Media Releases
Monthly highlights: August
Released at 2:02 pm on 29 July 2025
Tuesday 29 July
Coming soon
Stolen Lands: A Highlanders Quest | Documentary series
Monday 11 August
History
In this new gripping documentary series, follow Clan MacDonald survivors as they unite with Māori and chief Te Rauparaha against the British Crown. Witness their journey, cultural exchange, and unyielding bond with the land in this inspiring tale of resilience. Available Monday 11 August on rnz.co.nz/video. Made with the support of NZ On Air.
Context | Podcast & Video
Tuesday 19 August
Politics, History
Context is the backstory to the front page. In this chatcast, award-winning investigative journalist Guyon Espiner and Morning Report co-host Corin Dann take you on a trip through time with a story making headlines in New Zealand today, asking the question: How did we end up here? But there's a twist - only one of them knows the topic in advance. Being fair and balanced types they swap roles each week, one being the expert and the other the interested interviewer. Context is a fun and accessible way for New Zealanders to get a greater understanding of how our political past shapes our present. Available from Tuesday 19 August on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and all podcast platforms. Also available to watch on rnz.co.nz/video.
Cutting the Curve | Documentary series
Monday 25 August
Fashion, Society & Culture
Launching to coincide with NZ Fashion Week, new documentary series Cutting the Curve is a bold look at fashion, culture and power. In an era of Ozempic bodies and curated tokenism, curve and plus-size women speak with fierce honesty about visibility, rejection, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up when your body is no longer trending. Timely, urgent, and powerfully relatable, Cutting the Curve explores the backlash against body diversity in fashion. At the centre is Samoan New Zealand opera singer-turned-model Isabella Moore, who refuses to shrink to fit. Through raw, first-person storytelling, the series follows Isabella and other women navigating fashion in New Zealand, London, and New York, revealing what it costs to be visible only when it’s profitable, and why true inclusion must go beyond trends. Launching on rnz.co.nz/video from Monday 25 August. Produced by Notable Production and made possible with funding from RNZ.
Radio news
RNZ National
100 Years of RNZ on air
RNZ has commissioned a short series of essays and short stories by New Zealand writers to commemorate RNZ's 100 years on air in Aotearoa. These essays will be published on rnz.co.nz/life from Sunday 27 July and produced as on-air readings for RNZ National.
New Music 101 host
Kara Rickard (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Koata, Tainui) steps into the new role as host of flagship music programme Music 101 on RNZ National. An experienced radio and television broadcaster, Rickard has presented holiday programme On the Air with Mark Williams since 2022, as well as filling in on Music 101. Award-winning music journalist and host of The Sampler Tony Stamp joins Rickard as Music 101 Producer. Listen to Music 101 with Kara Rickard every Saturday from 1-5pm on RNZ National.
New Zealand Fashion Week
25 - 30 August
New Zealand Fashion Week makes its return this year in August at Auckland’s Shed 10. showcasing Aotearoa’s most exciting established and upcoming creative talent to local and international audiences. RNZ will have coverage during the week across radio, RNZ social media and on rnz.co.nz/life.
Pacific Music Awards
Thursday 21 August
The Pacific Music Awards turn 21 this year, and RNZ is on board as category sponsor for the RNZ Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist – finalists for this award are Aaradhna, Jordyn with a Why and Sam V. Pacific music is featured across RNZ platforms and music fans can watch the livestream on the night and enjoy updates from the awards on rnz.co.nz as well as on RNZ and TAHI social media channels.
RNZ Concert
Auckland Philharmonia: Spanish Rhythms | Live-to-air
South Korean guitarist, composer, and DJ, JIJI Guitar, makes her New Zealand debut with the Auckland Philharmonia, conducted by Pablo González. The programme features Rodrigo's evergreen Concierto de Aranjuez, much loved for its ravishing slow movement. along with works by Turina (Danzas fantásticas) Falla's La vida breve excerpts and The Three-Cornered Hat - a ballet of village life, with castanets blazing. Broadcast live from the Auckland Town Hall. Live on RNZ Concert, Thursday 31 July, 7.30pm.
NZ Chamber Music Contest Final (60th Anniversary)
Celebrating 60 years of New Zealand's premier chamber music competition as eight outstanding secondary school ensembles compete in the grand final. The event is MCed by RNZ Concert presenter Clarissa Dunn, and includes the Nina Rota Trio, 4tissimo, Mérimée Quartet, The Betwieners, Los Piazzolanos, Vzpomĭnka, Les Mousquetaires, and Fellas with Cellas, showcasing diverse repertoire across various chamber music styles. Catch up with the results during RNZ Concert Mornings on Monday 4 August, and listen out for the performances in Music Alive in coming weeks.
The Big Sing Finale 2025
Finale: Thursday 28 August
Finale Gala: Saturday 30 August
The Big Sing Finale showcases the top 24 secondary school choirs selected from over 200 choirs who have competed at the regional festivals earlier in the year. A livestream of the final will be available on rnz.co.nz with coverage across RNZ social media channels. There will also be live interviews and more on RNZ Concert.
New releases
re_covering: Dana Johannsen: The System that Broke Olivia Podmore | Podcast
Wednesday 30 July
Media chaplain and broadcaster Reverend Frank Ritchie sits down with top New Zealand journalists to unpack that one story that most impacted them, personally and professionally. In this episode he sits down with RNZ sports journalist Dana Johannsen who discusses her reporting on the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore, which would go on to expose the dark underbelly of high-performance sport in New Zealand. Available now on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms from Wednesday 30 July. Produced by Media Chaplaincy New Zealand and not-for-profit production house Love It Media. Hosted by RNZ.
Thrift S5 | Podcast
Out now
Society & Culture
Thrift is back and celebrating season five with a thrifty road trip. Host Katy Gosset travels around the South Island, staying with friends and meeting some seasoned travellers who've gone a long way on a shoestring. She looks at how to prioritise your money, not outstay your welcome and why you should always offer to do the dishes. She also meets students in Dunedin, learning how to set up a student flat on the cheap and visits lads who’ve built an award winning vege garden. Katy also explores what thrifty tips we can learn from our older community members, and how does being sociable make your money go further? She takes a peek in an 80-year-old's freezer and looks through his diary - spoiler alert: he's got a better social life than Katy! Available now on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and podcast apps and on RNZ National on Tuesdays at 3:30pm.
Hi Viz Manaaki: Maori Wardens | Podcast
Out now
Te Ao Māori, History
Hi Viz Manaaki Maori Wardens is a new podcast where a Māori and a migrant explore the heart, history and future of Māori Wardens – Aotearoa’s hi-vis kaitiaki of aroha, manaaki, and mana motuhake. Available now on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on podcast platforms. It will also be broadcast on RNZ National on Sundays at 7am from Sunday 31 August, with new episodes every week. Written and produced by Murdoch Ngahau and Dr Amber Hammill for RNZ.
Kelly Tarlton’s Final Treasure Hunt - Bonus episode | Podcast
Out now
NZ History
In a new bonus episode critical information is found prompting a one man mission to see if it will lead to completing the treasure hunt. Available now on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms. Produced by Motuihe Group for RNZ.
ENDS
