Features

A muslim leader in Fiji says his community is not afraid despite a memo from Fiji's Muslim League urging members to take appropriate security measures over the next few days.

When All Black prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi took to the field in the All Blacks vs South Africa match, his brother and cousin were in the stands brimming with pride, and with the knowledge of all the hard work it took to get him to this moment.

Heavy and overcrowded schoolbags are causing serious danger to children's growing spines, with 10 pounds in a backpack equalling 72 pounds of force to a student's spine, research by a world-leading spinal surgeon shows. Audio

Journalist Melissa Hogenboom wrote an article about the neuroscience of dementia after observing her ill father’s unflagging love of music. Audio

Mediawatch - People blame politicians and media for the spread of fake news, but the PR industry’s role usually goes under the radar, says Dr Lee Edwards. Video, Audio

The star American mezzo gives a compelling performance of 'The Death of Cleopatra' with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Edo de Waart.

The Packaging Dilemma​ - Kim Hill and four experts discuss the tension between keeping food safe and filling the environment with waste. Audio

A three-day celebration of chamber music featuring top New Zealand musicians kicks off in Martinborough on Friday. Audio

Opinion - Employers and migrants may lose out in the new work visa system, writes employment consultant June Ranson.

All too often young people are stereotyped, stigmatised and discriminated against by blanket acceptance that adolescents are rude, lazy, self-entitled risk-takers who need fixing, a youth development lecturer says. Audio

The Detail - Whether it’s adding a letter, reinstating a Māori name, or naming a place for the first time – people care a lot about what places are called. Audio

The ‘chaos’ of percussion instruments was a very prominent visual feature of this stage setup. An enormous array of drums, gongs, large bamboo chimes, metal sheets and wood blocks were on display. Tony Ryan reviews Saturday night's concert.

Wellington couple Catherine Hill and James Brown haven't owned a car since the mid-90s.

Justin Gregory takes a hilarious romp with some of New Zealand's best theatrical talents. Audio

Rei, Troy Kingi and Louis Baker have been recognised for their contribution as Māori musicians to Aotearoa’s local music scene and Te Ao Māori.

Ahead of the release of IT: Chapter Two and The Joker people suffering from coulrophobia, or a fear of clowns, may find themselves exposed to ads. Audio

First Person - Are you worried you might not survive the Rugby World Cup conversations around the water cooler? Sports journalist Zoë George, who lived in Japan, breaks down a few conversation starters to help you get through.

This recipe is really an assemblage of deliciously fresh ingredients  - simmer the asparagus, fry the eggs and make the toast. 

Indi is a cocker spaniel with a nose for truffles. She and her trainer Karen Drummond dig out the delicacy on properties all over the North Island. Audio, Gallery

New Horizons - William Dart samples ska from Melbourne, rap from Russia and fresh folk from Scotland. Video, Audio

William Dart goes globe-trotting, sampling ska from Melbourne, the almost indescribable Korean band SsingSsing, rap and punk from Russia, and ending up in Scotland for folk-singer Karine Polwart's gorgeous new album. Video, Audio

Opinion - T.S. Eliot once said 'humankind cannot bear very much reality'. The truth of these words will be tested as humanity increasingly wakes up to the reality of climate change, Paul Duignan writes. 

The House - They say a week is a long time in politics. It’s so long there is a flow and flux to the weekdays at parliament, almost like the shift of seasons, writes Phil Smith.  Audio

Mental health intervention in New Zealand tends to come too late, but Sir Graeme Dingle and Jo-Anne Wilkinson have spent a good portion of their lives working to help young people find hope and confidence.  Audio