Afternoons for Thursday 24 April 2025

1:10 The French town with a WWII Kiwi story

In northern France, the small town of Le Quesnoy holds an important piece of New Zealand history.

Just days before the end of the First World War, New Zealand soldiers scaled the town's ancient walls and liberated it after four years of German occupation. Not a single civilian was killed, but 135 New Zealanders lost their lives

More than a century later the New Zealand Liberation Museum - Te Arawhata opened in 2023 to bring this incredible story to life, but unfortunately visitor numbers have been lower than expected

The museum is now exploring new business opportunities to encourage more New Zealanders to make the trip to Le Quesnoy, with hopes it will become a rite of passage for Kiwis looking to connect with our history in Europe much like Gallipoli.

Jesse talked to military historian and President of the New Zealand Military Historical Society Herb Farrant before he left to Europe to attend remembrance ceremonies Belgium and France.

1:25 The choirmaster who helped bring the music of Tinā alive

Have you seen the film Tinā yet...?

It was released 8 weeks ago, Has sold over 320,000 tickets. And taken in $5million in the process...

That makes it one of the most successful New Zealandy films ever... It's at number 6 on the list, just behind Whale Rider...

If you haven't seen it yet... It features a teacher who starts a choir... And some amazing choral music...

1:30 New Zealand's latest robo-surgeon 

Hamilton's Braemar hospital in the Waikato is about to take delivery of the region's first surgical robot.

It will allow for surgeons to take on more precision work and reduce the invasiveness of existing procedures.

Fiona Michel is the hospital's CEO and talks to Jesse about the robot surgeons and how they help make hospitals safer for humans.

1:45 Great album: Vine Street Stories live with Greg Johnson

In place of our great album today we've got something a bit different. 

Auckland born, California based Singer Greg Johnson is back in the country for a special tour.

It's celebrating 30 years since the release of his classic album "Vine Street Stories"

That's the album that brought us tracks like "Don't Wait Another Day", "Let The Sun Beat Down" & "You stay out of your life"

2:10 Podcast Critic: a Rogan rebuttal

Our podcast reviewer for this week is Elliott Childs and he has two recommendations for your long weekend listening. Firstly, The Know Rogan Experience which is a fact check and dissection podcast for the popular Joe Rogan Experience. The secondly, he reviews Skeptics with a K, the podcast of the Merseyside Skeptic Society. 

2:30 NZ Sporting History classic: Jaynie Parkhouse

As we are about to launch into long weekend, we thought we'd replay one of our classic NZ Sporting History interviews. 
Fifty one years ago - in 1974 - Christchurch hosted the Commonwealth games. They were a huge sporting event that united Aotearoa, and simultaneously became the countries first colour TV broadcasts.

We finished an impressive 4th place in the medal table with a haul of 35, including nine Golds. One of which came courtesy of 17 year old Jaynie Parkhouse.

On the final lap Jaynie came from fourth place to overtake all three of the Australian favourites, winning by just four hundredths of a second.

Jaynie - known as Hudgell since her 1975 marriage was our guest for NZ Sporting History on March 7, 2024.

3:15 Your Money with Mary Holm 

Today Mary accesses the wisdom of the crowd! Recently she asked Afternoons listeners to write in with the best financial decision they had ever made. We go so many responses that Mary has decided to sift through them and see what important and useful information she can find and what it tells us bout managing money.   

3:35 BBC Witness History

In 1976, Jenette Kahn began one of the biggest roles in comic books - publisher of DC Comics, home to Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. She was only 28 and the first female boss.

3:45 The pre-Panel 

Wallace Chapman and producer Olivia Wilson preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.