Features

Whether you have been naughty or nice this year, RNZ Concert has some lovely things for you over Christmas and the New Year. Here are some listening suggestions.

After more than 21 years championing the arts as presenter of Standing Room Only, Lynn Freeman is saying farewell to RNZ to become Media & Communications Manager at Forest and Bird. It's an honour to have her in for the Mixtape. Audio

Brian Buerkle introduces and conducts a concert of Christmas favourites performed with instruments of silver and gold by NZSO Brass. Audio

Driving song recommendations from sound engineer Brad Warrington, newsreader Marama T-Pole and presenters Bryan Crump, Wallace Chapman and Corin Dann. Video, Audio

Certain genes and character traits may explain why some of us can hardly function after a night of drinking.

Colin Peacock says goodbye  - and good riddance - to 2022. Audio

Christchurch rapper Scribe says making music has helped him recover from addictions to drugs and gambling. Video, Audio

The Housel looks back on a disruptive and wearying year for the New Zealand parliament. Audio

Famous New Zealanders talk about the music that moves them with the people who make it, celebrating the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's 75th anniversary, this week on RNZ Concert.

 Featuring Auckland-based expatriates such as Bill Sevesi and Bill Wolfgramm, and venturing back to the islands to hear their peers who recorded for New Zealand record companies. Audio

Auckland supergroup Half Hexagon fill the RNZ studio with their distinctive Krautrock-inspired sound. Video, Audio

After pursuing a career in fashion, and dabbling as a yoga and snowboarding instructor, Laura Schultz found the place she was meant to be was where she'd began. Audio

For years, Silicon Valley's stars have been able to drum up positive media headlines. This year, several of them ran into the hard wall of reality.

Writers Kate De Goldi and Laura Kroetsch share their favourite novels and non-fiction books of the year. Audio

35-year-old Ashburton caterer Jessica Moore spent thousands of dollars on a full-back tattoo of the North Pole this year.

Science and tech journalist Peter Griffin tells us about the how and why of MethaneSAT — the first NZ-government-funded space mission. Audio

The Waikato indigenous soul band tick off a "bucket list item" with an NZ Live session. Video, Audio

William Dart looks back at some of the exceptional local music that's passed his way over the year including a preview of what promises to be a highlight of next year's Auckland Arts Festival. Audio

Tony Stamp catches up on recent releases from local acts Hans Pucket, Goodnight My Darling, Boycrush and Amamelia. Audio

Carols for the Fourth Sunday in Advent include Love came down at Christmas and It came upon a midnight clear. And we remember New Zealand hymn writer and composer Colin Gibson MNZM. Video, Audio

Browse hams, lambs, salads, sides and sweets...

Nick Tipping marks the retirement of NZ saxophonist Brian Smith, playing music from across his career. Bands include the Tubby Hayes Big Band, Nucleus, the Maynard Ferguson band, Space Case, and the Brian Smith Quartet. Audio

Chickens abandoned on roadsides and rejected from cage farms are nursed back to health by volunteers at North Canterbury Chicken Rescue. Audio

Potatoes are 71% more expensive and salad ingredients are 41% more expensive than they were in 2019. Video, Audio