Features

As Cyclone Gabrielle bore down on Aotearoa, radio hosts on Newstalk ZB played down the danger. Audio

LISTEN: To a musical highlight of the 2020 New Zealand Festival in Wellington, The Netherlands Chamber Choir, led by one of today’s most sought-after choral conductors Peter Dijkstra.

Orchestras Central provides orchestral opportunities for players at all levels throughout Waikato. Chief Executive Catherine Gibson explains how the Trust works. Audio

As both a solo artist and member of The Police, Sting has sold more than 100 million albums – and snared 17 Grammys - in a career that's spanned more than four decades, He's touring New Zealand later this month. Audio

Finding the way forward for professional women's rugby is "not as easy" as for male players, says NZ Rugby Women's Hannah Porter.

Sports Call - Don't blame Tim Southee if his winning percentage as New Zealand Test captain ends up among the worst in the team's history, writes Ben Strang.

Mediawatch - Aotearoa's national resilience came to the fore in media coverage of this week's cyclone emergency. Video, Audio

Much of the destructive 'slash' triggered by Cyclone Gabrielle is the result of pine trees being planted and harvested on erosion-prone land, writes Mark Bloomberg.

People were in tears as they described their harrowing experiences to Checkpoint – and then in tears again speaking of the aroha they'd received at Flaxmere's evacuation entre.

William Dart offers words to ponder and sounds to intrigue with new releases from our own Kimbra and American singer José James tributing Erykah Badu. Audio

Mark Eman provides the hardworking staff at his Waikato turf company with financial literacy lessons, te reo Māori lessons and sponsored education. Audio

''There is a feeling of respect for everybody who does something for others ... and everyone is trying to get involved in activities that are useful to the society," Audio

Fair Game - James Nokise explores the political disparities that affect the performance of Pasifika rugby nations. Audio

Young farmer Ryan Cockburn is changing the landscape on his grandparents' 250-hectare Canterbury farm. Audio

Hymns inspired by Psalm 150, Praise God in his sanctuary, feature in this week’s programme. Audio

Simon Morris chats to writer-director Charlotte Wells about Aftersun – a little gem of a film with dynamite performances from Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio. Video, Audio

Jazz musicians have long been attracted to Burt Bacharach's music, for both its melodies and its hidden complexity. To mark his death, Nick Tipping checks out nine jazz versions of Bacharach's tunes. Audio

Martin Bosley shares a tasty, easy recipe. (Anchovies optional)

Fair Game - Samoan rugby player  Kas Lealamanua says Pasifika athletes often have to choose between representing their country and being paid. Audio

Anxiety, anger and grief are natural responses to one-off disaster events - and we need to make space for these feelings. Audio

The melodramatic intensity we bring to our own heartbreak is extremely funny to writer Monica Heisey. Her debut novel Really Good, Actually draws on the "isolating yet absurd" experience of getting divorced at 28. Audio

There is no 'one size fits all' approach to ascertaining when a child is ready for social media, says University of Sydney media lecturer Dr Catherine Page Jeffery. Audio

Viola player Lauren Jack learnt a lot about musicianship in an intensive week at Nelson's Adam Summer School. Audio

Vibrant, fresh salsa breaks up the richness of the cheese in this shared snack or starter – while spicy chorizo takes it to the next level.