Features

"Mr Organ is a black hole and I've fallen in," quips journalist and filmmaker David Farrier midway through his new feature documentary. Video, Audio

Just last month, the world lost one of the down-home divas of country music, Loretta Lynn. William Dart pays tribute to her, playing tracks from the twang of her early honky-tonking to her 2004 genre-twisting collaboration with Jack White. Audio

The practice of New Zealanders covering songs by other local songwriters is less common now than in the 70s and 80s. This episode of Blue Smoke searches for Kiwis covering Kiwis. Audio

Gretchen Lowe shares the recipe for the perfect fresh fake-away dinner.

How can values like service and respect be incorporated into the education system to help Pacific students thrive? Three Victoria University academics explore this question in a new book. Audio

WATCH - When it comes to Aucklanders' parking habits, there's a battle going on between what's legal and what's practical. Video, Audio

Decision to Leave is a brilliantly complex South Korean thriller about a policeman who falls for a murder suspect. Video, Audio

The hymns of 20^th century hymn writer Fred Kaan have a strong focus on peace, unity and social justice. You can hear some in this week’s programme: For the healing of the nations and O Holy Spirit. Audio

Silver Fern great Leigh Gibbs describes herself as a traditionalist and that's why, she argues, a two-point shot would be good for the seven-a-side game, by Bridget Tunnicliffe.

With the release of an album of music inspired by poet Hone Tuwhare by the Rodger Fox Big Band, Nick checks out jazz inspired by Langston Hughes, Bill Manhire, Walt Whitman and Edgar Allen Poe. Audio

Health science researcher Wendy Pirie has developed a movement programme to help early childhood teachers give children under five the physical activity they need to succeed. Audio

The legend of All Black Keith Murdoch being sent home from Wales comes from a massively different era of rugby, writes Jamie Wall.

Viola Davis stars in this controversial new film about a real-life women's army in 19th-century West Africa. Video, Audio

The Detail - Emile Donovan explores the commercialisation of high school sports. Audio

Kararaina Rangihau illuminates centuries of Tūhoe wisdom in a short documentary for Loading Docs. Video

This year we’re celebrating 25 years of one of RNZ’s best-loved programmes. Each week Country Life's producers travel around the motu to capture the stories, sounds and images of the people of our country.

Auckland Museum curator Dr Matt Rayner works amongst stuffed peacocks, moa, emu, and ostriches – but his own speciality is seabirds. Audio

Don Jessen was conceived in a caravan. When his wife Marilyn Jessen met him at 17, she soon realised loving him meant learning to love van life. Audio, Gallery

LISTEN: Music commentator Dave Wilson joins Kathryn Ryan to look at the fascinating relationship between work and music. Creating, singing, and playing music are all forms of labour. Audio

A concert by well known New Zealand artists with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate 60 years of the films at the Aotea Centre on Saturday night. Singer Caitlin Smith gives us a sneak preview of The Music is Bond.  Audio

"I'm a little bit too loud, a little bit tall – I'm nearly six foot … nosy, looking at you going 'what are you doing? Where are you going?" Audio

After years of pandemic-induced stress, many people are struggling to recalibrate – but there are ways to manage. Video

The Night of the 12th is a French police thriller about a shocking murder that becomes an obsession for the two detectives trying to solve it. Video, Audio

Auckland food blogger Albert Cho (@eatlitfood) chats to Kathryn Ryan about his new memoir I Love My Stupid Life. Audio