Podcasts about life and society

Space it seems, is no longer the final frontier, in fact it's rapidly becoming an adventure holiday option for billionaires. As we saw with Space X's IPO launch, people are very interested in the idea of setting up a base on Mars and even what asteroid mining could look like. But how does that actually all work? In a place where the laws here on earth don't apply - is space just finders' keepers, first to plant the flag gets the land? To help answer those questions and more. Aotearoa's premier space law expert Anna Marie Brennan chats to Emile.

Most libraries lend out books. The Human Library lends out people. Founded in Denmark, the global initiative gives people the chance to sit down with a "human book" and have a candid conversation that challenges assumptions and stereotypes through lived experience. One of those human books is Sean Kemball from Whangarei. Diagnosed with ADHD later in life, he spent years wondering why he experienced the world differently from those around him. Receiving a diagnosis helped him make sense of challenges that had followed him since childhood and gave him a new understanding of himself. Through conversations in the Human Library, he shares what it's like to live with ADHD and what changed once he finally had answers.

 A resident in the steeply walled valley street of Wellington's Holloway Road says they can only escape the noise of Wellington Water's ongoing night-time works by wearing earmuffs over their headphones as they watch TV. Some locals are furious about the month's of work going ahead to refresh the nearly 100 year old wastewater pipes in the area. Meanwhile, another resident says the water supplier has agreed to put him up elsewhere, after a rough first night when the project began. Bill Hickman has more.        

After getting a stay of execution earlier this year, the lions from the former Kamo Wildlife Park are on the mend. Carolyn Press-McKenzie, who helped save the lions, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

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 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.

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.

Wellington has a new local celebrity. and he's got fur. A black cat called Azuki Bean is inviting himself into homes and shops. Sammy Carter visited the cat at his home on The Terrace.

Dr Catherine Knight is one of the organisers of The Reality of Everything symposium, and she joins Susana Lei'ataua.

Alden's Rosedale Retirement Village is staving off loneliness among its elderly residents with visits from local pre-schoolers. Amy Williams reports.

Older Southlanders could soon be jetting off to Europe, or swimming with dolphins without leaving home, thanks to virtual reality. For the past two months, Age Concern Southland has been running VR headset trials with their volunteers. Its manager Janette Turner spoke to John Campbell.

The Inclusive Performance Academy Canterbury runs classes in stage, screen, music and movement for disabled people, and puts on two original shows devised from their ideas each year. Its founder Fiona McKenzie spoke to John Campbell.

Heading Off is our weekly segment where we take you on adventures from the comfort of your home. If you've got a travel tale you'd like to share, we'd love to hear it, get in touch via 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz and we might be in touch. Today we're off to the Azores, off mainland Portugal, where our guest Sarah Schmitt got the chance to experience life as a research scientist on a 10-day whale tracking expedition.

Thousands of animals are needing foster homes this winter, and it's not just cats and dogs. There are plenty of the farmyard variety. Viv Moore, SPCA's National Foster and Volunteer Manager spoke to Lisa Owen.

Journalist and commentator Anna Fifield joins Emile Donovan to explain.

A major new retirement village overlooking Auckland's waterfront at Mission Bay has been given the green light under the government's fast track approvals process. Ngati Whatua Orakei Trust Chair, Marama Royal spoke to John Campbell.

For some older New Zealanders, the relentless march of the digital age is leading to a loss of social connection and even limiting their access to essential services. New research out of the University of Auckland has found that technostress is causing many older people to feel shut out by the digital world. Matthew Theunissen reports.

Even after marrying and having two further children, Barbara Docherty spent years searching for her eldest two children. 

New Zealand researchers are warning climate change may mean an increase in bacteria infected seafood and the water itself. The group of waterborne bacteria called Vibrio can cause stomach bugs, infect cuts if you're swimming in it, and seafood containing the bacteria can also make you sick. The bacteria flourish in a warm environment. Science Leader at the NZ Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science, Nicola King, spoke to Lisa Owen.

A nurse is calling for improvements to a fatal intersection on a popular holiday highway between Auckland and the Coromandel. There have been a number of fatal and serious injury accidents at the intersection of SH25 and Hauraki Road, known as Orongo corner. Local nurse Fiona Lagae is pushing for a review and remodel of the blackspot and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Next time you're in a shared public space, like a supermarket, or museum, take a closer look at the people around you.

With the iconic venue facing closure, locals are rallying to save a place they say has become part of the fabric of the neighbourhood.

Fisheries Minister denies impact of bottom trawling; Most charter schools exceed attendance and achievement targets; Waikato medical students to be placed in regions from 2029; Knitting campaign captures hearts of knitters across country; Timaru girls choir goes viral following Big Sing performance

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.

Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology to chat about relationships. Do let us know if there are any issues you would like Kirsty and me to cover at afternoons@rnz.co.nz Today they are looking at the challenges facing the 'sandwich generation'.

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.

In part two, record low alcohol consumption has some arguing that the government should reconsider the excise tax. Eddie Gapper, Vice-Chair of the Brewer's Guild of NZ explains why he thinks they should take a second look. Then, after a sell-out first season 19-year-old Claudia Hopkin's ice cream cart was stolen, ending her business dreams. But there's a happy ending to this story.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: 48 teams will be playing across USA, Canada and Mexico in the football World Cup and heat stress will be a factor as summer reaches its height in North America. FIFA has installed cooling breaks to help, but is it enough? Wallace talks to Professor Julien Périard, the Director of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise at the University of Canberra about how heat stress works and how to mitigate it.

The Good Sex Project is back for a third season.

With the Football World Cup kicking off in a little over 24 hours, there will be many balls in the back of the net over the coming weeks. But one little penguin unfortunately found itself tangled in a football net in a New Plymouth garden. Ten -year-old Ezra made the discovery, before alerting his grandmother, Jackie Tomlinson who spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A lead actor named Chris was more likely to headline one of the UK's top-grossing films over the past three years than a woman over 60. Even talking animals came out ahead according to a new study from the UK's Age Without Limits campaign. Animals were four times more likely to be the central character than an older woman. More than two decades ago, actress Geena Davis decided to challenge Hollywood's blind spots by founding the Geena Davis Institute, which tracks who gets seen and who gets left out and how women of all ages are portrayed. Madeline Di Nonno is the Institute's President and CEO where they use data to help the entertainment industry see what's missing on the screen.

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.

In part two, apricot or biscotti? Those are two of the options Timaru councillors chose from for a paint job at the Theatre Royal. Then, you've heard of board game cafes, but how about a remote control cafe? A spot in Auckland's Mt Eden lets people send diggers around a sandpit as they sip their coffee.

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.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: resident linguist Rory O'Sullivan answers a listener question about whether there is such thing as a correct emphasis on certain syllables in each word.

A former Warrior has opened up about his off-field struggles with depression and substance abuse as he battled with his sexual identity. Kane Evans has become just the second NRL player in history to publicly come out as gay. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Joining the show to tell us all about it is visitor host Sully Cook.

Each week Jesse chats to a local club, which means Jesse could be taking you pigeon racing, knitting, or off to play backgammon. If you've got a club you want Jesse to join, please get in touch 2101 or Jesse@rnz.co.nz Today we're joined by Richard Feltham.

In June 1986, for one week, the Northern Waikato town of Otorohanga officially renamed itself 'Harrodsville'. Exactly why is layed out in the new 'Harrodsville 40th Anniversary' exhibition at Otorohanga Museum, which is running from now until the end of June. Here to share the details is Otorohanga Mayor Rodney Dow.

The annual muster of wild horses in the central North Island is underway but there's concern about how many can find new homes.The animals live on Defence Force land near Waiouru and the musters are an important part of keeping the population in check, to protect the alpine environment. Rehoming efforts are proving difficult this year too. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham has more.

Iwi leader responds to pounamu smuggling case; New report highlights inequities in healthcare access; Nate Wilbourne discusses making prestigious Forbes list; Employment service uses lived experience to find jobs; Hurricanes CEO Tony Philp speaks to John Campbell.

Afternoons podcast critic Linda Burgess joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to: Better Known (Ivan Wise) Homing (Matt Giberd)

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.

The job description for fathers has changed. Once upon a time, dads were expected to provide a paycheck, lay down the rules, and keep the garden tidy. Today, many men want more. Men want to be present, emotionally connected, and deeply involved in their children's lives. Kevin Maguire has spent years writing honestly about what happens when ambition, career success and old expectations collide with modern fatherhood. For his new book, he draws on his popular Substack and newsletter, exploring the challenges facing today's dads, the old scripts many are trying to rewrite, and why fatherhood may change men as much as it changes their children. The book is called The New Fatherhood: Why Everything They Told You About Being a Dad Is Wrong and How Embracing It Will Transform Your Life. Book website is HERE Quiz is HERE

Every Tuesday we get your help solving an issue. This week we are looking at disciplining other people's kids. Should you? Text 2101 or email us afternoons@rnz.co.nz your thoughts!

The pre-Panel

Afternoons weekly segment where we explore the unknown. If you have a spooky tale to share do get in touch on 2101. Today's story comes from Lindsay Wood.

An Auckland woman who has been attacked more than once by dogs on her street is now too afraid to walk her dog outside her gate. A resident in a neighbouring suburb said the problem of roaming dogs is making her consider moving. Auckland council agrees uncontrolled dogs are a problem and is hoping for changes to 30-year-old Dog Control legislation. Jessica Hopkins reports.

The Norsewear Farm Fleck style socks were worn by Sir Edmund Hillary on various expeditions and have graced posters and magazine covers. Until now, the socks have been in the Hillary family's private collection. But they're being loaned to their makers, Norsewear and will go on display, in a protective case no less at Field Days. Tim Deane from Norsewear spoke to Lisa Owen.

Christine Dawood's husband and 19- year-old son died on board the doomed Titan submersible. Today she refuses to blame anyone for the tragedy. She tells Susie Ferguson the whole story.