Features

A Wellington trust is hoping its barista training programme at Wellington's Arohata women's prison will change lives and smooth the transition from life on the inside to work on the outside. Audio

Natasha Wilson has made a big impression as Giannetta in Donizetti’s comedic opera Elixir of Love. The NZ Opera Emerging Artist has her sights set on the Lexus Song Quest and further study in San Francisco. Audio

Wellingtonian Paddy Burgin is a luthier by trade. He makes guitars and other stringed instruments, including mandolins and even the odd harp. He's also a fine folk musician and plays some of his songs live in the RNZ studio.  Audio, Gallery

Nese Godinet and Iavana Seuala from the Rewa All Stars hope their Fresh Prince of Bel-Air-inspired hip-hop routine going viral on the internet will help change perceptions of South Auckland.  Video, Audio

The Samoan prime minister, who is also the chair of the Samoa Rugby Union, says he verbally ripped into Manu Samoa players after two losses in the Pacific Nations Cup.

The Pacific Dance Festival in Auckland, now in its third year, attracted international talent for the first time. Audio

A diver operator in Solomon Islands has asked New Zealand's Volunteer Service Abroad to send a yoga instructor.

Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford's fine lace shawl continues a tradition of finely-crafted knitting that goes back to New Zealand's Scottish settlers and a royal birth in 1982.

"Blues, R&B, Elvis, punk rock... it all goes back to these vital, breathtaking recordings," said Jack White of the Document Records collection. Trevor Reekie catches up with its owner, blues aficionado Gary Atkinson. Audio

How do lesbians have sex? What's it like to be asexual? Or polyamorous? And how can a disability affect your sex life? Melody Thomas seeks answers from the people who know best.  Audio

Loyal fans from Invercargill to Kerikeri keep virtuoso songwriter Paul Ubana Jones still on the road after 45 years. He plays live for us and chats to Alex Behan. Video, Audio

Finland is the most metal country in the world. But which of their towns is the most metal of all? Tony Stamp investigates. Audio

The Pacific Games Council is confident Samoa is on track to organising a successful 16th edition of the tournament next year, the council's chief executive says.

The Mate Ma'a Tonga rugby league team need regular Test matches against New Zealand, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf says.

The first Indian to set foot on Aotearoa arrived in 1769. A new publication throws light on the buried history of the Indian diaspora to New Zealand. Audio, Gallery

Squeaky Bum Time - hosts Emile Donovan and Max Towle are joined by Yellow Fever’s Dale Warburton and Stuff's Liam Hyslop to look ahead to the final round of group games. Audio

South Auckland hip-hop dance crew the Rewa All Stars have grabbed the attention of mega star Will Smith with their Fresh Prince of Bel-Air routine. Two of the dancers, Iavana Seuala and Nese Godinet, talk about how they hope to change perceptions about South Auckland. Video, Audio

The very best in Americana, alt country and blues music, hosted by Mark Rogers. Monday nights after the 11 o'clock news on RNZ National, 101 FM.

Stuff and RNZ's new true crime podcast. Gone Fishing: Mayhem. Murder...Maybe...Gail Maney was jailed for 15 years for ordering a killing and maintains she's innocent.

A new play The Atom Room, performing at Circa Theatre in Wellington boasts a score by composer Ruth Carr from electronic group Minuit. Audio

Follow ten of New Zealand's finest young singers on their journey to the prestigious Lexus Song Quest final.

Samoa will look to ban all single-use plastic from January, its government said, in the latest move to protect the country's oceans.

At thirteen Taeko Yoshioka Braid survived a moment of history that changed the world forever; the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Produced by Lynda Chanwai-Earle. Audio, Gallery

An Australian telco's groundbreaking online coverage of the FIFA World Cup failed to fire this week, and this has sparked fears of frozen screens here during the Rugby World Cup next year. Video, Audio