Afternoons for Tuesday 28 April 2020

1:00 Live coverage of the Ministry of Health's latest Covid Update

An update from the Government on Covid 19 by Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health.

1:20 Farmers optimistic under Level 3

Farmers are struggling with drought in parts of Northland that has brought an earlier end to the season for many.

But things are looking up under level 3 and there is hope for a good winter.

We speak to Extension 350 manager and farmer Luke Beehre.

1:30 Prime Minster's Post Cabinet Press Conference

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the nation in her weekly post Cabinet press conference.

1:50 Restaurants getting back to business

Many small businesses are getting back into the swing of things today, including restaurants and cafes.

But there are strict social distancing rules, and the hospitality industry is grappling with how to supply customers in a safe way.

We speak to Yael Shochat of Ima Cuisine in Auckland.

2:10 Catherine Robertson talks books!

Catherine shares her book-related lockdown diary and reviews Eamonn Marra’s debut novel ‘2000ft Above Worry Level’; ‘Ness’ by Robert Macfarlane, illustrated by Stanley Donwood; Hilary Mantel’s ‘The Mirror and the Light’  and she also binge-read her collection of Diana Wynne Jones YA books. 

2:20 Music Feature: New Zealand's history of music television

New Zealand has a long tradition of music television, virtually stretching back to the beginning of television in this country.

Auckland viewers were the first to get hip and happening with the show ‘In The Groove’ in 1962 and successive generations thrilled to C’mon, Radio with Pictures, Ready to Roll, Squeeze, Space and many more.

Now, with New Zealand music staying at home during the lockdown, the theme for this year’s music month is ‘buy local’ and there’s talk of bringing back local music television.

Jesse Mulligan talks to two stars from what now looks like the heyday of New Zealand music TV in the 90s: Francesca Rudkin and Hugh Sundae. 

3:10 Michael Schur on comedy and humour in the Covid era

If watching beloved sitcoms like The Office, Parks and Recreation or The Good Place has helped you pass the time in level 4 lock down, you can thank TV creator, writer and director Michael Schur. His sitcoms celebrate our complicated humanity with a positive spin. We'll talk to Michael Schur about philosophy as comedy and humor in the era of Covid-19. 

3:30 Spoken Feature: New Flags Flying - Part 3

Fifty years ago, when self-government was sweeping across the Pacific, Ian Johnstone watched  the tussles between tiny islands and great powers when leaders from all over the ocean gathered in Noumea to get the best deal they could from their colonial masters.  

3:45 The Panel with Lizzie Marvelly and Liam Hehir