Features

Analysis - Mining deep areas of the ocean to gather rare metals for electric car batteries and other green technologies is attracting cash-strapped Pacific island governments. Liam Koka'ua, who has roots in both 'Avaiki Nui and Aotearoa, talks to Teuila Fuatai.

Far North district mayor Moko Tepaiaia tells Kim Hill why he's "naively optimistic" about the future of his region.  Video, Audio

The carrots are too big, the capsicums are too small and the pears are a bit bruised. But for Perfectly Imperfect, that does not matter at all. Audio

The New Zealand String Quartet's celebration of 30 years of touring, Turning Points, features performances of some of the most groundbreaking works in the quartet repertoire including music from Mozart, Beethoven and Webern.

Celebrated New Zealand chef  Peter Gordon is finding plant-based foods interesting, with people looking at other ways to create delicious meals as protein prices rise. Audio

With the long weekend coming up, outdoors author, editor and photographer, Shaun Barnett joins us to take your questions on the best ways and the best tracks to get out tramping this Easter. Audio

American author Harlan Coben says he has to have his book's ending and how it will make sense to the reader sorted before he can start his writing journey. Audio

The House visited two MPs with very different job descriptions to see the shape and function of both their offices and their staffing arrangements.

Simon Hall (Ngāti Kahungunu) has spent two decades channelling the success of family business Tasti Foods into conservation. Audio, Gallery

Why did MediaWorks kill a network launched with heavy hype only a year ago? Mediawatch investigates. Audio

LISTEN: It's all the fun of the fair with music from Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka, Ravel’s La Valse, and his irrepressible Piano Concerto performed by Stephen De Pledge, and Clyne’s Masquerade, commissioned for the Last Night of the Proms.

Colleen Brown tells the extraordinary story of how a scarf knitted by a Southland child "for some soldier far away from home" ended up in the hands of her own brother. Audio

Steve Garden, co-founder of Rattle Records, talks about the New Zealand record label and highlights some recent releases. Audio

Kimbra is back in Aotearoa for some very special shows, including Synthony this weekend (Which has now moved to Sunday due to rain) Charlotte Ryan spoke to Kimbra about her new album 'A Reckoning' and her new life in NYC. Audio

Last week, we farewelled ground-breaking Māori broadcaster Māni Dunlop after 12 years. Audio

Davaar Station is a popular stop-off for locals and tourists near Te Anau - for Anna Macdonald's baking and her sister Kate's luxury wool jerseys. Audio

William Dart investigates the issue of optimism in recent releases from The Long Ryders and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott. Audio

Picton aircraft engineer Iwan Jones won fans on TikTok this week after his wife Katie shared a video of him reading his NZ citizenship affirmation in te reo. Audio

On this week’s Nashville Babylon Mark Rogers has new music from Iris Dement and New Zealand’s The Loving Arms. There’s also soul from Solomon Burke, plus choice tracks from Nina Simone and Alison Krauss. Audio

With the cost of shearing too high, Taranaki farmer Murray Jackson is now rearing hardy Australian White sheep for their high-quality meat. Audio

Herding cows with virtual fencing is as bad as battery-farming chickens, says Golden Bay farmer Tim Rhodes. (Country Life) Audio

After a long stint overseas, award-winning musician Vera Ellen has returned to Aotearoa and released a new album. Tony Stamp catches up with her in Pōneke to find out more. Audio

Hymns for Palm Sunday today, celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and marking the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian liturgical calendar. Audio

Beloved Kiwi band The Exponents perform a live session that includes their hits 'Why Does Love Do This To Me?' and 'Forever Tuesday Morning'. Video, Audio