Features

Claims of hate speech and the right to free speech made the news this week in response to racially-charged commentary in the media. Audio

Jordie Lane is an Australian singer-songwriter and storyteller. He and his band The Sleepers are touring New Zealand at the moment, playing diverse venues, from sitting rooms to music festival Coastella. Video, Audio

The Open Road driver training programme for people from former refugee backgrounds is transforming lives, finds Lynda Chanwai-Earle. Audio, Gallery

Karl Maughan is the best known garden painter in New Zealand and his works are held in major collections in the UK. Charlotte Wilson visits him in his studio. Audio, Gallery

In some of the latest developments, Samoa's leader is pushing for local hotels to offer Samoa cuisine, while Vanuatu's government is urging farmers to meet the country's national target of food security.

Sumina Studer is one of three semi-finalists playing Mozart Quintets, tonight in Music Alive at 7pm on RNZ Concert.

Brendan O’Carroll on playing Mrs Brown, what he thinks of the critics and what makes people laugh. Audio

  Audio

It's been a week since Tonga's worst storm in decades, Cyclone Gita, hit the islands leaving hundreds homeless and others still struggling without power. Audio

Victims of the Solomon Islands' bloody ethnic tensions in the late 1990s are still calling for action on reconciliation. Audio

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says its bid to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group is still alive.

Sprinter Patricia Taea headlines an 18 strong Cook Islands delegation to compete at April's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

The World Bank says poor child and maternal health is hampering Papua New Guinea's long-term economic prospects.

For the Li family, after two decades in New Zealand, Chinese New Year is more than just festivities, as reporter Jessie Chiang found out for Checkpoint. Video, Audio

Christchurch band Salad Boys are currently on tour promoting their second album This is Glue. Video, Audio

Kapahaka is about reconnecting on an iwi, hapū and whānau level, says Turi Ngatai, a senior participant at the Mataatua regional competition. Audio

  Audio

Country Life heads to Mount Murchison for the 2018 Hang Gliding Nationals where 60 gliders soared up to 9000 feet into the sky. Audio, Gallery

Some people shun and avoid it at all costs but others love the rind, believing it's an integral and pleasurable part of any cheese-eating experience Audio, Gallery

Nick Bollinger discusses the chamber pop of Sunderland siblings Field Music. Audio

Roberto Alagna takes on the leading tenor roles in both parts of opera's favourite double bill. Opera on Sunday at 6pm on RNZ Concert.

Silicon Valley billionaires prepping for the apocalypse in New Zealand, Vogue's take on Jacinda Ardern and the arrival of Timothée Chalamet.

Michael Houstoun plays Bartók's final nostalgic piano concerto with Orchestra Wellington.

The 1920s was an era of alcohol, dancing, sex and music, characterised for many by New York's prohibition with its flappers and the Charleston, but New Zealand was not untouched by the jazz age. Video, Audio

  Video, Audio

Keen runner Matt Akehurst set himself a challenge to pick up 7000 pieces of litter in 70 days – and it’s turning out to be depressingly easy. Audio

The surprise release of a collection of songs by Celia Mancini is the result of a project between the musician and archivist Glen Brewer, who saw the project through to completion after Celia's sudden death last September. Video, Audio