Podcasts about life and society

Christmas is fast approaching, and if you're looking for a gift for the gardeners in your life, Hannah Zwartz might just have the answers. 

We're all aware of the benefits of children playing sport; learning to work as part of a team, increasing fitness, developing self-confidence, the list goes on. But these benefits can only be realised if children have positive experiences. A recent International Olympic Committee consensus statement found that between 44 per cent and 86 per cent of children experience interpersonal violence in sport environments this includes bullying, sexism, racism, homophobia, and sexual abuse. New research has raised questions about the current approaches to stopping abuse in children's sport and has highlighted the role local councils can play in problematic behaviour. Lead researcher from Melbourne's Monash University Dr Erik Denison has spent over a decade studying ways to stop discrimination and abuse in sport in Australia and New Zealand. He Joins Jesse.

It's fair to say businesses in almost every industry, right across the country, have been doing it tough recently. Which is why it is so good to celebrate excellence and shout out about those doing well. The Deloitte 200 awards were announced last night with the top awards going to the places and people powering our economy and innovation Lead judge, and business journalist Fran O' Sullivan joins Jesse.

Every week before 2pm we delve into your strangest and spookiest experiences. As always if you have one to share, drop us a message on 2101 and our producers will be in touch. Today Jesse is speaking to Marian in North Waikato.

A former addict who spent years going in and out of jail says the only real way out is through specialist courts that treat addiction. Morning Report producer Rayssa Almeida reports.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says tenants should negotiate a rent decrease, as rents fall. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has some tips and spoke to Corin Dann.

A vandal's been at work disrupting the Matairangi/Mt Victoria mountain bike tracks - leaving logs on tracks, digging holes and creating makeshift barricades through the week. Local rider Rod Bardsley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

For more than three decades, residents have decorated their homes for everyone to enjoy.

It's officially the festive season, and businesses are preparing to shut up shop for the holidays. Sarah Hussey owns three cafes throughout Dunedin called The Perc, and will be shutting two as it is not worth it financially to stay open. She spoke to Corin Dann.

With the Christmas shopping season well and truly in swing - sometimes it's easier to do the Christmas shopping online instead of battling the crowds. Chris Wilkinson, Managing Director of the First Retail Group spoke to Corin Dann.

The highly anticipated opening of Swedish furniture company IKEA in New Zealand this week comes as a rural community worries about the fire risk from pine planting. RNZ's reporter Alexa Cook reports from Tairawhiti Hawke's Bay.

Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson are in studio with Jesse to talk about all the content clogging up their group chats.

Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson are in studio with Jesse to talk about all the content clogging up their group chats.

A New Zealander has been crowned the inaugural Costume Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. Kate Hawley spoke to Corin Dann.

The caretaker of the campground hit by a tornado in Manawatu yesterday says they're lucky no one was more seriously injured, or killed; Investigators have identified a defect that led to an Airbus A320 aircraft engine suddenly shutting off en route from Wellington to Sydney a year ago; As peace talks with Russia stall once again, New Zealand is committing $15 million to help arm Ukraine's soldiers; After years of anticipation, IKEA is about to open its doors to the New Zealand public; New data out today shows almost a third of kiwi workers often dread going to work, rising to 40% among Gen Z workers. Paragraph locked by Dan Lake

After years of anticipation, IKEA is about to open its doors to the New Zealand public. Finn Blackwell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Up to 20 people a day are risking their lives venturing into closed areas of a popular Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park track, where construction and explosive work is under way. DOC operations manager for Aoraki-Mt Cook, Sally Jones spoke to Corin Dann.

The most Googled phrases and words for 2025 are out today, and you might be surprised by what kiwis have been searching for. Google New Zealand's Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Carrie Jones

The caretaker of the campground hit by a tornado in Manawatu yesterday says they're lucky no one was more seriously injured, or killed. Lance Phillips is a resident and caretaker of the Dudding Lake campground, and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

It's been another tough year for hospitality, with few restaurants and bars immune to the cost of living crisis. For an insight on the industry we're joined by Lucien Law, founder and chief executive of Savor Group which runs 20 restaurants and bars across Auckland spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then, fashion critic Emma Gleason is back, this time for a walk in the shoes of retro sneakers.

IKEA New Zealand's CEO says there will be no chaos as the Swedish retailer opens its first 34,000 square metre store in Auckland this week. In 2024 the Ikea was operating in 60 markets, with annual sales of about $90 billion; raising questions about the impact of the mega retailer will have on smaller buinesses and communities. Already traffic agencies are warning Auckland drivers to expect long waits. Mirja Viinanen, IKEA's Australia & NZ CEO spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's only the first day of summer - but already a code brown is casting an unwanted shadow over Auckland's beaches. Sewage overflows from the weekend's thunderstorms have impacted water quality at beaches across the central city, with swimmers being warned to stay out of the Waitemata or risk a nasty bug. As climate change intensifies and our water infrastructure ages, one ecologist reckons it is only going to get worse. Felix Walton has more.

New Zealand's first ever IKEA is set to open in Auckland's Mount Wellington this week, with 15 to 20 thousand people expected to roll through the doors. Staff say the stores are packed with 7,500 products and there's traffic management to help with the busy crowds. But traffic agencies have warned Aucklanders to expect long delays, and the presence of the store has raised questions about the impacts on smaller nearby businesses. Reporter Bella Craig managed to get a sneak peek. 

Monday means it's time to hit the clubs - because we've got a new segment on the show where I chat to clubbers. So if you have a club you'd like Jesse to join for the day please get in touch we'd love to hear from you - afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Where are you planning to live when you retire? Stay in your own home as long as possible? Move in with family maybe? Or are you keen to move into a retirement village? Global property firm JLL recently released their 2025 report on the state of New Zealand retirement villages, and it has found that in the next 8 years demand is set to out strip supply by over 11 thousand places. That's a deficit that's only expected to grow as our population ages. WSP fellow and Deputy Director at the Helen Clark Foundation Kali Mercier joins Jesse to discuss.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: summer starts today, which means more sunscreen to be slathered on limbs for the next few months. But how did sunscreen go from being a tanning assistant, to a protector against skin cancer? Medical historian Laura Dawes explains.

In part two, the UK is banning plastic-based wet wipes. Why won't New Zealand? Then, Warren 'Poppa' Ockwell has been spreading Christmas cheer for 25 years in Dunedin, building custom floats for the annual parade.

Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

Renowned British brain scientist Gina Rippon delves into emerging science in The Lost Girls of Autism. 

Lego's USS Enterprise is now out, and Pete Robson from the Wellington Lego User Group is desperate to get his hands on one!

Kiwi actor and musician Jordi Webber has just joined the cast of the New Zealand-filmed series Spartacus: House of Ashur. 

Merv Grewar proves that age is no barrier. He'll be 90 when he attempts to break a rowing world record next Saturday to raise awareness and funds for Dementia Canterbury.

Tonight we're heading to Rolleston near Christchurch for  HIIT for Hope.

Disgusted, disappointed and furious - those are words of Simone Bennett reacting to the government's announcement that the long-awaited National Erebus Memorial will be built in Christchurch. She spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Eighty-year-old Ken McLeod started in the meat industry in 1962, when he was only 16. He spoke to Corin Dann.

This afternoon it has been announced where the memorial to honour those killed in the Mt Erebus flight will be built. Jesse speaks to Rev Dr Richard Waugh, the instigator of the National Erebus Memorial and close friend of the families.

Okay it is time to talk relationships now, whether romantic, professional or somewhere in between, Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology Do let us know if there are any topics you would like Kirsty and Jesse to cover at afternoons@rnz.co.nz.

It started as a tiny seed of an idea, but it has grown into a flourishing vege garden, in an unlikely spot; a concrete company carpark in Kerikeri. Now that carpark is feeding a bunch of families in need. It is the work of a local tradie who got the idea from another business owner and then had to figure out how to turn his company's sealed parking lot into fertile ground without sacrificing the parks. Roof Bay of Islands director turned vege gardener Rick Harper spoke to Lisa Owen.

Husband, father and ocean lover is how New Zealand's TikTok creator of the year describes himself on social media. Louis Davis has been crowned by the public as Aotearoa's best creator of 2025, at the Australia and New Zealand TikTok Awards last night. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Senior writer at The Spinoff, Alex Casey has been taking a deep dive into the history of the chocolate fish and why they are our preferred reward for a job well done. 

Kiwis are knocking back more lower-alcohol beers, but it's less about the alcohol and more about their waistlines, says one expert. Beer magazine editor Michael Donaldson spoke to Corin Dann.

Metallica thrilled tens of thousands of fans at Eden Park the weekend - generating more than an estimated 5-million-dollars for Auckland's economy.

An aviation commentator says Air New Zealand staff going on strike could have a severe impact throughout Oceania. Irene King spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Consumer NZ has spent 12-weeks tracking the prices of products from four big box retailers, to see if the bargains are all they're cracked up to be. Head of research and advocacy at Consumer NZ, Gemma Rasmussen spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Wedding season is well underway and while weddings can be one of the happiest days of a couples' life ... it can also be one of the most stressful. How do you avoid blowing your budget? How do you manage your in-laws expectations? And how much should you spend on the gift? Whether you're newly engaged, about to tie the knot, or you're attending a wedding as a guest in the coming months, fire through your questions. Lisa Langsford is a celebrant and wedding planner at 'With love weddings' and joins Jesse.

Kennedy Warne joins Kathryn from Northland, where he's been visiting a marae teaching traditional weaving. Kennedy also talks about two of the double-hulled waka of the Hawaii-based Polynesian Voyaging Society which are in New Zealand at the moment as part of a five-year circumnavigation of the Pacific. And cats have been included in the Predator Free 2050 target list - he talks about how hard it is to trap them.

As New Zealand gets set to rollout roadside drug testing, an Australian expert says it's a scattergun approach.

Not only are New Zealand's cycle trails helping get more and more people outdoors but they are also boosting the economy by $1.28 billion a year.