Features

Human Rights Watch says asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island should immediately be evacuated.

Most of the 150 Niuean men who enlisted had never left the tiny Pacific nation before, and had no immunity to European disease. Within months of serving abroad more than 80 percent had been hospitalised.  The story is captured in Margaret's latest book, Niue and the Great War. Audio

One science teacher in South Auckland has gone from having six students in his chemistry classes in 1997 to having chemistry, physics and biology classes that are bursting at the seams. Audio

An ecological project in Vanuatu has been trailing upcycling techniques to help the government with the next stage of its plastics ban.

Take a moment for a little humour. The Works limerick competition focuses on stringed instruments this week, offering creative rhymes for zither, viola, and harp, among others.

The Vanuatu Red Cross has taken aid for 1000 families to the island of Ambae following fresh volcanic activity this week, and say the people there are remarkably resilient.

A love story that transcends culture and faith lies behind a new collaborative album from Shihad’s Jon Toogood. Video, Audio

Pātea was once the world's largest cheese-shipping port, sending 20,000 tonnes a year to the UK in 1950, but just 20 years later the country had to fight to protect that trade as Britain ‘Brentered’ negotiations with Europe. Audio, Gallery

Edie’s not perfect, but it does get better as it goes along.  You want to know the character, and it’s a tribute to the cunning of Sheila Hancock that she lets you in gradually, rather than all at once. Video, Audio

Drums, cymbals, xylophones and triangles are just some of the many instruments that come under the heading of percussion. Composers are writing increasingly innovative music for them and here you can enjoy a selection as recorded by RNZ Concert.

New Zealand is looking at opening up access to its drug buying agency PHARMAC to five Pacific Island countries.

A love story that transcends culture and faith lies behind a new collaborative album from Shihad’s Jon Toogood. Video, Audio

Researchers say that liquid fuels made from sawdust from specially planted plantation trees could be a winner in New Zealand. Audio

Widescreen - Dan Slevin delves deeper into the 2018 film festival programme and looks at some of its less heralded entries.

The Gruffalo is a children’s story that tells a story about a smart mouse who goes on a mission and meets The Gruffalo. Award-winning composer and conductor Terry Davies conducts the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra this weekend in a family-friendly performance based on the book. Video, Audio

Photographers Maryanne Bilham and Robert Knight have spent their careers capturing the images of music royalty. Now they are back in Auckland and keen to nurture local talent. Audio, Gallery

Australia might have solved one of life's burning issues - the bruised avocado. Audio

An Auckland dog owner has been reunited with her dog who was stolen from outside a Burger Fuel nearly three months ago. Video, Audio

It's the school holidays, so RNZ Concert asked a younger member of the family to suggest some tunes they'd like the NZSO to consider playing.

A humanoid robot called Nao, and swarms of bio-inspired little robots that behave like social insects, wowed crowds at Dunedin's International Science Festival. Video, Audio

Gurrumul's producer, collaborator and friend Michael Hohnen talks about the Aboriginal and blind-from-birth musician who was described by Rolling Stone Magazine as "Australia's most important voice". Video, Audio

Her beauty and glamour bewitched legions of admirers, while her acerbic tongue and indulgent lifestyle was notorious. A new book tells Margaret's story through the people who knew her. Audio

As the compact disc goes the way of the wax cylinder, box sets of music on CD are - curiously - getting bigger. Nick Bollinger looks under the lid.

Sports stars including Black Fern Selica Winiata are calling for less pressure on children to play sport at a high level and just focus on having fun. Audio