Features

Villagers on Rennell Island in Solomon Islands claim that a ship that grounded on a reef in Kangava Bay two weeks ago is leaking oil.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has issued a warning to foreign developers who plan to do business in the country: "If you break our laws, you will be punished."

The popular idea that eight hours of sleep is required for a healthy lifestyle is a myth, according to sleep researcher Tony Fernando. Audio

Sixteenth century English composer John Dowland was famous for being miserable. His many beautiful lute songs capture his melancholy spirit and remain popular today. Audio

According to new research psychopathic birds of a feather flock together. The findings revealed that, despite the predatory tendencies of psychopaths, they tended to prefer their own. Audio

Side by Side by Sondheim is a greatest hits collection from Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway songs and other gems. Eva Radich talks to the directors of Circa Theatre's new production. Audio

Australian blues musician C.W. Stoneking tells Elliott Childs about collaborating with Jack White and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, and reinventing himself throughout his career. Audio

The demolition of state-built housing in the late 20^th century was symptomatic of a more general abandonment of the values of that century, a Dutch architect says. Video, Audio, Gallery

Aldous Harding, a self described "gothic folk" singer-songwriter from Lyttelton, performs live at WOMAD Taranaki 2018. Audio

Trevor Reekie shares music from Indian slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, Italian violinist Luca Ciarla (ahead of a tour here this month), and Chinese musician Wu Man, a virtuoso of the Pipa. Audio

Opinion - Julian Savea's stand-off with the owner of French club Toulon is just the latest example of the cut-throat nature of professional rugby in the Northern Hemisphere, writes Hamish Bidwell.

Tonight in Music Alive pianist Michael Houstoun begins the second book of Preludes and Fugues by JS Bach. Video, Audio

The RNZ Music team reflect on the Grammy Awards, country/pop artist Jamie McDell talks about Kacey Musgraves winning album of the year, and new music from Jessica Pratt, Nakhane and local beatmaker Whyfisucks. Video, Audio

Despite humble origins in 1960s London as the son of Jamaican immigrants, Shaun Wallace rose above the discrimination to become a successful barrister and a famous TV quizzer. Audio

Water has breached the hull of a ship which ran aground off the southern coast of the Solomon Islands.

Phoenix palms are ubiquitous in New Zealand, but their fronds are highly poisonous and they are the cause of half of all hand surgery in New Zealand. Audio

Equal pay has been a hot topic in New Zealand orchestral circles following a law suit in the US.

It's 20 years today since the première of this major orchestral piece by John Adams. The NZSO enjoyed the challenge of playing the Bruckner-scale work - a feat of precision and concentration. Audio

Artists, Feeonaa Wall and Ani O'Neill talk about the collective of Pacific and Māori fashion designers, artists and performers whose work in Auckland gave rise to a new urban style in the 1990s. Audio, Gallery

Jordan Luck, Marlon Williams and Delaney Davidson lend their talents to the songs of Al Park on Better Already. William Dart takes a listen. Video, Audio

The Chats found viral success with their song 'Smoko' - an ode to the Aussie tea break - and its accompanying DIY video. Dave Grohl [Foo Fighters, Nirvana] was so taken with it he showed Josh Homme, who showed Iggy Pop. Video, Audio

We have lost our way when it comes to chilling out and we shouldn't feel guilty about slacking off, a psychoanalyst says. Audio

Tuvalu's leader Enele Sopoaga has lambasted a former Australian leader's suggestion to swap Australian citizenship for maritime resources.

The Asian Development Bank is reporting large requests for renewable energy funding as Pacific countries try to push down electricity costs and improve access for remote communities.