Podcasts about life and society

It's a paradox that police and politicians say needs solving. Methamphetamine is a strictly banned and highly destructive drug. It's also illegal, according to Customs, to import or sell utensils for smoking meth. Despite that, you can buy meth pipes everywhere, even in corner dairies in the smallest towns in the country. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Economists say households already feeling the squeeze from the cost of living could be about to face another blow. Many are expecting today's inflation figures to be at the highest level in two years, climbing to 4.1 percent in the year to June. Reporter Anna Sargent asked some people in Christchurch how they're feeling.

On Here Now this week the focus is on a bilingual class at a school in east Christchurch with a difference. L'Aurore is a new bilingual French and English classroom at Haeata Community Campus in the east Christchurch suburb of Aranui. The class has been going for one year, and has doubled in size. In the class the students, who all have a family connection to France, are immersed in the French language and culture every day.

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.

Many of the struggles we see in men don't begin in adulthood, they begin in boyhood. Developmental pediatrician Dr Billy Garvey knows that because he's lived that. Now he works with thousands of children and families, and he's the co-host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast. He's become one of Australia's leading voices on child development, regularly speaking to packed audiences of parents looking for practical advice for their children, and especially boys who are growing up with dodgy social media influencers and confusing messages about masculinity. Dr Garvey shares his suggestions for small changes that can have lifelong impacts. His new book is available for pre-order and it's called Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Raising Boys.

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.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Kanoa Lloyd and Ed McKnight. First up, the National Party is promising that if re-elected, it will modernise laws on sexual consent, saying there must be consent before sex every time. Advocate Louise Nicholas shares her reaction. Then, just how hard is the job market for graduates? The Panel catches up with Auckland University graduate Lucy Parsonson about the uphill battle she's fighting.

In part two, pet ownership isn't as clear as you may expect under the law. Animal law specialist Ian Robertson explains. Then, a Dunedin holiday park owner is swooping in to save the local Weet-Bix TRYathlon, after the long-time sponsor left their region off the list.

Kalina Silverman is the founder of a global movement Big Talk; she wants everyone to skip the small talk to make room for big conversations

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act. Welby Ings is a queer activist, who in the early 1980s established Gay Rights of Taihape, an advocacy group for rural queers. He's also a renowned film-director.

Paul Goldsmith responds to criticism of so-called move-on bill; MPI's chief vet on H5 bird flu in New Zealand; Matt Doocey on $35m boost for forensic mental health; CEO Interview: Lincoln Agritech's Professor Travis Glare; Pete Monk on starting a legal career in his sixties

It's considered a taboo subject, but in libraries and community spaces across the country, groups of strangers gather to talk about death. Death Cafes are an international initiative encouraging informal and honest conversations about death, dying, and how to live better. Luka Forman went along to one of them.

Sir Greg Doran is somewhat of a legend in the world of theatre and William Shakepeare. The first time the former Artistic Director Emeritus of the Royal Shakespeare Company came to New Zealand it was thanks to a copy of a First Folio of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet held at the Auckland Central City Library. Now the renowned theatre director is back in the country, but this time working with students, actors and the public discussing the love stories cultures share, and why they are such timeless tales. Sir Greg's visit was prompted by a creative project involving the Maori legend of Hinemoa and Tutanekai - two star crossed lovers that some call New Zealand's Romeo and Juliet, but with a happier ending.

In our most recent Solving the World's Problems segment Emile spoke to Verity Johnson, who advocated very passionately for Auckland appointing a night mayor. A Night Mayor's job is to advocate for the community, businesses, artists, venues, and workers that keep a city alive after dark. Many of you were in support of such an idea .. although some of you concerned about more bills to pay for it .. so we thought we should find out how it could work in reality. And we didn't have to look very far to find an example .. if we take a look to Australia, New South Wales already has something very close to that. Michael Rodrigues is the New South Wales 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, he joins Emile.

It won't come as a surprise to any of you that social media can be a minefield of information - and misinformation. You click on something and next minute it is all over your social media feed - for good or bad. A new study from the University of Otago has examined social media through the lens of exercise advice targeting women - and the result may just surprise you. Professor Katherine Black, from the Department of Human Nutrition co-authored the study - and she joins Emile to discuss.

Heading Off is our weekly travel segment driven by your stories. If you want to talk about your recent trip on the radio - get in touch via 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz. This week we're joined by Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Member of the Order of the British Empire ... Barbara Kendall. You might know her best as the five time Olympian and Olympic Windsurfing gold medalist, but today she's here to talk with us about sailing to Fiji. Barbara has made the trip twice - almost 50 years apart.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan 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.

As you no doubt will have heard, yesterday we lost perhaps the finest actor New Zealand has ever produced, Sir Sam Neill, at the age of 78. From Kiwi classics like 'Sleeping Dogs' and 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople', to arthouse darlings like 'Possession', and blockbuster hits like 'Jurassic Park', the breadth of Sam's career was astonishing. Tributes have been pouring in from around the world today from the likes of Steven Speilberg, Jeff Goldblum, Toni Collette, Cillian Murphy, Jacinda Ardern, Christopher Luxon. Kiwi screen legend and a close friend of Sam's Ginette McDonald spoke to Emile. [picture id="4JLJJFY_GettyImages_129738219_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

A Taranaki mountain biker who broke his neck wanted nothing more to do with the sport which took away the use of his legs. But, two years on, the 39-year-old is back in the forests promoting tracks suitable for adaptive mountain bikes. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin reports.

Those of us who sit at a desk for most of the day know the importance of taking a break. New research has figured out exactly how often we should get up and move around. The study found taking a short walking break every 20 minutes reduces blood sugar and insulin. University of Otago PhD graduate and lecturer in physical activity and nutrition behaviour at AUT Dr Jen Gale is the lead author in the study. She speaks with Paddy Gower.

Our resident gardening expert is back, this time to talk about all things Matariki. Hannah Zwartz has over 30 years' experience gardening professionally, including looking after the herb and succulent areas at Wellington Botanic Garden and running community market gardens in the Hutt Valley. She speaks with Paddy Gower about making the most of this time of year and answers your listener questions.

Now, granted, it is a long weekend - and you have every right to put your feet up and relax - but if you're worried about becoming a winter couch potato, then this might be for you. The Winter 31 Club is a 31 day yoga challenge inspired by Matariki. Katie Deare is from the Sun Salute Yoga Centre in Hamilton to talk it over.

Many parents will recognise this situation: a sick child, a long car trip, or as is the case over the past few days . . . constant rain during the school holidays. Added to all the other stresses of parenting, sometimes the easiest thing to do is switch on the TV - sometimes for hours. But should parents worry about those occasional "all-day screen" moments? Dr Jo Orlando is a digital well being researcher at Western Sydney University. She joins us to look at finding the right balance in a world where screens are now part of everyday life. She speaks to Susana Lei'ataua.

Residents of a lower North Island retirement village lost their first battle to stop the speed limit on the highway outside their gate returning to 100km/h. But Speldhurst Country Estate near Levin has now won the war with transport officials confirming a drop back to 80km/h. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

For more than 20 years Ruben Miller worked alongside police as a forensic scientist and frontline crime scene investigator, attending homicides, suspicious deaths and major investigations throughout New Zealand. Earlier this year he released a memoir, 'The Blood Says Otherwise.' It's about forensic science and crime scenes, but it's also focusses on the trauma, empathy, and human behaviour behind it all. Ruben chats to Emile. [picture id="4JN9Q8K_ACP_7927_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: Michael Smythe comes along for another episode of Kiwi Nuggets, where he takes a look at the history of New Zealand-designed products. This week: the Fisher & Pykel Dish Draw.

In part two, Nelson Mayor Nick Smith is calling for a slow-down of the Tenths Bill, with concerns that it will weaken protections over Abel Tasman National Park. Local communications strategist, Johnny O'Donnell, disagrees. Then, Otago libraries are lending out robotic cats and dogs as a companionship option for older people and those with dementia.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Fifield and Phil O'Reilly. First up, Kaikoura has been today's victim of ferocious weather, with the river bursting its banks. Motel owner Fiona Wei explains what she's seen. Then, China's latest missile tests in the South Pacific are "incredibly unwelcome" according to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. International relations expert Robert Patman gives his analysis. And The Post's national affairs editor Andrea Vance has come out of the blocks with a scathing opinion piece on New Zealand First's candidate list.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan 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.

Economic pressures have meant its been a tough time for animal adoption over the last year. In a bid to find homes for the animals that have been their care for over 42 days the organisation is making the upfront cost a little easier to bear. SPCA Wellington Centre Manager Archie Pararasasingham spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: United States President Donald Trump has gone from labelling cryptocurrency a scam, to earning $1b from is in a year. Marta Khomyn is a Senior Lecturer of Finance and Data Analytics at Adelaide University. She breaks down this major pivot.

In part two, a Waikato District councillor is in legal hot water after upgrading a stretch of footpath before he got official sign off. Then, how would you like to dine in a six-seat restaurant? That's newly on offer at Ni, in the King Country, and co-owner Natalie Bulman joins the show.

Time for Freaky Friday. Our home for your spooky tales. It's one of our favourite moments of the show, but it only works because you have been so generous in sharing your stories with us. Whether that be ghosts, a seance, freaky serendipity, or something else entirely. If you've got a freaky story to share, then get in touch. It's 2101 on the text or Afternoons@RNZ.co.nz via email.

Interior design guru Sylvia Sanford joins Emile and this week she's turning her attention to chairs. Exploring the value of chairs: vintage, folding, kitchen, dining, desk, wooden, plastic, upholstered, painted, wicker, cane, steel, reclining.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan 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.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan 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.

A hand-made silk victorian frock, coloured with arsenic-based dye, is going on display for the first time at Whanganui regional museum. Museum acting director Trish Nugent Lyne spoke with Lisa Owen.

The workplace satire 'H.R. THE MUSICAL' is back for a run of shows in Auckland before it heads to Edinburgh Fringe The sketch comedy takes aim at office politics - corporate jargon and passive aggressive emails - delivering a sharp critique of the modern workplace Amy Mansfield is the writer and director of HR The Musical, she chats to Perlina.

The idea that women should be homemakers and men should be providers is resurfacing in parts of the American right, where it is moving from online spaces into real political influence. In a cover story for The Atlantic magazine, writer Helen Lewis explores this strain of thinking sometimes labelled "masculinism" as part of a broader backlash against feminism. Some voices within the movement argue society has become biased toward women's interests, with the most extreme even suggesting women shouldn't even have the right to vote. Lewis also looks at the ties between champions of masculinism and senior MAGA officials in the Trump administration. The story is titled The Men Who Want Women to Be Quiet, subtitled A Virulent Form of Misogyny Has Become the Single Most Important Force Holding Together the American Right.

The town of Rakaia has a population just shy of seventeen hundred people. Nestled in the vast Canterbury plains, it's flanked by the Southern Alps, with a stunning braided river and a very long bridge, But what's the story of the name Rakaia? Let's find out with RNZ Producer Justine Murray and this week's episode of the podcast NAU MAI TOWN.

Tomorrow the cost of posting a letter will shoot up yet again. NZ Post is increasing standard mail letter prices by 70 cents, meaning a medium-sized letter will cost $3.60, a large letter $4.90, and an oversize letter $6.20. NZ Post says it's facing rising costs and needs to keep their services reliable, but critics say the price rises are coming at the same time as postal services are becoming less accessible, especially for rural communities. We'd love to know what you think about the price rises, but also how often you post mail, 2101 on the text machine. To tell us how the price changes impact those who live and work rurally, Perlina is joined by Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Rural Women New Zealand.

It's time for Mayoral minutes .. where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing ... how they're working to solve them... and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to sunny Nelson from where Mayor Nick Smith joins us.

The aim is help recognise and preserve both Māori and European histories for future generations.

Peters claims immigration changes discriminate against Indians; Younger bowel cancer patients face diagnosis delays; Tourism Minister discusses new industry strategy; Farah Hancock looks into the government conservation proposal; Beloved Auckland music venue rescued by supporters

The owners of a beloved Christchurch nightclub that's about to close its doors for good say fewer young people are going clubbing. Adam Burns reports.

New research into pay gap information is backing mandatory reporting as a way of increasing staff retention and boosting productivity. 

 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.        

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.