Features

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

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Basement Theatre, Melody Thomas and guests dispense advice, tell personal stories and our own Susie Ferguson reads the sex headlines. Audio

Auckland festival The Others' Way will be returning to K Road in August for its fourth year. The first lineup announcement includes Headless Chickens, Bailterspace, Superette, The Beths, Troy Kingi and many more.

The long-serving pianist for the Lexus Song Quest has a unique vantage point for spotting talent. “The quality of sound and the musical instinct, you can assess that in two bars." Terence Dennis explains the vital role of the accompanist in supporting our young singers. Audio

Dunedin fans wowed Kendrick Lamar, writes Yadana Saw, who was among thousands at the award-winning rapper's first date of his New Zealand tour.

Dunedin fans' a cappella rap impressed Kendrick Lamar, says Yadana Saw, who joined thousands at the award-winning rapper's first DAMN. show in New Zealand.

Behind every good singer ... there's a dedicated teacher. Judy Bellingham tells Upbeat that teachers often also need to be "mother, confidante, life coach – everything.” Audio