Features

Usually labelled 'minimalist', Philip Glass describes himself as a composer of 'music with repetitive structures'.  Movies, operas and concert works all showcase his distinctive sounds. His 80th birthday is being celebrated around the world. Audio

A Russian monarchist says he wants to use three uninhabited islands in Kiribati to create an 'alternative Russia'. Audio

Sara and Jack Gorman talk about how fear, uncertainty and group-think can lead intelligent people to believe false things. Audio

Can 21st-century democracy be described as "government of of the people, by the people, and for the people”? In part five of Great Ideas, Megan Whelan looks at the democratic system. Audio

Coromandel based sister duo Purple Pilgrims premiere their new song 'Drink The Juice' and speak to Alex Behan about their evolving sound, and their fascination with cults. Video, Audio

Lead by example, be curious and make sure they know you’re on their side, says a social media expert. Audio

A new service offering only Australian-made films launched with a patriotic hiss and a roar on Australia Day this week. We already have such a service for Kiwi films. Who knew? Audio

United Noshes is a series of dinner parties themed on the 194 UN member countries (in alphabetical order). Now the founders have reached ‘N’... so Jesse Friedman explores how to cook like a Kiwi. Audio

Every year Keenan Scott shears around 8,000 alpacas, throwing in a pedicure with his service. Audio, Gallery

Writer and journalist Julie Hill is currently living in Mexico. She tells Wallace Chapman many Mexicans have more immediate concerns than Trump’s election and plans. Audio

Mediawatch found plenty of stories in the news this summer that didn't stack up - or weren't really news in the first place. Video, Audio

Auckland indie-folk trio Tweed play tracks from their debut album High-Brow Blues and have a chat to Megan Whelan. Video, Audio

What if adding synthetic letters to the four in the genetic alphabet – A, T, C and G – enabled the building of new synthetic life forms? Audio

Why are fans no longer flocking to the Wellington Sevens? Plus the Silver Ferns prepare for their first internationals of the year and the NZ Blind Cricket Team prepare to take on the world. Audio

Composers of Light Music are taking the genre to new places. Brian Kay presents the evidence. Audio

Moses Mackay from Samoan opera trio Sol3 Mio talks to Zoë George about going out on his own, the move to more contemporary music and the price of fame. Audio

Last year was the first time Auckland farmers were invited to enter the Farm Environment Awards, so Helensville farmers Dianne and Richard Kidd did – and won. Audio

Music 101 host Alex Behan shares some of the bands he's excited about seeing at the annual Auckland Anniversary day festival for the musically adventurous. Video, Audio

Business journalist Maria Slade has written a book for New Zealand home buyers. She talks with Kim Hill about mortgages, building inspections and the media fixation on house prices. Audio

A popular puzzle computer game which emerged from the Eastern Bloc reveals how repeating an activity can rewire our brains. Audio

Master carver Clive Fugill has worked and taught at Te Puia – formerly the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute – since 1966. He shares his story with Te Ahi Kaa. Audio

Robert Ellis weaves text and paint and symbolism together to make us think about what it means to be a New Zealander, and about our relationship to the sky and the land. Charlotte Wilson visits him in his studio to ask about the role of music in his life and work. Audio, Gallery

The Black Caps need a different approach to captaincy, younger recruits and the return of Shane Bond, writes David Bell.

The quicker a stroke is identified and treated, the less damage is done. Now a UK professor is developing a simple test to detect if you've had one.