Podcasts about life and society

The father of a man assaulted with a steel bar as a teenager and then hit by a truck has been battling ACC for 10 years. Ruth Hill reports.

A growing number of Kiwis who've had their Facebook and Instagram accounts wrongfully suspended, want parent company Meta to know the emotional toll it's had on them. Ke-Xin Li reports.

A group of Wellington comedians facing dwindling ticket sales are thinking outside the box to get people through the door. Kate Green reports.

With just one breath, New Zealand freediver Ant Williams set a new world record, swimming 182 meters underwater and under ice. That's the length of nearly two full rugby fields. He takes us all along for the ride with a documentary called Ice Dive, part of the Adventure series on Apple Vision Pro. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Williams says he wants to show us all just how far we can go by pushing fear and doubt and comfort aside in our lives.

In today's episode, the latest RNZ Reid Research poll has the political landscape in a deadlock -- the Labour Party still a nose ahead of National, but neither side able to govern alone; Nine clergy have been chained to the door of Nicola Willis' office in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville since Monday morning; New Zealand middle distance runner Geordie Beamish has claimed a stunning world championship gold in the 3000 metres steeplechase in Tokyo; For the first time ever, a New Zealand woman has successfully co-skippered a yacht through the Northwest Passage.

Reach for your comfort blanket now because its Freaky Friday time! The time of the week where we speak to you, the Afternoons listeners, about your strangest and spookiest experiences. Get in touch if you have a goosebump-inducing story of your own to share, either on text 2101 or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz

In today's episode, a teachers union says a high school curriculum overhaul lacks detail, despite its far-reaching implications. Up to seventy thousand more tourists are set to arrive in New Zealand this summer, with international airlines boosting the number of flights. People will get a first chance to see Ikea's New Zealand offering at the Auckland Home Show this weekend. In sport, the Black Ferns prepare for their first knockout match against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. And it's Friday so we'll check in with our correspondent across the Tasman, Kerry Anne Walsh.

Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson talk about musicians leaving Spotify and a celebrity interview with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri.

Graham Lowther has been documenting the damage vehicles are doing to Muriwai Beach. 

Perfect is the enemy of good. It's also the enemy of joy, creativity, relationships and even our health. We are living in the age of perfectionism says acclaimed author and contributing writer for The New Yorker, Leslie Jamison. Perfectionism used to be considered a "respectable flaw" you can confess to in a job interview. But now, with easy access to weight loss drugs and filtering apps, the illusion of perfect is everywhere. Her latest article explains the flaws that lie within flawless. Her piece is called The Pain of Perfectionism.

It's time for Bookmarks now and today I'm joined by one of the most recognisable faces of stage and screen in this country, Mark Hadlow. Tickets are on sale now for the sequel to one of New Zealand's most successful plays, 'MAMIL' aka Middle-Aged Men in Lycra. Mark has reunited with writer-director Gregory Cooper for the follow-up. It's called 'GOMIL' aka Grumpy Old Men in Lycra. It's touring venues all over the country between the 18th of September and the 17th of October. Mark joins Jesse to tell us about the show along with some of his favourite things.

Kathryn talks with Christchurch podiatrist Simon Wheeler about toes and how to take care of them. 

Many people may flush and forget but excrament can be mined for a lot of information about your health and habits, and the question is - who should get access to what you discarded? Doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland, Mackey Price has been looking at the issue and spoke to Lisa Owen.

At the age of 81 years old a Christchurch fitness instructor is showing that exercise really is vital to keeping the bounce in your step. Each week Paula Barrett leads three fitness classes at council-run Pioneer Stadium, where she has taken classes since the late 1980s. Reporter Rachel Graham went along to meet Paula and some of her regulars. 

Thousands of people are taking up government funded virtual GP appointments - but there are concerns patients will miss out on continuity of care. General Practice NZ chairperson Dr Bryan Betty spoke to Corin Dann.

Waikato District council is considering closing access to the notorious Papanui point in a bid to prevent drownings there. Ross McNaughton reports.

Night sweats, insomnia, brain fog and unexplainable rage; these symptoms came out of nowhere for science writer Amy Alkon. And when she sought help, she was shocked by how little her doctor had to offer. So, Amy went looking for the answers herself. She found that women's health is routinely misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. She discovered tools to help women make better choices, like this cancer risk assessment calculator. Her book is called 'Going Menopostal: What You (and Your Doctor) Need to Know About the Real Science of Menopause and Perimenopause.

Operations Manager at the Auckland Library of Tools, Tom Greer, joins Emile Donovan.

Ollie Neas is the co-founder of website Policy.nz, a tool you can use to find out just who is running in your area and what they stand for.

There's a stage few people talk about between the worst days of an eating disorder and full recovery. It's the messy and misunderstood middle. That's where author and professor Mallary Tenore Tarpley finds herself as an adult who spent her teenage years in and out of hospitals with anorexia. In her new book, she blends her own story with insights from hundreds of patients worldwide and the doctors working to better understand this space, where setbacks are real but so is progress. Her book is called Slip: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery.

As regular listeners will know, we like a cold call here on Afternoons, a chance to add a little suspense to the day, will they answer? 

We're really excited about this next conversation, it combines some of our favourite things, architecture, design, travel and comedy. 

The second of the investigative series into Destiny Church, 'Under His Command', is out today on TVNZ+.

In the small Central Otago town of Oturehua, five long-time business owners are about to retire which means nearly the whole main street is on the market at once. Katie Todd has the story.

Megan Dalla-Camina held executive roles with IBM, PwC and GE before founding Women Rising, a global enterprise aimed at supporting women in leadership roles.

A food bank in Opotiki is busier than ever, as the cost of living soars and locals struggle with a lull in seasonal work. Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust feeds about 500 people a year in the Bay of Plenty community and are in higher demand during the colder months when people grapple with bigger power bills and fewer jobs in the orchards and on farms. Alexa Cook reports.

Carter Holt Harvey has confirmed it is shutting down its Eves Valley Sawmill in Tasman, resulting in more than 140 job losses. The Tasman mill has been a major part of the region's economy for the last 40 years, with about 250,000 tonnes of timber processed at the site each year. Maria Hemara who has worked at the mill for six years spoke to Lisa Owen.

Whitebaiters began their annual pilgrimage to the nation's tidal rivers and streams this week as the two-month-long season for the elusive "white gold" started. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

More than 140 workers at Tasman's Eves Valley Sawmill will be out of the job before Christmas, with the fate of the site now sealed. Adam Burns reports.

Auckland dog walkers say new council rules are confusing, costly, and hard to enforce. Professional Dog Walkers Association's Cassie Jefferies spoke to Corin Dann.

Psychologist Cailin Jordan joins Emile Donovan.

Shoppers looking for alternatives to filling the trolley at the supermarket are heading to local markets for cheaper prices. As part of RNZ's Pinch Point series on the cost of living, Bill Hickman went to the capital's Harbourside Market where Wellingtonians go to save a few dollars on fresh produce.

Gumboots can be a bit of lifesaver for many farmers but for one West Coast dairy manager, his gummies were an acutal life saver when he was struck by lightening. Chris Wilson, from Westport, was out on his quad bike herding cows to the milking shed early yesterday morning when there was a flash of white light that hit him. Chris tells Lisa Owen his survival story.

In today's episode, we have our weekly political panel; The parents of a 16-year-old boy who died while driving drunk want tougher laws to stop sales to minors, after learning he was served alcohol multiple times including when visibly drunk; We're a few days into meteorological Spring and after what for many was a rough and wet winter, the forecast is now out for what we can expect over the coming months; Most Kiwis would choose work-life balance over more money; Policy NZ is an online tool trying to change that by making it easier for voters to get the info they need

Most Kiwis would choose work-life balance over more money. SEEK country manager Rob Clark spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Roaming dogs are running rife in Auckland and the council says communities are being put at risk. Auckland Council Animal Management Manager Elly Waitoa spoke to Corin Dann.

With the price of gold reaching record heights, auction houses have told RNZ that they're seeing a surge of people interested in what it means for any necklaces, bracelets and rings they might have stashed away. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Corin Dann.

** OHH: Episode 160: What's Poppin' ** It been a long time and ah ah ah! We're back this week with an episode of Politricks! We've been MIA since February and we know there is so much that has happened in the political realm. Take a listen as we dive into what's been going on. Immigration - How does ICE affect California? *Raids and protests, still affecting LA *Catching people with citizenship,and taking native americans Trump removed security for Kamala Harris. *Gavin Newson and thuggery - media team thuggin out *Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland may be a potential running mate for 2028. *Redistricting Proposition for the CA fall ballot. Do you agree? *What strategy should the democrats employ? Cheeto man - Mr. Orange guy's antics - what he been up to lately *Tariffs - judge announced IEEPA tariff's illegal *Recent visit to Russia to entice Putin *What is the temperature check for trump's 2nd term? *Karen Bass - recent shootings & comments from the mayor *Jasmine Crocket rep for congress redistricting in TX *Congressional map to increase seats for Republicans w/out public *Newsom redistricts CA in response - more seats, w/ public vote Former CA governor Schwarzenegar returning to politics to join the redistricting fight

Thirty-six-thousand Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants are striking on Tuesday and again on Thursday in a push for what they say are safer staffing numbers. Nurses Organisation President Anne Daniels spoke to Corin Dann.

Another iconic retailer is calling it a day at its Queen Street store in Auckland, falling victim to changing times in the once vibrant CBD. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Communities worldwide are planting trees. In New Zealand. Hāwera has 7.5% tree canopy, Picton has nearly 59%. The average across all NZ towns and cities is 19%. 

Consumer confidence has fallen to a 10-month low as the high cost of living and weak housing and labour markets continue to have an impact. The ANZ-Roy Morgan survey on Friday also revealed consumers' perceptions of their personal financial situations had fallen to their lowest level since October 2023. Financial mentors say the cost of living is particularly concerning for those on fixed incomes like pensioners. This week an RNZ survey showed even retirees who have paid off their homes are struggling as rates and insurance costs increase. Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson joins Susie Ferguson from Wellington.

There is a stoush simmering over the crewing of Gisborne's fire station with the union claiming its has been left unstaffed. The union said for just over an hour yesterday there was no one at the main fire station and that meant the city was vunerable in an emergency. Off duty staff were called in to the cover the station while all rostered crews were dealing with the aftermath of a blaze. But the union said off duty firefighters can only cover for a maximum of three hours. But FENZ said the station was never without cover. NZ Professional Firefighters Union national secretary Wattie Watson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police have released footage of two hooded figures, believed to be fugitive father Tom Phillips and one of his children, breaking into a Piopio business. Phillips has been on the run in the remote King Country bush since December 2021, after taking his three children from Marokopa. Police said while they investigate the milk theft, and other alleged crimes by Mr Phillips, their priority is to bring his children home. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports. Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro has worked on a number high profile cases in Australia and joined Lisa Owen from Melbourne.

The chorus of business leaders calling for something to be done to help Auckand out of a funk is growing. A major event can see businesses making a month's earning in just a night, according to Hospitality New Zealand. But it said the government's passed up some major opportunities already and needs to front up with funding if it wants to attract more. Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage spoke to Lisa Owen.

Residents living near a proposed landfill site on the outskirts of South Auckland say the roads aren't equipped for the 192 truck movents it will bring a day, and they are convinced it will lead to someone losing their life. Scarbro Environment has applied for resource consent to dump clean fill waste from construction in an area almost one-and-half times the size of Wellington's Sky Stadium. Auckland Council's considering 500 submissions on the proposal - and locals are gearing up for a potential legal battle if it gets the green light. One of the neighbours of the proposed fill site, Jo Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Raw sewage, gym socks, farts, pig poo, rotten meat and stale vomit. That is just a few descriptions of the aroma from the notorious durian fruit that is becoming more widely available in New Zealand. At Pak N Save, durians are around $120 each, and Costco is selling them for just under $100 each. Peter Pan, who imports durian from Thailand, spoke to Lisa Owen.

As regular listeners will know, we like a cold call here on Afternoons, a chance to add a little suspense to the day.

Let's catch up with what's been going on around the world with RNZ's UK correspondent Alice Wilkins.

The time for seed sowing is almost upon us, and it'll determine what your garden will look like for the months to come.