Features

In a world of electronic distractions we are being urged to be ‘mindfull’- but how? Poetry can help says an academic and poet. Audio

Elgar's Enigma Variations played by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is available now as a free classical download. The set of 14 variations are sketches of Elgar's friends ... well, actually 12 other people, the composer himself, and a dog.

Streaming services are sparking some of the biggest changes ever seen in the film business, but NZ's cultural voice can be heard more clearly than ever, says the Film Commission head. Audio

Nick Bollinger considers the first collaboration between singer-songwriter Laura Marling and folk-tronicist Mike Lindsay. Audio

A southern right whale in Wellington Harbour is a sign that the species is recovering after being hunted nearly to extinction. Audio

Antonia Prebble of Outrageous Fortune says she's loving being back in New Zealand for a longer stint and doing some writing again, as season four of prequel Westside starts airing.  Audio

Auckland's Matariki Festival includes performing arts students from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. One of the performers involved in the Matariki on the Move: Ngahau show, Reuben Naera, performs for us in our Auckland studio Audio

Boys like to communicate, but the way we adults talk to them is crucial. Get it wrong and they shut down, get it right and it can be transformative, a psychologist says. Audio

Two of the country's major cities - Auckland and Wellington - are considering introducing light rail to their public transport system. Vancouver transport manager Dale Bracewell, who spoke in the capital recently, had some advice.  Audio

These Croatian virtuosos duelling cellos version of Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' got three million hits on YouTube in two weeks. They then supported Sir Elton John's global tour. Hear them play, and in conversation with Trevor Reekie. Video, Audio

Nick Bollinger spends some quality time with the latest epic from tenor sax titan Kamasi Washington. Audio

Theresa May, Britain's PM for less than two years, has lost control of the kitchen and cannot keep the lid on things. Too many other ambitious cooks surround her, writes David Townsend.

Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft hopes to stay on in the job he's had for two years, he told Kim Hill there is now a chance of a non-partisan approach to child poverty. Audio

The New Zealand String Quartet is joined by international pianist Kathryn Stott for this CMNZ concert, in Auckland. She plays solo piano music by Fauré & Ravel, then together they play quintets by John Psathas and César Franck.

The three-piece teenage metal thrash band, whose songs are inspired by Māori history, released their first album, Tū, last month to huge success and now a documentary about the band has been released. Video, Audio

The modern definition of mental health as being something positive to aspire to should be viewed with suspicion, according to philosopher Simon Keller. Audio

A mother and daughter team is keeping Gujarati cooking traditions alive, across the generations and across the miles. Audio, Gallery

The director of Pacific Strategy and Engagement at the University of Auckland says New Zealand's curriculum fails to reflect its students from Pasifika and other minority backgrounds. Video, Audio

NZ music industry stalwart Simon Grigg talks through six of his favourite songs, and the people who helped shape his illustrious career for the RNZ Music Mixtape. Video, Audio

Holly Arrowsmith won the Tui for Best Folk album in 2016 for her first LP For The Weary Traveller, and a few years later has delivered its follow up A Dawn To Remember. Video, Audio

Further deterioration of mental health among refugees on Manus Island, and a lack of psychiatric support "will lead to serious, adverse outcomes", the UN refugee agency says.

LA-based Kiwi songwriter Eddie Johnston (Lontalius) listened to a lot of Coldplay and U2 as a kid. He says their "big choruses" inspired his two new songs about lust and love. Video, Audio

Fisheries ministers from around the region have unanimously appointed Manumatavai Tupou-Roosen as the next director general of the Forum Fisheries Agency.

An American Samoan playing for the Denver Broncos American football team has pledged $US640 thousand US to fund a new health centre in Tafuna.