Features

The sombre tone of LA after the fires might have contributed to the noticable all-black theme.

Listen to some stellar singing from the 2022 Choir, recorded by RNZ at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Ōtautahi/Christchurch as part of their South Island ‘Southern Stars’ tour. Audio

Newer electric toothbrushes with smart features can cost up to $600, but "just because it's electrical doesn't mean it's magic".

The heart of music industry was ravaged by fires, burning down the homes of thousands of people.

As SOUNZ seeks submissions from composers for this year's work for Orchestra Wellington and the children's ensemble Arohanui Strings, we speak to the man who wrote last year's composition: South African-born Keith Moss. Audio

Kate Mikhail, a former chronic insomniac, has researched her way out of her sleep problems. Audio

It's 60 years since The Rolling Stones toured New Zealand in 1965. Dave Hogan tells Music 101 about meeting them at the airport, their Invercargill concert, and the lasting effects of their visit. Audio

The summer harvest might be in full swing but now is a great time to plan a vegetable garden that will return a dividend for years to come. Audio

Northland brothers Henry and Lewis de Jong formed a heavy metal band as kids. Now they perform songs in te reo Māori on the world stage. Video, Audio

This week’s listener requests include a Brendan Taaffe’s contemporary folk hymn To the hills, a harvest anthem by English composer John Rutter, and Isaac Watt’s well-loved hymn When I survey the wondrous cross. Audio

Multi-award winning NZ guitarist Callum Allardice's new album 'Elementa' is a combination of his signature cinematic soundscapes, and a small-group intimacy. Audio

"Unexpectedly wild" is how Dan Buchanan describes the veteran rocker's Friday night show in Christchurch.

This weekend marks 60 years since The Rolling Stones toured New Zealand. Dave Hogan was there to meet them at Invercargill airport in his school uniform.  Audio

"To climb the ranks and get recognised as one of the best teams and gyms in the world is pretty cool considering like our size and where we come from" -  City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman.

RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump catches up with NZ double bass player Louis van der Mespel on a trip home from the Netherlands. Audio

John Drummond, former music professor at Otago University, composer and broadcaster, talks about his book Habitation of Dreams: A Life in Opera. Audio

Co-writer and director Brady Corbet's filmThe Brutalist is brilliant and powerful, writes Dan Slevin.

A cavalcade of enormous rock and pop stars, old and new, will perform at a benefit concert in Los Angeles, and streamed around the world.

Researchers also found a hair embedded in the canvas and sent it to be analysed.

If anything, 2024 taught us to expect the unbelievable, but what else should we expect from this year? Audio

A 15-minute window to meet your child's teacher may seem brief, but get it right and you'll get the school year off to a good start. Here's how to make the most of it. Audio

"It would be a bit of an exaggeration, but just a bit, to say it trolls Donald Trump," writes The Hollywood Reporter 's critic.

Smut novels can range from sweet, innocent romance stories to narratives that depict rape and violence, making it hard to know what books are suitable for what age groups, writes Serena Solomon.

"Honking is a vibe like if you don't answer with your honk, you're not part of the cool kids. And if you can fit in a gap, it's yours to take." Audio