Features

RNZ Music's Kirsten Johnstone runs us through the best music podcasts for both music discovery and music deep-dives!

Rapa Nui's moai, or human figure statues, were ancient markers for freshwater in the territory, also known as Easter Island. Audio

A doctor who blew the whistle on Australia's wilful neglect of refugees detained on Nauru has won an award for free speech.

Reports from French Polynesia say work on the delayed Chinese fish farm on Hao atoll is set to begin in earnest in about three months as the investors again seek to modify the project.

Athletes from Papua New Guinea and Fiji are going mental in their preparations for July's Pacific Games in Samoa.

A system designed to clean up half of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is finally operational in the United States.

Freeman's Bookstore owners Tony and Lorraine are finishing up in the Molesworth Street shop their family has run for 98 years.

Wellington choir The Doubtful Sounds – who are led by Nights presenter Bryan Crump – perform songs by Johnny Nash, Nick Cave and Donna Summer with accompaniment from the Strung Out string quartet. Video, Audio

Which was the best Beatles album? Which was the worst? Nick Bollinger has devised a highly subjective method to work it out.

In a sumptuous production from New York Metropolitan Opera, we hear superstar soprano Diana Damrau in the title role, with new Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin in control from the pit. Opera on Sunday from 6pm on RNZ Concert.

Corn and avocados are in abundance and award-winning food writer Julie Biuso has some tasty ideas for what to do with them. Audio

This week, Mark Rogers spins some Cajun swing from Austin Pitre, classics from Little Feat and Bessie Smith and a Cuban-fused instrumental from Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban. Audio

The gender imbalance in music festival line-ups persists this year, despite the noise in promoters ears getting louder. Kirsten Johnstone asks why this is still an issue.

Training intensity has increased, strategy is in place and players have been addressed - now coach Noeline Taurua says it's time to work, writes Ravinder Hunia.

Our listener requests continue this week, and include the always-popular Brother James' Air, and William How's For all the saints. Audio

Welsh music journalist Simon Price wrote the definitive book on iconic Welsh rock act Manic Street Preachers. He joins Charlotte Graham-McLay to discuss the band and choose some of his favourite songs. Audio

Enjoy the peaceful sounds of Max Richter's epic eight-hour lullaby Sleep, from 10pm on RNZ Concert.

Kids' anxiety levels tend to go up as their return to school looms. Dr Emma Woodward.suggests people use the Three Ps of positive psychology as a framework for talking to their kids about how they can challenge their own inner pessimist. Video, Audio

NZ music industry stalwart Simon Grigg talks us through six of his favourite songs, and the people who helped shape his illustrious career for the RNZ Music Mixtape. Video, Audio

This afternoon we've a beautiful piano recital from Jun Bouterey Ishido recorded in the  Auckland Museum Auditorium, with music by Mozart, Ravel and Bartók.

New Zealand's four-time Asia-Pacific champion Elissa Mah says it's awesome to see more women taking up longboarding, ahead of Kaikōura's international festival. Audio

Local singing stars gathered by the water to celebrate Whanganui Opera School's 25th anniversary this week.

Susan Rogers was Prince's sound engineer on albums including Purple Rain and Sign o' the Times. It was four years of her life that left a huge impression, she tells Tony Stamp. Audio

Paul Jones was a "well-brought-up English boy" and devoted blues fan whose band Manfred Mann hit the charts with Dylan covers like 'Mighty Quinn'. He's visiting NZ this year with a reconfigured line-up of the band called The Manfreds. Video, Audio