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A-Z of Aotearoa: E is for Electric Bikes

31 Jul 2025

Today we continue our way through the A-Z of Aotearoa with the letter E.  Audio

Friday 1 August 2025

On today’s show

 

1:15 Best in show: Your front row seat to the FQ Fashion Awards

The best of New Zealand fashion was celebrated last night at a glamorous black-tie affair, as the FQ Fashion Awards returned following a successful debut in 2024

Claudia Li was named Designer of the Year, while Kate Sylvester was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sarah Murray, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of FQ joins Jesse in the Auckland studio.

Claudia Li

Photo: Laura Snelling

1:25 Packing a punch: 'Kaikohe Blood and Fire'

Director Simon Ogston joins Jesse to talk about his film 'Kaikohe Blood & Fire'.

On the surface it looks like a film about fighting and mixed martial arts but look a little deeper and it's actually about characters, community and personal growth. 

Two of the stars of the film "Kaikohe Blood & Fire" are sat on the edge of a boxing ring and looking at the camera.

Dhcamad Armstrong & David Faulkner Photo: Temepara Hita

1:35 A deep dive into one of Aotearoa's most significant heritage sites

Hidden among the bustle of modern day of Tauranga lies one of Aotearoa's most significant heritage sites, The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga 

The site has borne witness to more than 600 years of our often-turbulent history.

A new book 'The Spirit of a Place' traces this legacy starting with the arrival of the first Polynesian voyaging canoes, the arrival of Pakeha, to the complex interactions that followed.

Author Sarah Ell joins Jesse in studio.

the elms te papa

Photo: the elms te papa

1:45 Freaky Friday

 

2:10 Film Review: Blue Moon, The Life of Chuck and It Was Just an Accident

The New Zealand International Film Festival opened in Auckland last night, and that means busy days and nights for film fans and film critics. 

Like Kate Rodger! She joins Jesse to talk about her top picks this week; Blue Moon, It Was Just an Accident and The Life of Chuck. 

It Was Just An Accident

Photo: supplied

2:20 NZ Live: Greta O'Leary is live in studio

Anticipation has been hotly building for Greta's debut album after a couple of her singles made a big splash last year, both reaching #1 on the Student Radio Network Top 10. 

The record arrived in May, it's called 'River Dark'. 

And now she's going on tour, playing 8 shows around the North Island starting August 16th in Auckland. 

Greta O'Leary's debut album 'River Dark' is out now.

Greta O'Leary's debut album 'River Dark' is out now. Photo: Greta O'Leary

3:08 Food: Sticky Date Cake with Coffee Buttercream

How good would a slice of sticky date cake with coffee buttercream be right now?
Well, it can be yours, all you have to do is make it!

Gretchen Lowe shares the recipe with Jesse.

It's from her new book My Weekend Table. 

Gretchen shares the recipe with Jesse.

Sticky Date Cake with Coffee Buttercream by Gretchen Lowe.

Sticky Date Cake with Coffee Buttercream by Gretchen Lowe. Photo: Supplied

THROW LINE

Here to help with that is Gretchen Lowe .. who also has a new book out called My Weekend Table

https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/food/recipes/sticky-date-cake-with-coffee-buttercream

3:16 Music 101: 

Kara Rickard, host of Music 101, 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 Weekend Stuff: Living mulches

Emma Sage, Editor Sage Journal

Photo: 2023 Heather Liddell, all rights reserved.

3:35 Critter of the Week: Mokopiriākau granulatus - the forest gecko

This week's critter of the week is the moko piriākau, also known as the forest gecko. 
They are renowned for their ability to easily camouflage to their surroundings and their incredible climbing skills. 

Nicola Toki joins Jesse to rate this endangered critter.

Forest Gecko (Mokopirirakau granulatus)

Photo: iNaturalistNZ/invertebratist

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

wallace chapman

Photo: wallace chapman