Features

Friend Ship might be a cheesy name for much loved Wellington band The Phoenix Foundation's seventh studio album, but singer Samuel Flynn Scott explains that it's a real celebration of human connection.

The second Bledisloe Cup test is almost upon us and - after last week's drawn opener - there's plenty to play for and plenty of pressure on the All Blacks to maintain their colossal Eden Park record. Audio

Advocate of outdoor nature education Wendy Pirie says there are many developmental benefits for children running around outside and exploring their environment. Audio

Widescreen - Dan Slevin watches a new documentary that carefully retraces all of the failures of the US government’s response to Covid-19.

Oscar Thomas’ passion for birds started with a primary school trip ten years ago to Tiritiri Matangi island and has now earned him an international book deal.  Audio, Gallery

The Detail - New Zealanders are coming home in droves in what's becoming known as the 'brain gain'. Who are they, why are they returning, and how long will they stay? Audio

Opinion - The boycott of All Blacks 1985 South Africa tour may have lacked the romance and drama of street fighters battling injustice in 1981, but it was effective, writes Craig Stephen.

Top New Zealand choir Voices NZ embraces the world of opera on their current concert tour. Audio

A filmmaker behind hit Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher says New Zealand movie Whale Rider helped shape its content. Video, Audio, Gallery

After 5 years in L.A collaborating with the likes of Grammy Award-winning producer Om’Mas Keith (Frank Ocean, Erykah Badu) and Jim Fairchild (Grandaddy, Modest Mouse), Lontalius is back in Wellington. RNZ Music is stoked to present his new single and video ‘Faint’.

The Caucus crew debate the seats to watch, highs and lows, winners and losers. And we put our picks in an envelope. Video, Audio

Farmer Chris Lewis tells The Detail new environmental legislation led from Wellington adds another level of compliance and burden but isn't likely to clean up rivers any better. Audio

Auckland band Kathy Bates Motel has done things a bit backward. They’ve never played a show, but they’ve recorded a full album. The band includes some top Aotearoa musical talent, ex. Supergroove and Pluto. RNZ Music is stoked to present their second single and video ‘Cool Your Heels’.

Rubbish made from natural fibres could be polluting oceans at far greater rates than plastic, an expert on marine plastics says. Audio

South Auckland-based Pasifika teen Jawsh 685 teamed up with Jason Derulo and South Korean boyband BTS to release a new remix of the hit song this month.

Dave Lowe on measuring CO₂ in New Zealand for 50 years, and how Carbon Watch NZ is a bird's eye view on our carbon balance. Audio

Patumahoe farmer Matt Bolton runs the country's largest goat farming operation, milking more than 5000 goats a day. Audio, Gallery

RNZ Music is stoked to present the new single and video from Iraq born Tauranga-based singer-songwriter Yasamin. ‘Maybe It’s America’ is the third release from her upcoming album Songs Over Baghdad.

Laughter really is in our DNA. The question is why. Using old jokes and science, professor of evolutionary ecology, Jonathan Silvertown has delved into the mysterious nature of laughing. Audio

The Detail - Peter Dunne is the MP who's been involved in more coalition negotiations than any other - he takes us behind the closed doors to shine a spotlight on what happens after an MMP election.  Audio

Instead of giving a few coins to a man using a pizza box to ask for spare change, a pizza franchise owner gave him a job. Audio

Voices - After waiting out two Covid-19 lockdowns the 21st national tournament for this Japanese martial art that's growing in popularity, finally took place this month. Audio

NZ's strong ties and trusts have been highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the enormous task of combating the negative social and economic consequences will test Kiwis' mettle, says sociologist Paul Spoonley. Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews dark reflections on modern America from Sufjian Stevens; a celebration of an old-time song-and-dance man from Joachim Cooder; and the hip-hop-from-another-planet of Sam Gendel. Audio