Features

Bob Dylan compared him to Proust. Kris Kristofferson suggested he was so good “we’re gonna have to break his fingers”. Nick Bollinger talks to the revered singer-songwriter ahead of his NZ dates this week.

An environmental disaster is unfolding in Solomon Islands, on the island of Rennell, with tonnes of oil spilling into a pristine marine reserve, writes Jamie Tahana.

Leonard Cohen has long been a figure of fascination for Wellington writer David Cohen. He's just published Book of Cohen – the story of a "famous singer and his not-so-famous lifelong New Zealand fan". Audio

Colette stars Keira Knightley as the woman who became one of the best-known writers in French literature. Video, Audio

Multi-level marketing companies are promoting essential oils strong enough to strip oil from an engine as natural therapies, a qualified practitioner says. Audio

Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin joins us in studio for a live performance and a chat about her new, second  album Crushing. Video, Audio

What is water if you cannot swim in it, fish or drink it? Many rivers are no longer safe for our simplest needs. Dr Dan Hikuroa suggests how this might change. Audio

Here’s your first look at the latest single and video from music and life partners Anna Coddington and Dick Johnson, aka Clicks.

University lecturer Gregory Smith details his journey from a desperately sad childhood to a stint living in the bush to, eventually, an academic career in the new book Out of the Forest. He talks to Jim Mora. Audio

In the late 80s and early 90s, Manchester’s The Happy Mondays had a reputation as a hedonistic, drug-fuelled hot mess of a band. Amazingly, they're still alive and touring. Video, Audio

Trevor Reekie brings you music from around the world and across time, including today an interview with New York film maker Jeff Lieberman who produced and directed the documentary film The Amazing Nina Simone.  Audio

Aldous Harding's song ‘The Barrel’ is great, but the music video is truly fantastic, says Kirsten Johnstone. Video, Audio

  Video, Audio

In Book of Cohen, Wellington writer David Cohen interweaves his own story with that of the Canadian singer he's always loved. Audio

Bob Dylan compared him to Proust. Kris Kristofferson suggested he was so good “we’re gonna have to break his fingers”. Nick Bollinger talks to the revered 72 year old singer-songwriter ahead of his NZ dates this week.

A play set during the Spanish Civil War, and adapted for Kiwi audiences, is being produced by two Spanish expats who now call New Zealand home and whose parents fought against Franco's fascists. Video, Audio

The Fiji Government says a ban on the harvesting of sea turtles will continue this year.

Fiji sevens captain Kalione Nasoko hopes his drink driving charge can be a warning to others not to assume they're okay to get behind the wheel. Audio

Tessa Te Mata is the first woman of Pacific heritage to head a New Zealand diplomatic post in the Pacific.

The leaders of five Micronesian states have called on the Pacific Islands Forum to recognise Taiwan and China as equals at its meetings.

The original character and style of the building with its white marble, dark timber, rich red fabrics and vibrant artworks, has been preserved as part of the $167 million post-earthquake restoration. The first concerts in the reopened auditorium take place this weekend.

Children prone to being impulsive and chaotic can exasperate parents and lead to dysfunction in a family. People need to recognise these kids have a kind of developmental disability, says parenting consultant Joseph Driessen. Audio

Digital media has opened the way for young Pacific people to create their own content and tell their Pacific stories. Audio

Over 1,000 old cars abandoned on the Rarotonga roadsides in the Cook Islands are waiting to be scrapped.

Cello lovers, you can load up your playlist with a selection of recordings of the vibrant and lyrical cello, captured in concert around New Zealand by RNZ.