Features

On At the Movies this week are three films that all, in one way or another, are about cultural misunderstanding: Silence, The Great Wall, and Toni Erdmann. Video, Audio

Hikashu is a collective which takes in post-punk, new wave, krautrock and free jazz. Since 1978, Koichi Makigami has added his voice in surprising and often unintentionally humorous ways. Video, Audio

Irish flute player Alan Doherty, who stepped into the spotlight as a soloist for The Lord of the Rings soundtracks, and was a founding member of Gráda is back here touring with his band, ALDOC including at this weekend’s Coastella on the Kapiti Coast. Audio

Whakataukī – proverbial pearls of wisdom – are an intrinsic part of Māori heritage. Te Raumawhitu Kupenga talks about this heritage with Kathryn Ryan. Audio, Gallery

It's risky when opera stars venture into more popular territory and there have been some horrendous failures. For New Horizons, William Dart puts a critical ear to three such attempts. Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews an electrifying live set from re-formed power trio Sleater-Kinney. Audio

With the Mount Albert by-election on Saturday, check out RNZ’s live candidates’ debate. Video

The classic fairy tale of a prince or princess meeting a peasant boy or girl and falling in love has been given a makeover in a new book for children. Audio, Gallery

The Modern Māori Quartet have just started their Summer Pops tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and announced a new album - they join RNZ Concert for a live performance Audio

Trevor Reekie features music from Belgium, Brazil, Senegal, and a classic from here in Aotearoa, as well as talking to film director Jeff Lieberman about his film that traces the tumultuous life of Nina Simone. Audio

‘I make films for New Zealanders’, director and actor Taika Waititi says, who has been named New Zealander of the Year. Video, Audio

After a long and strange search, writer for the Spinoff Hayden Donnell, finally tracked down the inventor of Kiwi onion dip. Audio

The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial officially opened yesterday. Check out some pics from RNZ’s coverage.

Kurt Cobain would have turned 50 at the weekend and to commemorate here's one from the archives. We go behind the scenes of Nirvana's only show in New Zealand 25 years ago. Audio

Nick Bollinger checks the bright snapping chords, staccato riffs, the laser intensity of the vocals and indomitable rhythm of an electrifying live set from power trio Sleater-Kinney. Audio

This year's election will be held on September 23. Help us out by letting us know what you care about in this short, 3-minute informal survey.

Gillo Pontecorvo’s gritty account of Algeria’s historic battle for independence is still electric viewing more than 50 years on, writes Dan Slevin.

Charmeyne Te Nana-Williams' husband Peter's traumatic brain injury was the catalyst for her home-based rehab organisation. Audio

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Maori show band Modern Māori Quartet are teaming up for a Summer Pops tour this summer. Audio

Mental resilience means not being destroyed by adverse events, and an expert says we can all develop these skills.   Audio

Music by Beethoven, Schubert and Gao Ping is available for free download this month, thanks to the NZSO and the Calvino Trio.

It's award season so we look remember some memorable award show moments: the silver-suited GOFTAs, the great Miss New Zealand debacle and Anna Paquin's breath-taking moment. Video, Audio

Australian reggae artist Nattali Rize is best known as front woman for roots band Blue King Brown. Fresh from Jamaica, she is bringing her brand of soulful and political harmonies to WOMAD Taranaki next month. Audio

AJ Hackett is the name that probably comes to mind when you think of bungy jumping, but Chris Sigglekow taught Hackett the ropes. Video, Audio