Features

The opposition Cook Islands Democratic Party says it is appalled that the government is planning to appoint Toka Hagai as a seventh cabinet minister.

The Australian government would be brought down if Manus Island service providers were investigated, an award-winning journalist says.

Last week, top brass at the state-owned broadcaster told Parliament about a “renaissance” in free-to-air TV and fielded questions about taking over rivals. Colin Peacock surveys the scene. Audio

Award winning filmmaker and author Peter Wells died last evening aged 69, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. He joined Jim Mora earlier this month to look back on his life and career. Audio

While some struggle to afford prescription medicines, $40 million of unused pharmaceuticals are dumped in landfills each year. Is there a better way to deal with both the waste and the want?

Channeling Mardi Gras and the musical melting pot of Louisiana, Richter City Rebels bring horns, percussion and vocals, some James Brown charisma and the swagger of Big Daddy Kane and Professor Longhair into the RNZ studio. Video, Audio

Mark Rogers plays new music from William The Conqueror, Boo Ray and Lula Wiles, spins classic country from the Louvin Brothers and a slice of West Coast bliss courtesy of Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Last week, New Zealand's big media outlets were given the challenge of covering the Nelson Tasman fires with no idea how bad it would get or how long they would last. Colin Peacock looks at how they performed. Audio

Richard himself did not play a wind instrument, but he was the son of a great horn player and wrote memorable music for wind instruments. Erica Challis explores Strauss's brilliant writing for winds. Audio

Fleur Adcock was not surprised to learn that fellow poet James K Baxter wrote calmly about raping his wife in 1960, but the 85-year-old tells Kim Hill Baxter also gave her own writing much-needed encouragement. Video, Audio

The Solomon Islands Football Federation says it is "devastated" and will be asking questions of the country's government after forfeiting its place at the upcoming Under 17 Men's World Cup for fielding an overage player.

VIDEO: The Berlin-based Kiwi export performs her new song 'The Sacred' and chats to Kirsten Johnstone for RNZ Music. Video, Audio

RNZ Music presents a new 10-part web series that follows Northland thrash metal band Alien Weaponry on their journey to play at the world's biggest metal festival, Germany's Wacken Open Air.

Opinion - Despite their constant public relation spin that they're inclusive, you have to wonder if New Zealand sporting organisations actually care about women, Hamish Bidwell writes.

Sona Jobarteh becomes the first female African kora player to perform in NZ at next month's WOMAD Taranaki festival – and RNZ's Pick and Mix presenter can't wait.

RNZ Music’s reviewer Waveney Russ is impressed by an outstanding performance from Marlon Williams and won over by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

The perception of New Zealand held by Pacific leaders is changing, the deputy prime minister of the Cook Islands says.

A man arrested for election fraud in Solomon Islands is being accused of registering to vote in this year's election seven times using different names.

Old timey blues via Aussie musician C.W. Stoneking tells about working with Jack White and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, falling into the blues and reinventing himself throughout his career. Audio

As Tasman residents are forced out of their homes by fire, Alex Ashton asks whether NZ is ready for a drier future where huge forest fires are more frequent. Video, Audio

Opinion - Theresa May's government has now suffered 10 defeats over its Brexit policy. David Townsend looks to the future.

For the month of February, Daybreak is celebrating Mozart (the man and his music), inspired by an illustrated biography of the composer by New Zealander Donovan Bixley.

A dazzling real-life French actress of the 18th century inspired this week's opera from the Met. Anna Netrebko takes the title role in Adriana Lecouvreur, on RNZ Concert from 6pm.

Opinion - Playing games with the democratic process is the last thing New Zealand politicians need to be doing, writes Ryan Jones.