Features

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has completed a whirlwind trip of the Pacific Islands, stopping in Samoa, Niue, Tonga and the Cook Island.

The Department of Conservation is fighting a losing battle repairing tracks eroded by the sea in parts of the Abel Tasman National Park - one of this country's most visited spots. Video, Audio

Rats kept getting into Hannah Smith’s compost bin. When none of the traps she tried solved the problem she invented her own. Audio, Gallery

Neil Finn has been busy lately. He’s just finished a tour of small-town venues with his ‘family band’ and is about to perform his Out of Silence album live with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Video, Audio

Broods’ frontwoman Georgia Nott has a new album out today, on International Women’s Day. For The Venus Project, she has collaborated with an all women crew, from players to publicists. Video, Audio

Carolyn Mills tells Upbeat about her life as NZSO principal harpist, for International Women's Day. As a female professional musician she says "New Zealand is a pretty egalitarian place. It’s one of the wonderful things.” Video, Audio

The British pianist performs Rachmaninov's retro-styled Fourth Piano Concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, alongside symphonic works by Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky.

In the icy waters of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, a protest boat is rammed by Japanese whalers and sinks soon afterwards. But who was really to blame? Video, Audio

The finalists for the Taite Music Prize have been announced, and they're some of RNZ Music's favourite artists.

The Samoa Government says its proposal that the country's seasonal workers be eligible for permanent residency in New Zealand is on the agenda for future bilateral talks.

One of NZ's most distinguished expat musicians is concert organist Dame Gillian Weir, who only recently retired from international touring and performing. She talks with Charlotte Wilson. Audio

Samoa's Scientific Research Organisation has successfully produced whisky from talo.

Tokelau's new Ulu Afega Gaualofa says plans for air services are still on the table, only months after New Zealand cracked down on the territory's controversial helicopter buy.

A disease resistant variety of Rhinoceros Beetle is threatening the Solomon Islands coconut and palm oil exports. Audio

There’s no rush to learn to write and it shouldn’t be formally taught until the age of seven, says educator, researcher and parenting commentator, Nathan Mikaere-Wallis. Audio

Bella Hristova won the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2007 and has maintained a special relationship with NZ. Here she collaborates with Michael Houstoun in the Kreutzer Sonata.

Simon Morris reviews movies with an Oscar connection: Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool, Chile’s A Fantastic Woman, and Jennifer Lawrence's thriller Red Sparrow. Video, Audio

The finalists for the Taite Music Prize have been announced, and they're some of RNZ Music's favourite artists. The prize recognises outstanding creativity in an album or EP.

Claire Cowan and Sarah Belkner's delicious arrangements of Björk songs for The Blackbird Ensemble come together in a 'bijou spectacle' called All is Full of Love. Video, Audio

The only slight glitch on Ross Taylor's incredible innings yesterday at University Oval in Dunedin was that he didn't get to hit the winning runs, writes Jamie Wall.

Is there a discernible female voice in the music of our composers? Elizabeth Kerr takes a look at the vitality of women's composition in this country. Audio

A nationwide experiment is investigating how estuaries might suddenly 'tip' as a result of increasing nutrients and sediments. Audio

The new video for 'Mechanical Bull', by Australia's Stella Donnelly is a confronting take on the objectification of women. It was made by NZ director, Charlotte Evans.

The new vid for 'Mechanical Bull', by Australia's Stella Donnelly is a confronting take on the objectification of women. It was made by the director responsible for Aldous Harding's 'Blend', 'Imagining My Man', and 'Horizon' videos: Charlotte Evans.