Features

In February, violinist Joshua Bell reunited with his longtime collaborative partner pianist Jeremy Denk for a recital broadcast live from Carnegie Hall. Tune in to Music Alive at 7:30pm to hear it. You may recognise Joshua's face from his cameo performances in the web television series 'Mozart in the Jungle'.

Nick Bollinger surveys a Nashville-recorded album by Oakland soul belter Shannon Shaw. Shannon in Nashville has echoes of Dusty in Memphis, he says. Audio

A business making meth is home-based, relatively straightforward to set up, potentially lucrative and the reason more New Zealand women are behind bars, says fashion designer Annah Stretton, who runs the charity RAW. Video, Audio

Kiwi chef Bridget Foliaki-Davis started researching her book Breakfast Around The World while on her "first proper holiday" at the 32. Audio, Gallery

While Youthline and Lifeline struggle to stay afloat, leaving calls for help unanswered, the government is funding a brand new helpline.

Jessica Gethin is in Auckland for singer Michael Bolton's 'Symphony Tour' with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The young Australian conductor is the first female Chief Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra and has been described as one of the most influential women in Australia. Audio

Congratulations to RNZ sound engineer Graham Kennedy who was awarded a 'Best Live Sound' finalist certificate in the prestigious New York Festival Radio Awards 2018 for 'Aotearoa Plus', a New Zealand Symphony Orchestra concert featuring the world premiere of Gareth Farr's Cello Concerto, Chemin des Dames alongside works by John Adams and Pierre Boulez.

Most public libraries in Ireland will soon be open until 10pm every day and overdue fines are to go in a bid to increase visitors. Ditching overdue fines here would be a fine idea, a librarian says. Audio

Once a Conservative government transport minister, Michael Portillo now makes television programmes that mix history and rail travel. He talks to Kim Hill about trains and Tory politics. Audio

The Kiwis side name three World Cup Toa Samoa players in their team for this weekend's test against England and the reaction is interesting.

The 55-kilometre traverse is the first Great Walk designed to be shared by cyclists and walkers. It will run from Blackball to Punakaiki and include a memorial track leading to the site of the former Pike River Mine. Audio, Gallery

Cy Mcleod is passionate about Kapahaka, health & fitness and moko. Justine Murray sits in on a session at his Mount Maunganui home where he talks about how the physical demands of being a moko artist led to a lifestyle change. Audio

Jon Toogood fell in love with a style of Sudanese music called Aghani-Al-Banat at his wedding a few years back. On the upcoming album from The Adults, a whos-who of up and coming Kiwi music talent get in on the sound. Video, Audio

You have to hand it to President Donald Trump - if his art of the deal is to create a crisis of unimaginable proportions as a means to force a breakthrough, he is very good at it, writes Stephen Jacobi.

Squeaky Bum Time hosts Emile Donovan and Max Towle are joined by Football Ferns legend Sarah Gregorius and RNZ's Patrick O'Meara to wrap the weekends action. Audio

On her new album No Shame, the British singer is still unrepentant but also vulnerable, says Nick Bollinger. Audio

New Zealand Opera has announced the appointment of Thomas de Mallet Burgess as General Director. UK born Burgess has just spent five years with Perth-based company Lost & Found, and before arriving in Australia was Creative Director at Wexford Opera House.

Female musicians in this country are allowed to wear trousers but in New York it's still skirts and dresses only on the concert platform.

Insight - Mycoplasma bovis is now this country's most expensive biosecurity breach. Conan Young asks whether eradication is even possible and what impact it will have on the way NZ farms. Video, Audio

"I don’t know who works away at inventing these titles, but this was a good one given the works on the programme."  - Did the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra deliver on it's promise? Reviewer Tony Ryan was there. Audio

An exhibition opening at MOTAT (Museum of Transport and technology) looks at the cultural impact of cars on New Zealand society. Audio, Gallery

The Bedouin Jerry Can Band are​ a collective of Egyptian semi-nomadic musicians and coffee grinders. Trevor Reekie catches up with them for a chat and enjoys an impromptu live performance.  Video, Audio

Before his third visit to New Zealand, we revisit a conversation RNZ had with Pulitzer Prize winning rapper Kendrick Lamar.