Features

Children are the future – but modern advice on parenting can be a morass of conflicting claims and pinned blame. Some experts help us navigate.

Justine Murray chats with Northland health advocate Geoff Milner, artist Marilynn Webb and police officer turned secondhand clothing entrepreneur Ra Mead. Audio

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell celebrated her 75th birthday this year. Her music and story still resonate with many. Rebecca Blundell traces her life and music in this series from Composer of the Week.

Manuel de Falla's steamy ballet including the 'Ritual Fire Dance' is played with authentic Spanish passion by pianist Marta Zabaleta.

Carrot-grower Rodger Hobson was part of a group of UK farmers who made a whirlwind tour of NZ's agricultural production systems recently. He says British farmers have much to learn from our agriculture sector. Audio, Gallery

Did you know that the tomato only became popular here around 1920? Our national diet has undergone massive changes in the last half-century. Duncan Smith explores how and why.

From Matamata farmboy to Snapchat darling, actor, playwright and comedian: Tom Sainsbury speaks to Kathryn Ryan about getting under the skin of Paula Bennett and Simon Bridges, among others. Audio, Gallery

Best of 2018 - In July, this documentary explored the value of te reo Māori, with RNZ's Māori Correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan asking current learners what they are getting out of it.  Audio

More than 7400 people are already using a new website Joblist which connects people with others who are willing to tackle their chores for a fee. Audio

When you have it, you don't notice it - but when it's gone it's all you can think about. Health is pivotal to all our lives and these 10 articles from the past year delve into new science and unhealthy cultures in the industry.

In the mood for some Kiwi nostalgia? Create a playlist from Chris Bourke's audio history of popular music recorded in New Zealand in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Whanganui-based musician Anthonie Tonnon talks to RNZ Music's Kirsten Johnston at the completion of Rail Land - a tour where he and the audience travelled to and from the gigs by train. 

Handel's essential Christmas story in music, as memorably performed in Wellington this month. Nicholas McGegan conducts The Tudor Consort, the NZSO, with soloists Madeleine Pierard, Kristin Darragh, James Egglestone and Martin Snell. Audio

Need some reading recommendations? Writer Kate De Goldi and literary festival director Laura Kroetsch tell Kim Hill about their favourite books of the year. Audio

Best of 2018 - In October, the In Depth team's Susan Strongman talked to Zoe Helene, a 'psychedelic feminist' Kiwi now living in the United States, who leads women on hallucinogenic journeys in the Amazon jungle. 

Vocalist Jacqui Dark and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey entertain us with popular songs and music for Christmas.

A Picton-based social enterprise is - among other things - turning old wine barrels from nearby Marlborough vineyards into ornamental skateboards etched and painted with local artists' designs, and feeding the profits back to charity. Audio, Gallery

Christmas Day is supposed to be about family. But for a lot of us, family is not entirely happiness, joy and twinkling stars, writes Rose Davis.

All the world's a stage - and these days, a screen. Actors can have some unique and astute insights on culture, and these 10 articles and interviews from this year prove it. 

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra celebrates Christmas in style each year, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell. The 2017 concert features New Zealand soprano Madeleine Pierard and the Graduate Choir singing carols and seasonal favourites.

What if all those 'Santa Clauses coming to town' actually drive us out of the shops? Nikki Mandow explores the value of Christmas music as a retail tool. Audio

Filmmaker Roseanne Liang looks at why cheesy Christmas movies are so important at this time of year.

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

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra has a great tradition of celebrating Christmas with a popular concert at Holy Trinity Cathedral. This year's is a cracker!