Features

We discuss R Kelly's announcement of a NZ tour amidst allegations of sexual abuse; Mark de Clive-Lowe drops in to discuss his new album; we speak to Horace Panter of The Specials; and legendary NZ hip-hop DJ Sir-Vere joins us for the Mixtape.

Mary Holm discusses three ways to play with numbers. The first is dollar cost averaging. The second is the rule of 72. The third is what happens if you have 40 years in KiwiSaver.  Audio

Looking for a new instrument to learn? This woodwind charmer can sound lyrical, spikey, grunty or even funny. Check out some of RNZ's recordings here.

Two Cents' Worth - Humans are increasingly looking to space with dollar signs in their eyes, because there is money to be made in them there celestial hills. Audio

Karl Steven of Supergroove, The Drab Doo Riffs and Heart Attack Alley is the RNZ Mixtape selector. He shares his songs and stories of being in bands to studying for his PhD at Cambridge. Video, Audio

Kiwi jazz ensemble The Jac are joined by South Korea's Black String in the culmination of a year-long collaboration, recorded at the 2017 Wellington Jazz Festival.

Ahead of Lauryn Hill's show at Auckland's Spark Arena on Feb 16, Melody Thomas reflects on what Ms. Hill's ground-breaking solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill meant to her.

Should it be easier for gender diverse people to change the sex on their birth certificates? A proposed law will do just that, but its critics insist the change will erode the rights of women and girls. Susan Strongman enters the fray.

The chicks that have hatched are off to Dunedin, the females have started mating again, and there is breeding action on Hauturu, all in episode 8 of the Kākāpō Files. Audio

Reggae superstar Bob Marley made his only visit here 40 years ago, it had a lasting impact on New Zealand music, one which is still playing out today. Video, Audio

Musician Toni Huata has been appointed the first Kaihautū Puoro Māori - Director of Māori Music at SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music. She speaks with Eva Radich about her vision for the role. Audio

One of the world's newest islands in Tonga is sprouting vegetation and supporting bird life just four years after erupting into existence from an undersea volcano. Video

The law commission of the French Senate has approved the proposed revision of French Polynesia's autonomy statute.

Papua New Guinea's Department of Health has called on all hospital authorities in the country to check their medical supplies each week.

Warm, dry and cheap to run, passive houses are built to a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency, using high-spec windows, insulation and mechanical ventilation systems. Audio, Gallery

A 12-year-old Lebanese boy sues his deadbeat parents for bringing him into a world where they couldn't care for him, reviewed by Dan Slevin. Video, Audio

For 60 years, Lale Sokolov kept a secret, a secret about the job he held at the Auschwitz concentration camp where he was sent as a young Jewish man in 1942. Audio

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's concert features music by Ligeti, Shostakovich and Beethoven. Guest pianist Bezhod Abduraimov adds in a virtuosic encore by Liszt.

In his recent book Savaged to Suit, Turnbull Library curator Paul Diamond looked at depictions of Māori in cartoons down the years. 

New Horizons - William Dart listens to new albums by John Grant and James Blake, both peddling songs of disillusionment, and, like Marlene Dietrich, doing it with beguiling charm. Video, Audio

February 6th is significant to many Kiwis for another reason - the birthday of the undisputed superstar of reggae Bob Marley. His one and only visit 40 years ago had a lasting impact on New Zealand music - still playing out today. Video, Audio

What happens when the Elon Musks of the world start colonising Mars? Can they? These are the questions Dr Anna Marie Brennan is posing.  Audio

Controversial R&B singer R Kelly, who is facing sexual abuse accusations spanning decades, has announced a tour of New Zealand

SEVEN WEEKS: Journey to Polyfest is a story of family, pride, community and culture, hard work and an honouring of history.