Features

Back in 1969, The Valley Stompers formed as a Dixieland jazz band Wellington's Hutt Valley. They've cracked on for over 50 years now and are now known as The New Valley Stompers. Audio

“Women hold up half the sky,” Mao Zedong is famously misquoted as saying. In her new book, historian Gail  Hershatter looks at just how heavy 'half the sky' has been for the Chinese women tasked with holding up this last 150 years.

It's been 15 years since Scribe released his ground-breaking debut The Crusader, one of the biggest NZ hip-hop albums of all time. To mark the album's anniversary, with thanks to Grindin.net, we take a look back at the making of one of its biggest tracks - 'Not Many – The Remix!'.

At The Movies - American Animals cuts between real life and dramatization, telling the true story of a heist that went wrong, writes Simon Morris. Audio

New Zealand composer Gareth Farr explains how he's added a stunning soundscape to Dylan Thomas' words for Under Milkwood. Audio

Auckland digital artist and film-maker Lisa Reihana, recently appointed MNZM, on kiwi music and the stories behind her work that amazed the world at the Venice Biennale 2017. Audio, Gallery

Although his first three symphonies had been descriptive of the sea, the city of London, and the countryside respectively, composer Ralph Vaughan Williams could not explain his Symphony No 4 in words. James MacMillan conducts the NZSO.

Yadana Saw tours the creative space of Orchestra of Spheres – a Wellington band whose onstage garb is as fantastical and out-there as their music. Video, Audio

Iraqi musician Rahim AlHaj regards himself as a peace activist who accompanies his message with his oud, one of civilization's most ancient stringed instruments. RNZ recorded his performance at WOMAD 2018.

A profession anchored in the principles of kindness and compassion doesn't do such a good job looking after its own, a resident doctor says. Audio

Opinion - The All Blacks have changed hotels this week in Tokyo, and it's fair to say it's been an interesting experience getting used to their new neighbourhood, writes Jamie Wall.

Translation is like a silent waiter that you only notice when it knocks over the serving cart, says acclaimed translator Mark Polizzotti. He talks with Bryan Crump about what makes a good translation. Audio

This week David Bremner speaks with horn-playing supremo Barry Tuckwell OBE. Audio

Harry Lyon of Hello Sailor joins us for the RNZ Music Mixtape; we celebrate the Otara Music Arts Centre's 30th anniversary; Leisure introduce their new song; we pay a visit to Orchestra of Spheres at their Wellington HQ; and heaps more!

At The Movies - Hunter Killer is an old-fashioned submarine thriller featuring a very unlikely take on modern US-Russian relations. Starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman, writes Simon Morris. Video, Audio

Remember that recording breaking skydiving jump last month over Abel Tasman when Wendy Smith jumped from 25,000 feet? Well it turns out the record actually set nearly 40 years ago. Audio

Nick Bollinger pays attention to an acoustic set from Kiwi bluesman Darren Watson. Audio

Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms had close relationships, both musically and personally. This concert from the Adam Chamber Music Festival in Nelson highlights their music.

Legendary NZ funk/soul band Supergroove briefly re-formed in 2007 and played together for the first time in 10 years at Auckland's King's Arms. RNZ recorded the performance.

Opinion - A week in politics really is a long time. In less than seven days the focus has swung from National's meltdown to demands for a ministerial resignation over a decision the government won't explain.

This Sunday commemorations will take place to mark the liberation of the French town of Le Quesnoy by New Zealand in World War I. Recordings from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision tell the story. Audio, Gallery

Auckland University in New Zealand has created a new Pacific role in its senior leadership team.

Mary answers listeners' questions about mortgages; including whether to fix or float, and for how long ? Also should you put extra money into your mortgage or your KiwiSaver? Audio

Educating a child at home can allow a parent to "light a fire in their hearts and minds" without pressure or competition, says Siobhan Porter, who has homeschooled all five of her kids. Audio