Features

Rob Ruha, Seth Haapu and Ria Hall are the three finalists for the Maioha Award at this years Silver Scrolls – NZ's top songwriting awards. The Maioha Award celebrates excellence in popular Māori composition.

In celebration of the American composer's 100th birthday, William Dart shares a carefully curated selection of Bernstein covers from the likes of Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Waits and Little Richard. Audio

The former US Army solider sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking classified documents to Wikileaks tells Kim Hill it's been difficult re-adjusting to life on the outside. Audio

Roy Montgomery is a NZ guitarist more well known in international cult music circles than in his hometown of Christchurch. While his output is sporadic, his contribution to our musical landscape is vast and influential. He speaks to Kiran Dass.  Audio

Opinion - New Zealand's support services urgently need more resources, but we must also remember to support each other, writes Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson.

This opera set in ancient China features a very unusual score but it's still recognisably Puccini, bursting with instantly appealing melody. Listen to a concert version presented by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra from 6pm on RNZ Concert.

Since Douglas Lilburn, a wealth of Kiwi composers have been inspired by and collaborated with their literary counterparts. Upbeat pulls together some highlights.

With Leonard Bernstein's big hundredth birthday this year, it's time to open the Bernstein songbook and see what various interpreters have done. William Dart unearths versions by Nina Simone, Kiri Te Kanawa, Little Richard, and Tom Waits among others. Audio

This first authoritative biography of Bruce Lee is a welcome analysis of the making of an icon, whose image has lived on long after his death at 32. It is odd that there haven’t been more, Jeremy Rees writes.

The year 1918 saw the birth of Leonard Bernstein and the death of Lili Boulanger. Both composers are celebrated in this week's concerts from BBC Proms 2018.

Iconic singer-songwriter and Nobel prize-winner Bob Dylan is in New Zealand for concerts in Auckland and Christchurch. Nick Bollinger chooses five songs that offer a hint of what – and what not, to expect. 

Susan Rogers was Prince's sound engineer on albums including Purple Rain and Sign o' the Times. It was four years of her life that left a huge impression, she tells Tony Stamp. Audio

Former NZ Gardener editor Lynda Hallinan is a mad-keen gardener a former 65-acre smallholding in the Hunua Ranges, south-east of Auckland and is here to answer all your gardening questions.
  Audio

Load up your playlist with a selection of recent RNZ recordings featuring the mellow cello.

David Cohen gives us some compelling reasons to catch Bob Dylan live in Auckland tonight or in Christchurch on Tuesday.

West Auckland rapper Tom Scott plays tracks from his new jazz-inspired album Avantdale Bowling Club and chats to Jesse Mulligan about home, fatherhood and growing up. Video, Audio

The government must understand gang culture in order to fix New Zealand's prison problems, a Black Power elder says.

Canadian band Le Vent Du Nord recorded live at WOMAD 2018. Audio

David Cohen gives us some compelling reasons to catch Bob Dylan live in Auckland this Sunday or in Christchurch on Tuesday.

This week Nick Tipping plays music by guitarists Pat Metheny, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and John Scofield, a live number from Mulgrew Miller, and a classic from Mike Nock. Audio

Our Changing World - Research shows that nerves play a surprisingly important role in muscle loss, while exercise helps us maintain our strength. Audio

Tony Ryan looks back on a thought-provoking concert by the New Zealand String Quartet with Serenity Thurlow at 'The Piano' in Christchurch.

Plus Netball New Zealand eases its eligibility rule to allow Maria Folau to play in Australia - but is that good for the game? The RNZ Sport team explore these questions and more on Extra Time.

Mozart was poverty-stricken and near death when he wrote his Piano Concerto No 27. John Chen and the ACO play this and other works in this afternoon's matinée on RNZ Concert.