Features

The editor-in-chief of the Samoa Observer says his paper has been able to survive many years of government opposition during its 40 years of existence.

New Zealand's Treasury is working to include a Pacific perspective on wellbeing and living standards in the country, in a move to be more inclusive.

The seas near Hawaii's shores are hugely important for the islands' economy, food security and culture, but they're considered to be seriously depleted. Audio

The Fiji Rugby Union have joined their Samoan counterparts in criticising a campaign by Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, that aims to highlight the lack of Pacific representation on the World Rugby Council.

The Papua New Guinea government is aiming to have all citizens registered with its National Identification and Civil Registry Office by 2021.

A prominent academic says a new fellowship fund in New Zealand will be important for saving Pacific histories that are at risk of being lost. Audio

Opposition broadcasting spokeswoman Melissa Lee once made publicly-funded TV for small audiences on TVNZ. Now she has a bill before Parliament to require funders to reveal audience statistics. Audio

There is more farmland than conservation land in New Zealand. But as tourist numbers climb, there are fears some farmers will stop giving the public access to their land, writes Maja Burry. Audio

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

Upstage by Michael Nicholas Williams has won the best musical film category at the Creation International Film Festival in Canada. 

Sophie Barnes was an architecture student whose life changed forever the day she helped deliver a lamb. The 26-year-old now lives on a farm near Taumarunui. Audio

Most of us let random, interesting-looking strangers walk on by - but not so Eva Krysiak. Richard Scott meets the woman behind the award-winning 'photographic podcast' Everyone Else. Audio

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

More than a third of New Zealanders are concerned their partners are spending too much time on their smartphone, a new survey has found.

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.