Features

Taranaki's annual world music festival WOMAD went ahead this weekend, despite the heartbreaking events in Christchurch. Chris Schulz was there.

The Pacific has reacted with sadness and shown solidarity for New Zealand after at least 50 people were killed in shootings at two Christchurch mosques yesterday.

His children's books have sold more than 25 million copies. He's also an actor, comedian, talent show judge, and a long-distance swimmer. Now he can add 'podcaster' to his CV too... Audio

After an accident 20 years ago, Chris Ashwell could no longer drive trucks. He started planting vegetables in his back garden near Rangiora and the project soon became an organic market garden business. Audio

Yanghe Yu and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra perform Vaughan Williams' much-loved piece for violin and orchestra.

British folksters The Unthanks have released an EP of songs setting texts by poets from the time of World War 1. William Dart listens to these and other songs inspired by The Great War. Video, Audio

Listen to David Morriss and his personal selection of classics including his best scratchy records, from 2pm on RNZ Concert.

Despite the tragic events in Christchurch and many events around the country being cancelled, attendees at Taranaki's WOMAD world music festival have gathered to celebrate diverse cultures from all over the world.

New music by Wellington guitarist Julie Bevan, a new album by Malian superstar Bassekou Kouyate and we remember French pianist Jacques Loussier.

This week, sing along to psalm settings, hymns for Lent, and Irish hymns to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

Tonight in Music Alive we're hearing the charming Quiet City by Aaron Copland. Learn more about the man and his music in this backgrounder by Matthew Crawford. Audio

People have gathered at mosques and Islamic centres around New Zealand - including Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington - to mourn those who were attacked in yesterday's shooting.

More than any other singer, male or female, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau dominated the German musical landscape of the second half of the 20^th century. No one recorded as much and few singers gave as many concerts as he did. Video, Audio

Nick celebrates 100 years since the birth of Nat King Cole, and plays tunes by Ruben Gonzalez, Buddy DeFranco, and Tessa Quayle.

Organisers of Taranaki’s three-day world music festival WOMAD have explained their decision to continue with the event in the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks.

We have a jumbo edition of Song Crush this week as seven regular Song-Crushers choose their favourite song from this summer. Video, Audio

The mood at Taranaki’s WOMAD world music festival is more sombre and reverent than in previous years, but continues to celebrate our differences and the ways in which we are all the same.

Young New Zealander Thomas Gaynor is making quite an impact in the musical world already. Here he takes on the mighty Auckland Town Hall organ.

In this award-winning RNZ series, Mohamed Hassan looks at how counter-terrorism policies, war and xenophobia have affected Muslims living in New Zealand, Australia and the US.

Penguins aren't particularly intelligent, even for birds, but humans are attracted to them because they walk a bit like us, suggests Lloyd Spencer Davis, aka Professor Penguin. Video, Audio, Gallery

Widescreen - Dan Slevin spots the best and most interesting feature films added to Kiwi streamers.

Check out RNZ Concert's new collection of music featuring birds, bird song and bird stories.

Students at this week's Polyfest in Auckland say the festival is becoming more culturally diverse to include more than just New Zealand's Pacific or Maori communities.

Tune in to the velvet-voiced Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi a.k.a. Teeks, one of Aotearoa’s next great talents, who is performing tonight at Womad in New Plymouth and then with the APO at Auckland’s Town Hall on 28 March. Video, Audio