Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan

1:17 Pharmac consider changing MS patients 'walk of shame' test

Four thousand New Zealanders currently live with multiple sclerosis, or MS, and Pharmac has put forward a proposal to keep patients on their funded MS drugs for longer.

Currently, people with MS are tested annually and one of the harshest parts of the assessment is known as 'The Walk of Shame' - they're put in front of a neurologist and if they are capable of walking 500 metres unaided or without stopping - they're at risk of having their drug treatment halted. 

MS New Zealand President, Neil Woodhams, tells Jesse how significant these changes would be. 

1:27 Waikato scientist awarded for research using Māori fishing method

Last night, the Kudos Science Trust held its annual awards, which celebrates the contribution of the Waikato region to science, research, and innovation.

Dr Ian Kusabs took out the University of Waikato Vision Mātauranga Science Award for his work using a traditional Māori fishing method, tau kōura. 

1:35 250 Ways to Start an Essay about Captain Cook

Poet and scholar Alice Te Punga Somerville joins us to talk about her new book: 250 Ways to Start an Essay about Captain Cook.

She tells Jesse why it's time for us to stop "hoarding" stories about Cook.

1:50 The Wild Twins - Naked and Afraid of Sharks 

Back in August this year you may have seen Amber and Serena Shine aka The Wild Twins on a TV show called Naked & Afraid on the Discovery Channel. The adventurous twins from Waiuku were already well known for their escapades when they were approached by the Discovery channel and offered a spot.

Well now they're back with a new survival show,  called Naked and Afraid of Sharks which airs on Discovery this Sunday night at 8.30pm.

2:10 Graeme Tuckett's movie picks

Critic Graeme Tuckett reviews American Utopia which is Spike Lee's film of David Byrne's stage show of the same name, filmed in New York last year. His second choice is Let Him Go which is a Western thriller, set in the 1960's in Montana and North Dakota, starring Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as grandparents fighting to get their grandson back from a vicious criminal family.

2:20 NZ Live: Modern Maori Quartet

Three years since they appeared on Afternoons - The Modern Maori Quartet are back to entertain us with their stories, their music and to talk about their upcoming Garage Party - on at the Winter Garden inside The Civic in Auckland from 2-20 December.

3:08  Julie Biuso's Sizzled Peaches & Burrata 

Sweet juicy peaches are on their way and Julie Biuso from Shared Kitchen has the perfect dish to showcase them! Sizzled Peaches with Burrata is from her latest book Shared Kitchen. 

3:16 Music 101: Charlotte Ryan

Charlotte Ryan, host of Music 101 here on RNZ each Saturday afternoon from midday talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on her show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - she'll pick us a track to play.

3:25 Lynda Hallinan - Monarch Butterflies in the garden

Gardening guru Lynda Hallinan talks to Jesse about the importance of Monarch butterflies in the garden.

3:35 Critter of the Week Chaffey Forget-me-not

Forget-me-nots have a strong symbolism, especially for such a small plant says Doc's Nicola Toki. Whether honouring war veterans, or as a simple reminder to think about loved ones Myosotis chaffeyorum is our pick of the bunch for this week’s Critter of the Week.

3:45 The Panel with Penny Ashton and Michael Moynihan