Features

In the first episode of a new season of Bang! Melody Thomas explores how people feel about "the first time", and asks if the way we talk about virginity is actually a little unhelpful. Audio

A treat for lovers of the cello - a full recital by Inbal Megiddo and Jian Liu with music by Brahms, Beethoven and The Barber like you've never heard him before. Music Alive at 7.30pm and here on demand.

Researchers discovered that when a café played quieter music people chose healthier options, like salads. They now think quiet classical music can induce relaxation and help influence positive decision making!

How well do you know your New Zealand music? To celebrate NZ Music Month, we've teamed up with Ngā Taonga - NZ's audiovisual archive, to create this (quite challenging!) local music quiz...

The young Australian's second album is great but don't expect the wit and energy of her debut, says Nick Bollinger.  Audio

New Zealanders can now pay $4000 for a water ionizer that claims to have therapeutic health benefits for diseases including cancer and diabetes, but is it money down the drain? Audio

Celebrated photographer Peter Peryer looks back at his archives and a 35 year career capturing some of New Zealand's most iconic images. Audio, Gallery

Untreated hearing loss can hasten the decline in processing information as we age, and researchers are turning their attention to which hearing aids might help older people best. Audio

Sami Sister and Trip Pony performer Priya Sami took a life-changing journey to India, her father's homeland, to trace her roots through traditional Indian song. As she told Kim Hill, it was "way harder" than she thought it would be. Audio

Priya is the sister of Madeleine and Anji Sami, and together they perform as the Sami Sisters. Priya recently traveled to India for the first time to learn traditional Carnatic singing. She has come back exhausted, but fired up with enthusiasm for her new musical project. Audio

Michael Vinten's Sinfonietta is a light and dance-influenced piece that reflects his considerable experience working with youth orchestras. #NZMM 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.

Wellington pâtissier Maxine Scheckter – fresh from working at celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal's restaurant – shares her recipe for chocolate canelés. Audio, Gallery

A new album from Eleanor Friedberger – one half of the brother-and-sister duo The Fiery Furnaces – takes William Dart back to the future. Video, Audio

Fine art photographer David Yarrow has an eye for wildlife, indigenous communities and landscapes. His pictures are highly sought after and sell for thousands. Audio, Gallery

You can get in the mood for next week's Wellington Jazz Festival by checking out RNZ's recordings from the 2017 Festival.

The impact British musician Ed Sheeran had on Dunedin has been felt long after his three shows in the city, with news his visit injected almost $38 million into the local economy.

The market for consumer DNA tests is booming, but cultural psychologist Steven Heine says we've been oversold their value. Audio

Mediawatch - A machine that writes Mike Hosking opinion pieces was unveiled recently in Auckland. Just a gimmick, but AI and machine learning are already at work in our media. Video, Audio

Wellington hip-hop artist Rei dropped into the RNZ studios to perform his songs 'Kia Tau' and 'Rangatira', from his new te reo Māori EP Rangatira. Video, Audio

Cash-strapped people all around the world are doing online jobs that pay well under the minimum wage. This Way Up gets the lowdown on the flourishing – and largely unregulated – digital employment market. Audio

Miriama Young composed this meditation in piano and electronics drawing on the ancient song of the once prolific North Island kōkako. #NZMM Video, Audio

Fermented foods helped ease Bonnie De Gros's gut pain and anxiety, but it wasn't until they improved her son's health that she became "hard into" their benefits. The food blogger shares simple recipes for sauerkraut and coconut yoghurt. Audio

Te Ahi Kaa marks 40 years since the land occupation of Takaparawhā - Bastion Point with a 1978 radio programme hosted by Māori broadcaster Whai Ngata. Audio