Features

In the final Extra Time of the year, a look back at 2016. From Rio to the All Blacks record unbeaten run and more. Audio

A Wellington institution closed its doors for the last time on Friday night. Kirsten Johnstone looks back at the history of well-loved music venue Bodega. Video, Audio

The face of West Papuan society is changing but RNZ International found that the core ideology of these Melanesian people is not easily destroyed. Video

New Zealand musicians Connan Mockasin, Liam Finn, and Lawrence Arabia have teamed up a number of times over the last decade, and clearly enjoy the musical and personal camaraderie.  Video, Audio

The Sampler revisits some of the year’s standout albums with some great releases from a couple departed masters, the Knowles sisters and some home-grown Pasifika soul. Audio

Isaac Hindin-Miller was the first New Zealander to ever be fired for writing a blog post, back in 2008. He now lives and works in New York. Audio, Gallery

RNZ Music has been making some lists, and checking them twice, trying to find out what's been most nice... 2016 music is the winner, and our gift to you.

Opticians Ravi Dass and Stephanie Hill of Mr Foureyes sell prescription glasses, and for every pair of glasses they sell, a free pair is given to a child. Audio, Gallery

RNZ journalist and poet Mohamed Hussan with a romantic ode to … the New Zealand Customs Service.  

Cohen and Bowie burn bright in music critic Colin Morris’ 10 albums of 2016. Audio

William Dart selects songs about the Big Man in Red. Although there has been less really good Christmas music in recent years, he still find intense joy in the occasional discovery. Audio

“My parents had separated briefly, the dog had died, my girlfriend had left me and Flying Nun was nearly going bankrupt.” Martin Phillips on the recording of the classic Submarine Bells. Audio

A year on from his extraordinary valedictory speech watched 1.7 million times on YouTube, Jake Bailey’s cancer is in remission, and he is sharing his story with the world. Video, Audio

Some people do good all year round. We talk to some of the real Santas of New Zealand.

A cricket tournament underway on Manus is a welcome distraction for refugees stuck indefinitely on the Papua New Guinea Island. Audio

Dan Slevin on the keepers, the mediocre and what should be kicked to the curb in cinema in 2016.

A new range of emojis will allow texters to express themselves with pukana, or communicate using hangi or boil up icons.

Nick Tipping takes a jaunt through jazz history - starting with the “King of Swing”, Benny Goodman, and ending with Kiwi drummer Mark Lockett's latest release. Audio

How does a man find a look that makes sense, is stylish rather than the latest fashion? A US writer, and something of a dandy, has some practical tips. Audio, Gallery

A new book looks at the work of behavioral psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky whose research shed new light on how we make decisions. Audio

Nick Bollinger presents a few of the year’s standout releases, including the big names, and work from Hayes Carll, William Tyler, Jay Clarkson, Lontalius and Aaradhna. Audio

With summer holidays ahead, Nick Bollinger and Kiran Dass recommend eleven recent music books worth keeping beside your hammock.

Auckland landscape design firm Isthmus has recently won two international awards for the Kopupaka Reserve and Taumanu Reserve Bridge in Auckland. Audio, Gallery

Radiooooo.com is radio from a different time and place - pick a country and a decade and the site creates a playlist for you of music. Tony Stamp investigates. Audio