Features

NZSO double bass player Malcolm Struthers' passion for his instrument has turned into a stimulating new hobby: making his own. He describes the process of constructing two basses from scratch and restoring an earthquake-damaged instrument that he will have ready to play on stage in September.  Audio

We waste $1.6 billion worth of food every year. Nearly 160,000 tonnes. With more and more people needing help putting meals on tables, Two Cents' Worth looks at balancing the food waste books. Audio

A scientist involved in genome sequencing of current community-transmission cases says analysis is ongoing and that it is hoped results will determine if a quarantine facility was the source of infection. Audio

This Town is a reminder that any New Zealand feature film that isn’t dark, navel-gazing and occasionally violent is usually described as “a quirky comedy,” writes Simon Morris. Video, Audio

The Detail - Reduce, re-use, recycle is taking on a new and more formal meaning with the Government's product stewardship scheme.  Audio

Christchurch singer-songwriter Jed Parsons has released new single, ‘She’s The One’.

Your free classical podcast this month is Beethoven's Ghost Trio played by NZTrio. Grab your own bite of Beethoven in his anniversary year.

Any decision on delaying the General Election should be based on safety-to-vote considerations and not on any perceived unfairness by a political party, law professor Andrew Geddis says. Audio

Northland soul singer Teeks has released his his first new music in three years.

New findings from a 35-year research project on Generation X shows hallmarks in their life experiences, including no evidence for a period of mid-life crisis, a 'delayed adulthood' and increasing happiness with age - but to a point.   Audio

Power Play - Warnings another outbreak was bound to happen were not enough to prepare New Zealanders for the shock of seeing the country's largest city put back into level 3 lockdown.

Love Square is the new project from former Supergroove sax player Nick Atkinson, and we’re proud to be the first to share their new track and video ‘Mercy Mercy Mercy’.

Widescreen - The golden age of LA rock is glowingly brought to life in a two-part documentary, reviewed by Dan Slevin.

Live performances from Kiwi/Persian rapper CHAII, country powerhouse Tami Neilson, pop-punk quartet Miss June and reggae legends Katachafire.

British blogger Caroline Hirons has just seen her new skincare tips book, Skincare: The Ultimate No-Nonsense Guide, become the first beauty title to top the Sunday Times Bestseller chart in 18 years.  Audio

Our Changing World - The sound of the space we eat in can have surprising effects on the taste of food, food scientist Nazimah Hamid from AUT says. Audio

Adolescents are subject to a biological drive that leads them to be impulsive and at the same time over-think the consequences of their actions, according to a top US psychiatrist. Audio

The pandemic situation in Victoria shows that a Covid-19 outbreak can escalate from very small numbers initially, an economist is warning. Audio

Healthy of Hoax - Shakti Mats made a big splash when they arrived in New Zealand a few years ago. But does lying on thousands of tiny spikes improve our health or is it just a painful hoax? Audio

RNZ Music is proud to present the new video from indie rock group Daily J.

When Emma-Kate Putnam saw Lady Gaga performing at Auckland's Vector Arena in 2010, she had an epiphany. From that point on she knew she wanted to be on stage with the megastar. Video, Audio

Voices - Drawing from their personal experiences and childhood, two chefs help further the social cause of an Auckland-based restaurant pop-up. Audio

Widescreen - The Netflix documentary Dolly Parton: Here I Am should show audiences that Ms Parton is one of the greatest talents in American music, says Dan Slevin.

Sea snail mucus, mango munching cows' urine and the beetle-crushing Aztecs all brought colour to our world. A new book by master paint-maker David Coles documents the history of our quest for colour. Audio, Gallery