Features

Nick Bollinger detects sonic and emotional developments in the latest abum by British band The xx. Audio

"Neil Young seems to be releasing records at whim, leaving it to his listeners to do what a good manager or A&R department might once have done. Which is to say 'work on these ones a bit. Get a good producer, you could really go somewhere.'" Audio

A former CIA analyst, who interviewed Saddam Hussein after his capture in 2003, says it might have been better if the dictator had stayed in power. Audio

Susan Strongman asks why cannabis products that can't get you high are still illegal in New Zealand.

Sophia Duckor-Jones talks to some of the 900 people running low on hope at Greece's Ritsona Refugee Camp.

Nick Bollinger revels in the reissue of three lost classics from proto guitar hero Link Wray. The part-Shawnee guitarist from North Carolina made some of the definitive rock instrumentals. Audio

Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) continues to serve people across the Pacific region, delivering essential day to day news and information and providing a vital lifeline in times of natural disaster.

Using 100 rarely-seen photographs, a historian has curated an exhibition celebrating 175 years of Chinese New Zealanders. Audio, Gallery

Neil Young's latest release, Peace Trail, is topical, full of familiar Young trademarks but ultimately half-cooked, says Nick Bollinger. Audio

  Audio

The Blues are taking Super Rugby to Samoa after announcing they will host the Reds in Apia in June. Audio

Charlie Chaplin still doesn’t do it for Dan Slevin, and he’s not sure if he ever will.

Opinion – Matt Richens writes an open letter to the Black Caps captain.

Uber has expanded aggressively to more than 60 countries since its launch and is valued at $NZ93 billion. But one analyst says its business model makes no sense. Audio

Trevor Reekie's latest mix of world music, fusion and folk roots includes music from Mongolia, Ireland, Mali and an interview with two Chinese New Zealand musicians. Audio

Music producers Guy Massey and Dave Eringa talk with Wallace Chapman about working with Oasis, re-mastering The Beatles and how they started out. Video, Audio

Mark Rogers with new music from Howe Gelb and Nadia Reid, blues from the Mississippi Sheiks and CW Stoneking, jazz from Yusef Lateef, solid gold country from Tex Ritter and more. Audio

It was a time when you could be hanged for homosexuality, yet gentlemen had penis-shaped shrubs decorating their country estates. Audio

Hidden Figures is important, influential and inciting. What it isn’t – at least not often enough – is very good, says Dan Slevin

There are hopes the management at the Fiji Sugar Corporation will usher in a new era of strategic thinking for the beleaguered industry. Audio

Dunedin poet and writer Talia Marshall talks about her path to writing and and the lessons she learnt caring for the dying. Audio

An Australian writer who discovered she was one of about 35 percent of people affected by perfumes argues there should be more conversation about regulating the industry. Audio

Opinion - Obituaries have been flowing and accusations flying, writes Jamie Wall.

Is there a 'bamboo ceiling' held up by institutionalised racism in New Zealand? If the answer is yes, a group of Asian leaders are working to tear it down. Audio, Gallery

Percussionist and composer Edward Ware moved to New York City in 1990. He talks about making his way there, the music he loves and why he's now 'becoming European'. Audio