Features

Unstructured play and allowing children’s imaginations to run wild is the key to nurturing creative, problem- solving young people, a child educator says. Audio

Nick Cave has often been a mythical character, a dark horse singing songs of depravity and desperate acts. And last night fans got the chance to ask him anything, in person. How would that go?

Legendary US rock group Fleetwood Mac have announced they'll be playing here in September. The shows will be the first chance for New Zealanders to see the group perform with new member Neil Finn.

Few albums convey a sense of place like True, the debut of Trinity Roots. Nick Bollinger discusses how this recording became inseparable from its location. Audio

Innovative and influential American jazz guitarist Bill Frisell offers a sweetly dark and dreamy evening of re-imagined cinema and TV soundtrack music in his first ever New Zealand show. Audio

Mental health is like fitness – we all have good and bad days, according to Mike Conza. He says the amateur crew he was part of couldn't have completed the 3,000km Tour de France circuit last year without each other's support. Video, Audio, Gallery

Stars of New Zealand opera gathered by the water to celebrate Whanganui Opera School's 25th anniversary last night.

Archaeologists have uncovered moa-bone fish-hooks and other astonishing evidence of voyaging Polynesians settling in Aotearoa more than 700 years ago.

The NZ Opera School celebrates 25 years with a special concert on the historic paddle steamer Waimarie.

Back in 2014, Jill Stark seemed to be living the dream... then a violent panic attack put her on the floor of a newsroom. The Scottish-Australian journalist talks to Karyn Hay about rebuilding her life after the breakdown. Video, Audio

A crime spree linked to notorious prison escapee Tommy Baker has companies in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay province threatening to close.

A former Australian government minister has broken rank to criticise the government's new loan programme for the Pacific.

In the realm of NZ's rare flightless parrot, young male Tākitimu is super-stud of the year … so far. Plus the Kākāpō Recovery Team prepare to take a new, radical approach to making as many kākāpō babies as possible.

Around 300 couples and individuals are waiting, hoping to adopt a baby in New Zealand at any one time. But in the past year the number available for adoption is down to around 20. Audio

In this episode of Pop! Culture, Melody Thomas and Tony Stamp explore queer representation in television, film and pop music and where LGBTQIA+ audiences are hoping it will go from here. Audio

Nick Bollinger investigates the self-titled debut of The Mutton Birds, and talks to the group's founder and songwriter Don McGlashan. Audio

Market access under a hard Brexit is the major implication New Zealand must watch out for now, former NZ trade negotiator Charles Finny says.

Seventy-five young musicians are enjoying a week-long summer school run by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra aiming to perform in a concert at the Auckland Town Hall tomorrow.

A Cook Islands paramount chief wants to re-start discussions on finding a Cook Islands Maori name for the country.

Fleetwood Mac have announced they'll be playing here in September. The shows will be the first chance for New Zealanders to see the group perform with new member Neil Finn.

LA-based Australian musician Nick Cave and fashion designer Susie Bick have visited a children's grief workshop while in New Zealand for Cave's performances in Wellington and Auckland.

Legendary US rock group Fleetwood Mac have announced they'll be playing here in September. The shows will be the first chance for New Zealanders to see the group perform with new member Neil Finn.

The Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute is urging jet skiers and boaties to be on the look-out for little blue penguins and Hector's dolphins. Audio, Gallery

Check out the new collection of RNZ recordings featuring the versatile clarinet.