Features

Dung beetles are a natural and efficient way to to get nutrients down into the soil, keeps pastures clean and, in turn, help mitigate runoff into streams, says Dr Shaun Fogie of Dung Beetle Innovations. 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. Video, Audio

A member of pioneering German industrial group Einstürzende Neubauten, Alexander Hacke and his partner Danielle de Picciotto make immersive soundscapes with using  instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, droning guitars and autoharp and incorporate spoken word and throat singing. Video, Audio

The five members of Christchurch surf-rock / rockabilly band Hawaiian Maiden never turn down a pun or a cold one. They came in to serve us up a burst of summer with instrumental tracks from their latest album Better Hustle. Audio

Political and tribal violence in Papua New Guinea's Highlands is compounding the struggles in a region devastated by a major earthquake nearly four months ago. Audio

No matter the outcome of November's referendum on independence from France, ties with New Caledonia will remain friendly, Vanuatu's prime minister says.

Every one of the estimated 100,000 tourists heading to Mount Aspiring National Park each year travel through Randall Aspinall farm. When tourists spot his stock in the river, he'll sometimes hear about it on the news. Audio, Gallery

From next week Rarotonga in the Cook Islands will have a new mobile health clinic servicing the island's [13,000] thirteen thousand people. Audio

A new Pacific Marine Climate Change Report Card has been produced recently in Samoa as part of World Oceans Day activities to highlight the current science on the state of the Pacific Ocean. Audio

New and emerging writers of Pacific descent are being encouraged to apply for a new three month residency in New Zealand for three months next year. Audio

Choral singing is the most wonderful thing that human beings can do, says Morris Stuart, conductor of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir.The Song Keepers is a documentary following the choir's historic visit to Germany. Video, Audio

Nick Bollinger surveys the southern excursion of Oakland soul belter Shannon Shaw Audio

Dunedin band Death And The Maiden can count Shayne Carter among their growing number of fans. He invited them to perform at the Silver Scrolls last year, and since then they've released their second album of dark, electro-tinged pop, Wisteria Audio

Earlier this month, Idaho singer Eilen Jewell played in Auckland with a three-man band including ace guitarist, 75-year old Jerry Miller. William Dart checks out the man's beginnings back in the 60s with the band Moby Grape as well his most recent solo albums.

Would you consider biking to work if you were paid to? It's an idea that has been mooted in the Netherlands. The ambassador to New Zealand joined Jesse Mulligan to talk about the idea. Audio

Chef Martin Bosley mentors Rimutaka Prison inmates to prepare and serve a gourmet meal to the public every year for  Gate to Plate. He tells Jesse Mulligan about the programme and shares a recipe for smoked fish & pea risotto. Audio

From busking in Christchurch's Cashel Mall to four number-one albums, James Reid and Hamish Gee from The Feelers reflect on 25 years as one of New Zealand's most successful bands. Video, Audio

Online shopping is here to stay and it's a battle for many retail stores to keep their cash registers ticking over. Simon Pound from Ingrid Starnes and Angela Gordon from The Service Depot talk about what it takes to keep a business alive. Audio

Books and resources from the disestablished Creative Libraries at the University of Auckland could be pulped not burned in a shakeup announced yesterday.

The duo Ponguru (double bass player Phil Boniface and ngā taonga puoro player Alistair Fraser) team up with Māori narrator Rangimoana Taylor for a live performance of the ancient tale Tinirau and Kae. Video, Audio

Tapawera dairy goat farmer Tracy Hay has given each of her hundred or so kids a name. The self-confessed 'goatie' has hand-raised Tinkerbell, Treasure, Tambourine and Truffle et al so that they are completely focused on her. Audio, Gallery

Tony Stamp investigates Finland's quest to find the Global Capital of Metal, with help from their Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Audio

Gareth Farr's He iwi tahi tātou will receive it's Wellington premiere on Saturday night. It's the second in the NZSO's four landfall commissions.The first in the series was Salina Fisher's Tupaia. Audio

Rapper, writer and visual artist Jessica Hansell - aka Coco Solid - has received the 2018 Fulbright-Creative Pacific Writer’s residency.