Features

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

Tali makes a welcome return to the world of drum and bass with her new album Love and Migration. Video, Audio

Award-winning voice in Pacific literature Lani Wendt Young speaks to Lynn Freeman about pursuing her love of writing stories in the face of publishers' initial reluctance and weathering ugly on-line abuse.  Audio

At The Movies - Mandy, starring Nicolas Cage and Andrea Riseborough, is a revival of the old 'video nasties' of the Eighties, writes Simon Morris. Video, Audio

Kids with loved ones at Arohata Women's Prison are getting audio stories read by them thanks to a programme called Bedtime Stories, run by Wellington university lecturer Kerryn Palmer. She's fundraising to roll it out at Rimutaka. Video, Audio

Analysis - Violent events in the US are causing fears and concerns around the "dark web", but the actual services that make it up are not well understood, writes Robert Gehl for The Conversation.

If Cyclone Alerts are issued for South Pacific countries, RNZ Pacific will broadcast hourly updates of these bulletins if necessary, and whenever the situation changes. These will be heard either just before the top of each hour or following news bulletins at the top of each hour.

New Zealand's Foreign Ministry will use a new dedicated TV channel for the Pacific to promote its investment in the region.

A school principal should be like a preacher - motivating and inspiring students, teachers and parents at the same time, says Hamish Brewer, a Kiwi who's winning education awards for his work in the American state of Virginia. Video, Audio

New Zealanders may have taken so kindly to the kiwi as a national symbol because we like to see its characteristics in ourselves, says Geoff Norman, the author of Birdstories – a new book about New Zealand's native birds. Audio, Gallery

The Wellington council is enlisting the help of Porirua locals to have a think about how their community can help make the water in their catchment and harbour cleaner and healthier. Audio

After a baby whale shark named Gulliver was discovered in a remote atoll in Tokelau, children were kept away from the water for months – now he's become a local attraction.

Neneh Cherry's 1988 single ‘Buffalo Stance’ is still one of the great dance hits of all time. Now in her 50s, the Swedish singer gets reflective on a new album which proves her talents are still intact, says Nick Bollinger. Audio

The number one way to avoid being a jerk is to avoid the company of jerks, according to American academic and toxic personality expert Bob Sutton. Audio

In 2050, there'll be 383,000 New Zealanders over the age of 85. How do we prepare to support this incoming army of elders? Professor Ngaire Kerse talks about what we've learnt from the government-funded LiLACS NZ study. Video, Audio, Gallery

Analysis - There were two big housing stories this week, two quite different approaches to them and one clear signal where the government's focus lies, Guyon Espiner writes.

If you really want to scare the kids in your neighbourhood tonight, RNZ Music's Kirsten Johnstone has some recommendations... Video, Audio

Teachers have one of the toughest jobs in the world, and educational games can help them prepare students for the jobs of the future, according to Microsoft's Deirdre Quarnstrom. Video, Audio

Listen to the latest updates from the partnership between NZSO, SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music and RNZ Concert, to create high quality recordings of NZ orchestral works.

The Auckland artist and filmmaker talks to Charlotte Wilson about Kiwi music and her show-stopping Venice Biennale video work In Pursuit of Venus [Infected]. Audio, Gallery

In the last few years, a number of high-profile Wellington venues have closed and the capital is often ignored by touring international acts. Jack Barlow surveys the scene.

This Thursday is World Vegan Day and Kiwi vegans have extra cause for celebration. Soon, food products that have been certified as 100 percent animal-free will carry a logo thanks to a new accreditation system. Audio

After a baby whale shark named Gulliver was discovered in a remote atoll in Tokelau, children were kept away from the water for months and local leaders plotted its death.