Features

Since its release at a budget price in 1970, The Human Instinct's Stoned Guitar has become recognized as a classic of psychedelic rock. Nick Bollinger discusses how it came about. Audio

Melbourne teacher Elle Joy finds that a low-FODMAP diet helps ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. She's written an eBook of recipes to help others with the condition. Audio

An eclectic bunch of New Zealand musicians made it big in 2018. RNZ Music takes a look at some of the Kiwi artists whose stars burned bright this year.

Hydrodynamics scientist Graeme Smart spends most of his time assessing natural hazards, but recently he's devoted some to creating a music score written by nature. Video, Audio

New Zealand's iconic Edmonds Cookbook has had many recipes come and go since its first edition in 1908. Alexa Johnston - editor of the most recent (2016) edition - talks to us about what did and didn't make the cut. Audio, Gallery

In the final Sampler for 2018 Nick Bollinger revisits a few of the standout releases from the past twelve months. Audio

Your free classical podcast for January is The Mermaid by Alexander Zemlinsky, played by the NZSO as part of the 2018 New Zealand Festival.

How will Anderson.Paak's Spark Arena performance compare with his blistering Laneway appearance in 2018? Paak fan Yadana Saw was there to see the funk, hip hop rap artist at his first ever arena show.

Catch up with composer John Psathas and the exciting opportunities that 2019 has for him. Audio

Christchurch designer Steven Junil is committed to creating only objects with both functionality and integrity. He hand-makes clothes, shoes and accessories with natural, found and recycled materials for his label 6x4.  Audio, Gallery

In a country with heavy sophisticated censorship, no sexual harassment laws and no press freedom, it's a huge triumph that the women's movement is on the rise, says New York-based academic Leta Hong Fincher. Audio

Music and literature reviewer Kiran Dass picks her best books about music from 2018.

A Taizé chant, the Seafarers' Hymn (Eternal Father), and a psalm from the Scottish Psalter are among today's listener requests. Audio

Musicians often 'let their hair down' after their performances to show a different side to their personalities. Here's a selection of recent encores heard in New Zealand.

Freddy Tu'akalau from the popular South Auckland restaurant Eight Roses shares with us his recipes for Lu Pulu (corn beef in taro leaves), Pacific ceviche and lime and mango cheesecake. Audio

Taking advantage of the Canterbury landscape, Christchurch director Martin Sagadin has created stunning music videos for the likes of Marlon Williams, Girlboss, Ben Woods and Motte. He says 2018 has been a landmark year for music in the region.

What constitutes an invasive species? And is it ever possible to kill with kindness? Kim Hill tackles some thorny questions with a panel of experts.

Critic for the New Yorker, Alex Ross provides commentary for a whirlwind tour of 20th century classical music provided by Stroma and Bianca Andrew.

“She came up to me and went, ‘You look interesting', I breathed out this sigh of relief and went: "There you are", I can finally breathe out, and relax, and be myself. I found my best mate.” Video, Audio

The broad Kiwi accent of Woof Woof – a rescued tūī from the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre – got science communication student Joel Zwartz thinking about how it is that birds can talk... Audio

Karen O'Leary is a preschool educator by day and a cop in the TV series Wellington Paranormal by night. She chooses some favourite tunes, shares some of her own compositions and chats to Yadana Saw. Audio

New Zealand's oldest exotic tree – a Williams good Christian pear tree near Kerikeri – enters its third century this year. Audio

The big-hearted efforts of the entire cast aren't enough to save Mary Poppins Returns from redundancy, reports Dan Slevin.

Enjoy a selection of pieces by the many women composers contributing to the classical music scene in New Zealand.