Features

The government announced a gargantuan Covid-19 response package. It is huge in scale and entirely suited to the challenge faced by our country, writes Shamubeel Eaqub.

Well-known pianist and exceptional teacher Rae de Lisle talks with David Morriss about her own musical journey and the pleasure of recording a new CD. Audio

What happens when three women - a Jew, Christian and Muslim, meet on a bus? A deep exchange on feminism and faith ensues to foster an understanding of each other's cultures.  Audio

Watch this special live version of Troy Kingi’s ‘Aztechknowledgey’ live at Wellington’s Massey University, ahead of a new Fly My Pretties album The Studio Recordings Pt. 2.

The Government has been busy with its response to Covid-19 but as far as Parliament goes it's business as normal says Leader of the House Chris Hipkins Video, Audio

New Zealand’s music industry leaders are working on how they can support artists, promoters, venues and others affected by disruptions caused by the Covid-19 virus.

Touring is an essential part of a musician’s livelihood, but now live shows are cancelled. Here are some suggestions for how you can help some of your favourite Kiwi bands.

New York Times Beirut bureau chief Ben Hubbard has written a gripping portrait of Saudi Arabia’s ruler; MBS: The rise to power of Mohammed bin Salman. Audio

Nick Bollinger reviews a set full of jukebox rockabilly and sibling harmony from Tami Neilson; discusses the South Pacific soul of Sam Ford & Trudi Green; and the way Sam Lee brings Britain’s folk past into the present. Audio

New Zealand should ramp up its response to Covid-19 and shut its schools, a public health expert says. Audio

Sporting colourful sox, these four highly-skilled musicians from Australia visited for the last NZ Festival.

A deadly fungal disease strikes the kākāpō population on Whenua Hou and the Kākāpō Recovery team calls on New Zealand wildlife vets to help, in part 7 of Voice of the Kākāpō.. Audio

Peter Dickens from MusicHelps talks to Karyn Hay about the impact of Covid-19 on local musicians and the support available for them in New Zealand. Audio

It can sometimes feel like we are inundated with remakes and re-dramatisations. Dr Lauren Rosewarne has written a book called Why We Remake, and says revisiting old material is nothing new. Audio

The Detail - Ships banned, quarantined, and shunned by the bug-phobic, what future has the cruise ship industry in the aftermath of Covid-19? Audio

People in the United States are in shock amid a sense of a country in free fall, Ron Elving, senior editor for NPR News, told Kathryn Ryan. Audio

From Terezín to Auschwitz, through separations and starvation, harpsichordist Zuzana Růžička carried with her a small slip of paper printed with her favourite piece of music by Bach.

Auckland band SKILAA make music that’s a mix of neo-soul, hip hop and folk with African and Balkan influences. RNZ Music is proud to present the new video for the group’s third single ‘But I Do’.

It’s time to put in those winter veges in the ground now, Lynda Hallinan says. The warm soil will help them to get going and we should hopefully get some rain soon. Audio

Kōhanga reo across Aotearoa are having trouble with falling student numbers and are getting creative to stay alive. A new documentary series has just started on Māori Television called Tōku Whare Kōhanga Reo. Audio

Andrew Crooks is home in New Zealand and getting practice in teaching his American students by distance-learning. Audio

Pacific countries are continuing to take active measures to counter the entry and spread of Covid-19 coronavirus, amid the global pandemic.

Jackie Norman and Gareth Scurr share vegan recipes for busy people - all developed in their camper van kitchen. Audio

First Person: Yesterday, at 5am, Max Towle landed back in NZ after a 14-hour flight from Vancouver - and it felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders, despite straight going into self-isolation.