Features

A scientific expedition in the Antarctic has set out on a quest to find Sir Ernest Shackleton's lost ship, The Endurance. Video, Audio

Enjoy a handpicked selection of great new songs from Aoteraoa and abroad each week. Hosted by audio obsessive Kirsten Johnstone and guests, no algorithms are used in the making of this programme.

Two accomplished barbershop singers join Jesse Mulligan to explain the addictive art form. Audio

The TVNZ broadcaster took on a 31-day zero-waste challenge this month and now she can't go back. "It's not gonna be just the month of January, it's gonna be the life of Miriama," she tells Jesse Mulligan. Audio

Opinion - In New Zealand, talks of a new centralist environmental party has raised the question of whether it is possible here for such a party to exist, Brigitte Morten writes.

Feeling stuck in a rut? Learning to embrace uncertainty could be a way forward, Schwartz tells Jim Mora. Video, Audio

NZTrio celebrates the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand with an all-female-composer concert.

Environmentalists want to stop Japan's plans to discharge what they say is more than a million tonnes of highly contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean.

Vesa-Matti Leppänen tells Upbeat about the NZSO's watery themed concerts. Audio

The Phoenix Foundation lead singer checks out the food, music and whacky shirts at this year's Laneway Festival in Auckland.

While the Tonga government says the impact of the communication shutdown on its activities has been minimal, that's not the case for many others in the country.

In the first new programme of New Horizons for the new year, a newly refreshed William Dart features American singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and her new album She Remembers Everything. Video, Audio

Papua New Guinea's government says it will ensure that assets used for hosting APEC last year are accounted for.

Niue is saying goodbye to its only duck, Trevor, who captured global attention after he showed up in 2018.

Power Play - It is no surprise talk of a new green centrist political party is being welcomed by National, because under MMP it will need a support partner if it is to take the reins again, writes Chris Bramwell.

Thomas de Mallet Burgess is the new general director of New Zealand Opera and is interested in seeing opera do more, smaller opera, supporting more local writers, working digitally and seeing NZ Opera supporting the entire sector. Audio

It wasn't till having her own daughter in the States that Reem Kassis realised the importance of nourishing her Palestinian roots. She shares with us the recipes for three family favourites from her book The Palestinian Table. Video, Audio, Gallery

Voices - Preparations have begun early for Polyfest, the annual cultural festival in Auckland; Sara Vui-Talitu reports. Audio

With record breaking temperatures, officials have issued health warnings, but what else can you do to keep cool in the first heatwave of 2019?

We don't all have big gardens to grow our greens, so Lynda Hallinan has advice on the kinds of things you can successfully grow on your window sill. Audio

Sergei Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil is a reflective and profoundly moving work, motivated by his deep religious faith. It's performed by Wellington choir Inspirare.

Fifteen years ago, Fiona McIntosh was working in the travel industry and raising twin boys, now she's a best-selling author of historical fiction and fantasy. Audio

Brothers Laurence, Sam and Nate Rhodes, whose ages range from 12 to 17 years old, make up the bluegrass band Rhodeworks. They join us for a fun, high-energy set and a chat with Jesse Mulligan. Audio

Fiji have defended their Hamilton Sevens title, thrashing the United States 38-0 in the final to usurp the Eagles at the top of the World Series standings.