Features

Surviving a childhood of neglect, abuse, being hit by a car, put in a prison camp, and living though the Civil Rights movement in Alabama, Lonnie Holley, now 69, turns his experiences into things of beauty and hope. Audio

Widescreen - Rialto Channel will soon present four documentaries about the lives of four very different artists. Three of the films are utterly absorbing, says Dan Slevin.

Here is a mid-year round-up of the best songs of 2019 so far, eight of them, courtesy of the RNZ Music Song Crush crew. Soundtrack your solstice! Video, Audio

Any fish treated well can be delicious eating, says Wellington chef Tom Hutchison. He's challenging New Zealanders to reconsider eating fish that are more commonly used as bait. Audio

The Detail - Auckland Council has joined five other New Zealand local bodies to declare a climate change emergency - but is this just lip service being paid in election year?  Audio

A team of five boys from Francis Douglas Memorial College placed first in their division with a greenhouse cover made from recycled plastic water bottles, timber and bamboo. Audio

The New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker has confirmed his next bout will be against the Samoan-born Alex Leapai.

Samoa's Methodist Church President has handed over the keys for church buildings which are being used for the Pacific Games village.

The Pacific's sea cucumber fishery is losing millions of dollars through corruption and a lack of accountability.

Psychopathologist Dr Tasha Howe has studied the experiences of her fellow '80s heavy metal groupies, fans and musicians compared to other music fans – and it turns out the kids are alright! Audio

"I got attacked in Huntly when this woman hurled Islamic abuse and took a few swings at me and my friends. People were absolutely shocked that this could happen in New Zealand" – Mehpara Khan. Audio

Basque pianist, Marta Zabaleta calls her programme 'Chopin in Mallorca', combining music Chopin wrote during a near-disastrous holiday on that Spanish island in the Mediterranean, with music by Spanish composers.

It was 90 years ago today the small township of Murchison, between Nelson and the West Coast, was torn apart by New Zealand's third-deadliest earthquake on record. Video

A study by a heavy metal groupie-turned-developmental psycho-pathologist Dr Tasha Howe explores the experiences of 1980s heavy metal groupies, fans and musicians vs other music fans. Turns out the kids are alright! Audio

Watch - Many New Zealanders are desperately pleading for Pharmac to fund life-saving medication for them or their families. Video, Audio

Scientists in Samoa are hoping a new collaboration with New Zealand researchers will help them discover new cancer medicines from native plants and marine organisms.

The Cook Islands is likely to follow Samoa in banning the biopic about the international pop star, Elton John.

The Vanuatu Prime Minister has reshuffled his cabinet in the wake of yet another failed motion of no confidence brought against him.

Instead of helping people connect with art, the language that's used to describe it often shames and alienates them, says Vanessa Crofskey. Audio

Recipe - A classic, nourishing pumpkin soup is just the thing for these cold winter evenings, and if you hate chopping and peeling, then roasting the pumpkin whole first saves a lot of effort.

An expert in Pacific development issues has been recognised by Victoria University in Wellington as one of six Distinguished Alumni in its 2019 Awards.

Mediawatch - Two contrary political opinion polls this week raised big questions about their quality and the purpose. Is it time the media confronted contradictions in its reporting? Audio

The Detail - Is the government swapping one bad habit for another by encouraging smokers to move to vaping, as a way of curing their addiction?  Audio

Watch - New Zealand in 1900 had seen nothing like it - a mega-mansion, the largest wooden house in the land. It’s survived earthquakes, vandals and squatters. Frank Film asks, what next for McLean’s Mansion?