Features

Take a length of spouting, whack it on the end with a jandal … great sound, instant percussion instrument. Tim Dodd explores the sights and sounds of the new From Scratch show and exhibition in Auckland.

Public Enemy's Chuck D and Rage Against The Machine's Brad Wilk talk power, politics and packing a punch with their new band Prophets of Rage. Audio

Always in the top five or so of 'Settling the Score', Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1 is given a passionate performance by Canadian soloist Karen Gomyo with the NZSO conducted by Edo de Waart.

Most of the bacon we eat is processed using sodium nitrite, which has been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. But many New Zealand firms are producing nitrite-free bacon. Audio, Gallery

Nick Bollinger listens to a lost album from transplanted American soul veteran PP Arnold. Audio

Tom Saunders has named a native parasitoid wasp after a Harry Potter character, in a bid to improve the reputation of these 'good' wasps. Audio

11 distinctly different Pacific villages showcased cultural performances, food, handicrafts and lifestyle at the annual Pasifika Festival.

Nick Bollinger discovers the stormy origins of The Free Agents Brass Band, who play Wellington's CubaDupa carnival this weekend.  

Find out what are the best-selling albums in New Zealand this week, with the RNZ Concert Classical Chart, every Saturday at 12 noon.

A whiskey distillery is to be set up in the small West Coast town, affected by the downturn in mining in region over the years. Audio

We've got interviews with Jack White of The White Stripes; Chuck D – formerly of Public Enemy, British pop superstar Dua Lipa, and more! Plus more live sessions from the WOMAD word music festival.

There are just a few days left to download your own copy of Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' Sonata played by Bella Hristova and Michael Houstoun.

Have you ever wanted to conduct an orchestra? Well you’ll have the chance to do just that at CubaDupa in Wellington this weekend. Audio

Tina Cross started her career on song and dance TV shows in the 70s. At 59, she's a songwriter, an ambassador for Women's refuge, and she runs workshops in prisons. She chooses songs and tells stories for The Mixtape.  Audio

The University of Auckland School of Music is about to undergo a major restructure that could see five highly valued staff members lose their jobs. Audio

Cartoonist and illustrator Toby Morris resisted getting hearing aids in his 30s, partly out of pride, and thinks he missed out on a lot while he was just bluffing along. Audio

Opinion - Wrong word, wrong situation. The All Blacks ad campaign for their June test series with France this week is tone deaf,  writes Jamie Wall.

Jack White has always gone against the grain, and his new album is full of new sounds and colourful characters. Kirsten Johnstone talks to him about Boarding House Reach. Video, Audio

  Video, Audio

Teenagers are always going to make silly decisions, but there are things parents can do to help minimise the risks. Audio

Jack White has always gone against the grain, drawing on early blues and analogue recording for The White Stripes when everyone else was going digital. His third solo record Boarding House Reach is packed with new sounds and colourful characters. He speaks to Kirsten Johnstone. Video, Audio

A smart buoy in Wellington harbour is phoning in information about sea conditions and how muddy water from the Hutt River moves around the harbour. Audio

Auckland, 1998. After a long, hot summer the lights suddenly go out in the city, and a weeks-long crisis begins. Audio

Nils Frahm’s music has been saddled with descriptions like ambient, but there’s a lot going on in his latest album All Melody, Nick Bollinger writes. Audio

Artificial intelligence is being used to screen job candidates. The problem is whether the system is open or fair - and jobseekers are starting to fight back. Audio