirks, small-town politics, tall poppy syndrome and national psyche of Aotearoa... and why Australians still somehow don’t quite get it. Get tickets to Guy Williams' Australia tour here! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of the Īhu series, The Legacy of the Gospel, Ps Ants Cuthers explores the powerful story behind Aotearoa's literacy revival and the role of Henry Williams in bringing the gospel to Māori in their own language. this message reveals a life-changing truth: context is everything. When we take the time to understand people's stories, perspectives, and cultures, compassion replaces judgment and the gospel becomes clear. Discover how the principle of “becoming all things to all people” sparked one of the greatest revivals in history—and how it can transform our relationships, our church, and our mission today.

Send us a message!We travel to New Zealand for this episode of Cryptids. We are discussing the guardian, Taniwha, and the wild forest people, Maero. Music is by Alexander Nakarada.Support the show

In the latest series of Origins, Scotty Morrison follows in the footsteps of the first explorers and settlers of Aotearoa. From time at sea on a voyaging waka under traditional navigation techniques to snow-capped peaks, he traces the first landings, accompanying archeologists as they link artifacts to those journeys. Scotty speaks with Mihingarangi about the process of filming such an epic journey and the responsibility he feels to share it.

Fiji's only professional circus is set to have its Aotearoa debut in just a few days' time. An off shoot of renowned Fiji performance arts company VOU, the Fijian Flying Circus is a world-first fusion of indigenous storytelling and contemporary circus. Featuring aerial acts, acrobatics, dance and drama, it is a celebration of culture. The group is performing at Hannahs PlayHouse in Wellington from the 17th to the 22nd of February as part of this year's Fringe Festival. They're also headlining the Hamilton Arts Festival on the 27th and 28th of February. Susie's joined by Artistic Director Navi Fong and three members of the troupe who'll perform some live music from the show.

Cashing up clutter is becoming a national obsession. But there's still billions of dollars' worth of pre-loved goods lying idle in homes around Aotearoa according to a new report on the so-called circular economy. The report commissioned by Trademe surveyed 4000 New Zealand based people in October and November last year. The results show about 75 percent of them currently have unused or unwanted items they could sell. Head of Trade Me Marketplace, Lisa Stewart spoke to Lisa Owen.

Rosetta had a kōrero with the legendary Bic Runga about her first record of all-original material in 15 years, Red Sunset - out today! You can catch Bic touring across Aotearoa this March, alongside Silicon. Whakarongo mai nei!

Fiona Connor is an Aotearoa born artist currently based in LA. Connor has an expansive sculptural practice in which she produces site specific installations, that really play with the spaces inherent architecture. Developing this conceptually enriched sculptural language that seeks to shift objects, and their environments through this process of reproduction. Her current show on at Coastal Signs, Blanket Games includes 5 large-scale drawings of segments of hurricane fencing. In which Connor utilises an alternative method of drawing, monoprinting. A method that demands a different kind of connection. Allowing her to not only record the object of the fence itself, but also of her own body's movements during the making of the work. Smudges, and scuffs, made from the weight of her body while tracing the fence intertwining within the woven marks of the lattice fence. Creating a beautiful frottage of the body, and it's record of interaction. Alongside her individual practice, Connor is passionate about creating, and being amongst artist run initiatives. So in light of Connor's collaborative projects Maya also spoke to her and Bailey Connelly about their latest artist run collective, Polyhymnia.

Questions to Ministers Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Does he stand by all his statements and actions regarding liquefied natural gas? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on Investment Boost? LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What legislation is she currently progressing? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by all his statements and actions related to supporting Police's front line? ORIINI KAIPARA to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What assurances can she give to Maori, and to all vulnerable communities in Aotearoa, that they will not be harmed by the Online Casino Gambling Bill? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Local Government: What advice has he asked for or received about the risk of more wastewater disasters like that at Moa Point, noting that the water regulator says about a third of wastewater plants are operating with expired consents? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement, "The Government is committed to the Roads of National Significance"? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Housing: What progress has Kainga Ora made on its turnaround plan? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister for Energy: What is the total estimated cost of infrastructure and annual lease fees over 15 years for the proposed liquefied natural gas import terminal? Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL to the Minister of Climate Change: Does he agree with Hon Nicola Willis that "New Zealand globally contributes an absolutely tiny proportion of overall emissions"; if so, is this an indication the Government has given up on goals to reduce our emissions? MAUREEN PUGH to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made regarding conservation concessions? LEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Is she still confident that firefighters have the appliances and equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively; if so, why?

$1,000,000 is on the line. It's the biggest prize in Aotearoa radio history. There are 100 envelopes. 99 envelopes have $10,000, and ONE envelope hides a life changing $1,000,000. Our Finalist Tamara had her shot at scoring big, and this is how it all went down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of Waitangi is often told through debate, tension, and broken promises. But what if, before it became a political conversation, it was first a relational one? In this message from our Ihu: The Legacy of the Gospel series, we explore the arrival of the gospel in Aotearoa and why the Treaty of Waitangi was understood by early missionaries and Māori as a covenant — a sacred partnership built on relationship, responsibility, and trust. By tracing the Bible's story of covenant through Abraham, Sinai, King David, and ultimately Jesus, we discover that covenant has always been God's way of restoring broken relationships. This message moves beyond history and politics to ask a deeper question: What does it look like to live righteously — to do right by people — today? As we conclude at the communion table, we're reminded that the ultimate covenant was not sealed with words, but with Jesus' body and blood — a faithfulness that invites us into renewed relationship with God and with one another. This is a conversation about legacy, relationship, and the gospel lived out — then and now.

Things are continuing to flourish in Queenstown. The mid-scale ‘Holiday Inn Express & Suites', which boasts 277 rooms in the City Centre, is being refurbished to become ‘voco Queenstown' – part of IHG's premium portfolio. The move targets high-end tourism, with the hotel running at around 90% occupancy for nine months of the year. Hotel Council Aotearoa Strategic Director James Doolan told Mike Hosking that it's normal to think about renovating and repositioning every seven to ten years, but upgrading to the next level is an encouraging sign. He says central government's increased investment in event attraction and destination marketing has allowed private businesses to invest in their assets. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

INTERVIEW: Breton Dukes on new book 'Party Boy' + launch party @Woof! by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

Since 2018 there's been a massive effort underway to clear over 110,000 hectares of South Westland of possums, rats and stoats. As the pest numbers have dropped the native flora and fauna seem to have flourished. The eradication stage is now nearing completion, and the focus is switching to maintenance. What will it take to keep the pests out long-term? And what can be learned from this large-scale project that could be used elsewhere in Aotearoa? Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:Read/Listen to the rest of the reports from Tess Brunton's reporting trip to the West Coast, about the eradication project, the work of species dogs, the feedback from tour operators and how rowi, New Zealand's rarest kiwi, has been helped come back from the brink.For more on the use of AI in pest management project, listen to how the Southern Lakes Sanctuary team have been making use of it at Wye Creek.Guests:Chad Cottle, Predator Free South WestlandEthan Perry, Predator Free South WestlandNate St Hill, Predator Free South WestlandPouri Rakete-Stones, Predator Free South WestlandDion Arnold, White Heron Sanctuary ToursGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

INTERVIEW: Nat Boltt on new film 'Holy Days' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Will Hanlon from Groove Council on new EP 'In Session' + show @Pearl Diver by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

INTERVIEW: Tane Cotton on new live music video series 'WarPossumTV' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

New Zealand wine stands at a fork in the road. One path leads towards corporate behemoths churning out industrial quantities of mass-market Sauvignon Blanc; the other features increasingly refined, site-specific wines across a range of styles that compete with the world's very best. Which will it be?In this New Zealand Wines of the Year feature, we take you behind the scenes after tasting hundreds of wines to get to grips with what's really going on in Kiwi wine.We highlight the best producers, what they're doing and why. And we throw more than a few big calls out there - for example, why New Zealand Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is currently getting our vote over Burgundy...and why fizz should be part of New Zealand's wine future.We're privileged to be joined by New Zealand wine royalty in the shape of Helen Masters (Ata Rangi), Matt Thomson (Blank Canvas), Matt Sutherland (Dog Point), Kevin Judd (Greywacke), Ed Donaldson (Pegasus Bay)...and part-time actor, full-time wine superstar Sam Neill (Two Paddocks).This episode is published in tandem with a full report on our website, which is free to download and comes with tons of information and opinion, from vintage summaries to planting stats, plus the odd map: New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026 ReportThanks to New Zealand Winegrowers for facilitating this Wines of the Year initiative, and to the wineries for supporting. This episode is dedicated to the memory of James Healy, who sadly died in early 2026. Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find all details from this episode, including the full report, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S7 E17 - New Zealand Wines of the Year 2026To support the show, enjoy subscriber-only bonus content as well as early access to all episodes plus full archive access, not to mention subscriber benefits and giveaways, subscribe to Wine Blast PLUS at wineblast.co.ukInstagram: @susieandpeter

INTERVIEW: Miles Calder on new track 'You Could Lose It' by Maddy Barnes on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

While the country has been dragged into a devastating war, one man is ensuring that rugby stays alive in Ukraine, and young players have a possible path to safety. Anton Shashero is coach of Ukraine's national under 16 side, and thanks to sponsorships has spent the week in Aotearoa learning from some of the best in the business. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

We're making our way through the alphabet diving deep into all things Kiwiana - looking at the people, places and moments that make up New Zealand. We're up to the letter 'O' so today we'll be discussing the "big O.E" the overseas experience that's long been a rite of passage for young New Zealanders. Over the next half hour, we'll hear from someone who went to London and never came back, a teenage traveller who did things a little differently and what an OE looks like in 2026.

INTERVIEW: Josh Burgess & Charlie Ryder from Yumi Zouma on new album 'No Love Lost to Kindness' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

A pediatric specialist is urging Aotearoa's drug agency to fund weight loss drugs for teenagers. A Pharmac advisory panel has provisionally recommended funding Wegovy for chronic weight management in people with high BMI's and associated conditions. Professor of paediatric endocrinology at the Liggins Institute, Wayne Cutfield spoke to Lisa Owen.

You can support this show on Patreon⁠⁠!In this episode, I talk to Tim Denee, a Wellington-based graphic designer, illustrator, and game designer. His graphic design work has been recognised by the Best Awards, Tokyo Design Week and the International Society of Typographic Designers. He's also the co-author of We Are Here: An Atlas of Aotearoa, which was shortlisted for the Ockham NZ Book Awards. Through Old Dog Games, he's published free RPG products like a hack of Band of Blades for playing in the Warhammer old world and last year, a hack for Twilight 2000 to play Andor. And recently, he's partnered with Evil Hat to release Deathmatch Island, a battle royale adaptation of Agon, and crowdfunding now, Blades '68, an expansion for the seminal Blades in the Dark. Tim's personal website: https://timdenee.com/ Old Dog Games: https://www.olddog.games/ Blades ‘68 crowdfunding: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/c7788a1e-2f1c-4525-bc66-2a99b84ebae9/landing Show Notes:Austin PowersMad Men (TV Show)Games MentionedDeathloopDishonoredMythic BastionlandIf you liked this podcast, check out the weekly Indie RPG NewsletterMusic: "eastern" provided by mobygratis.

Send us a textEpisode 247Before treaties were signed and borders were fixed on maps, power in Aotearoa was measured in mana — authority earned, defended, and sometimes taken by force. Few figures embodied that struggle more clearly than Hōne Heke.Born into a high-ranking Ngāpuhi family in the early nineteenth century, Hōne Heke came of age during a time of enormous change. Muskets were reshaping warfare, missionaries were reshaping belief, and the British Empire was beginning to reshape the future of Māori land and leadership. Heke was intelligent, restless, and deeply political. He understood the new world arriving on New Zealand's shores better than many of the men who claimed to rule it.To some, he was a rebel. To others, a patriot. Hōne Heke believed that sovereignty — real power — was slipping away from Māori chiefs under British control. His response was symbolic, dramatic, and unforgettable: the repeated cutting down of the flagstaff at Kororāreka. Each strike was a message, not just of resistance, but of warning.This is the story of a man who challenged an empire, not because he rejected change, but because he refused submission. A leader driven by pride, principle, and an unshakable belief in Māori authority — and one of the first to test the limits of British power in New Zealand.Support the showInsta@justpassingthroughpodcastContact:justpassingthroughpodcast@gmail.com

INTERVIEW: Rosetta Stone from Psycho Gab on new track 'Compass' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

A Dunedin Wildlife Hospital suspects modern windows could be to blame for an increasing number of serious injuries in Aotearoa's native wood pigeon or Kereru. Window strike is the most common reason for Kereru ending up in hospital, hundreds of them over the past few years. Survival rates are also down to due to the severity of the injuries. General manager of Wildlife Hospital Dunedin, Suzanne Stephenson spoke to Lisa Owen.

INTERVIEW: Jade Lewis & Hon from Club Ruby on sophomore EP 'Don't Gaslight Me' by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

Grace Brown is a 2025 Winston Churchill Fellow whose work focuses on reimagining accessibility for deaf and neurodivergent learners. She brings a rare blend of creative agency experience, kaupapa‑driven communication, and lived expertise as a multilingual, neurodivergent Māori communicator. Grace has worked across some of Aotearoa's most recognisable campaigns, weaving together English, te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language to make information clearer, kinder, and more culturally grounded. Her Fellowship will take her to the UK to explore how AR, digital media, and global accessibility design can transform the way we teach and learn NZSL back home.

Nicola Evans is a space holder and weaver of gentle pathways back to coherence. Born in Aotearoa and now residing at Evolve Sanctuary, a retreat centre in the ancient Wollumbin caldera, of the Bundjalung nation. She lives in deep relationship with land, breath, and the more than human world. Nicola is a Chajin in the Global Tea Hut lineage, a guide of breath and sound, and a steward of equine and elemental wisdom. Through regenerative farming, temple tending, and harmonic practices such as Biomancy, Biofield Tuning, and the Way of Tea, she offers a living field where people can remember the intelligence of their own bodies and the language of deep listening. At the heart of everything Nicola shares, is a devotion to connection: between humans and horses, breath and body, land and Spirt, stillness and movement.Instagram: @memoirs.of.a.wild.oneSend us a textSupport the showCan't get enough of the Journey On Podcast & it's guests? Here are two more ways to engage with them. Find exclusive educational content from previous podcast guests which include webinars, course and more: https://courses.warwickschiller.com If you want to meet your favorite podcast guest in person, you can attend our annual Journey On Podcast Summit either in person or via live stream: https://summit.warwickschiller.com Become a Patreon Member today! Get access to podcast bonus segments, ask questions to podcast guests, and even suggest future podcast guests while supporting Warwick: https://www.patreon.com/journeyonpodcastWarwick has over 900 Online Training Videos that are designed to create a relaxed, connected, and skilled equine partner. Start your horse training journey today!https://videos.warwickschiller.com/Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarwickschillerfanpageWatch hundreds of free Youtube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/warwickschillerFollow us on Instagram: @warwickschiller

Ingka Investments, the parent company of furniture giant Ikea, now owns 30,000 hectares of forestry in Aotearoa. It's first purchase saw the conversion of Wisp Hill Station in southern Otago from farmland to timber production forestry. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:Josh Cairns, Southern ForestsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

We're kicking off our 21st year of NZ Live and today I'm joined by Theia in Studio B Theia's debut album Girl in a Savage world has received rave reviews, you may remember we gave away her album last year Theia joins us ahead of a limited run of shows here in Aotearoa before she heads off for a tour across North America

After the undercurrents is a new exhibition bringing together the work of two senior painters, Australian artist Gordon Bennett and Tāmaki-based Emily Karaka, opening tonight at Artspace Aotearoa.  Gordon Bennett was a Brisbane-based artist who is widely recognised as one of Australia's most significant and critically engaged contemporary practitioners. His practice moved between these different phases – from often more abstract forms, to his conscious appropriation of Basquiat to create these cross-cultural dialogues, to the work made under the name of ‘John Citizen' as a means to question identity and politics of categorisation in Australian art – seeking to map alternative histories and question the status quo through these various forms.  His work has been paired with Tāmaki-based painter Emily Karaka whose practice draws on the personal and political through these diverse art making traditions, vibrant colours, and historical narratives that guide her. Grounded in the cultural and political landscape of Aotearoa, her work articulates emotional intensity and her unique perspective, speaking to her long-standing advocacy for kaitiakitanga and mana motuhake.  In After the undercurrents, with both artists drawing on their respective narratives of place and indigenous worldviews, the pairing allows the viewer to contemplate Artspace Aotearoa's annual question for 2026: ‘Which history?' Sof had a kōrero with Kaitohu Director of Artspace Aotearoa, Ruth Buchanan, about the show and Gordon Bennett and Emily Karaka's respective practices.

A New Zealander who had his leg amputated after being severely injured while fighting in Ukraine says he sung Aotearoa's national anthem to keep himself going during his excruciating rescue. Khol Gillies had to wait days to be evacuated from the battlefield because fierce fighting made it virutally impossible to reach him. Gillies, originally from Hawkes Bay had been in Ukraine for six months fighting as a volunteer. Gillies spoke to Lisa Owen.

A new domestic exchange programme will soon let students swap cities as easily as they swap courses. Otago, AUT and Victoria University of Wellington have launched Uni Exchange Aotearoa, giving second-year undergraduates the chance to study at another university for a semester. The scheme offers students a taste of travel without the challenges of going overseas. Victoria University Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith told Mike Hosking New Zealand can actually offer a real diversity of experience within its universities. He says the programme is designed to be at no cost to the students, so the decision can be made on the experience they want to have instead of a financial barrier. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it really like to bikepack the Tour Aotearoa on New Zealand's North Island? In this midweek episode, Rebecca Gross shares her experience riding the TA, including the Timber Trail, Warm Showers hospitality, lush North Island scenery, and how well the route is managed with clear detours for trickier sections.If you are planning your own TA ride or curious about what makes this route so unique, Rebecca's update offers up great practical insight into terrain, logistics, the NZ Bike Adventure community, and what to expect when riding the trail.Later in the episode I also share where our Seek Travel Ride listeners on Instagram are planning to ride in 2026 Also be sure to check out the  Snailblazers events happening in Ireland by @SnailBlazers.cc - You can sign up for more info about them via their contact form. Check out Old Man Mountain for the perfect way to carry gear on your bike. Support the showBuy me a coffee! I'm an affiliate for a few brands I genuinely use and recommend including:

This week on the Wednesday Wire... For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party, Wire host Manny spoke with MP Ricardo Menéndez March about the fatal slip in Tauranga, Luxons refusal to rule out joining Trumps board of peace, and the New Zealand Defence Forces incorporation of drones. Producer Flo spoke to Dr John Battersby, senior fellow for the center for defence and security studies at Massey University about current global security, the practical absence of an international rule based order and implications of US foreign policy on New Zealand. Then Manny spoke to the Coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Tāmaki Makaurau, Carol Cowan, on their demands for government action on climate change. Finaly Producer Theo spoke with Lindsey Horne, spokesperson and committee member for the transport advocacy group The Future is Rail, about regional rail in Aotearoa and the future of Te Huia.