Afternoons for Wednesday 9 July 2025

 

1:15 The Bay of Plenty man solving two problems - pests and food bank demand

It's well known that New Zealand has a pest problem, and a problem with growing demands for food banks.

So, Bay of Plenty's Jasper Osborne decided to do something that he thought could solve both issues. 

1:25 Want to stop vaping but don't know how? We've got you. 

Vaping is often marketed as a tool to ween yourself off smoking - but of course, nicotine vapes are also addictive, so what happens when you want to call it quits altogether? 

A recent study has surveyed over 1000 Kiwis to better understand why and how people quit vaping. 

The findings reveal some interesting trends and some great practical tips for quitting. The co-author of the study, Joya Kemper, spoke to Jesse.

Click here for the survey

1:35 Designing Piha's Eye-Catching Bunker House

The bunker house in West Auckland's Piha certainly stands out.

Designed by Chris Tate, it looks like a very modern bunker, hence the name. 

Now it's up for an award at the World Architecture Festival. 

Chris chatted to Jesse about the challenges making his vision into a reality.

1:45 Heading Off: All the Places!

For 12 year Chris Eden has motorbiked solo around the world. Then three years ago, just as he was preparing to ride up through the length of Africa disaster struck.

Now - inspired by last week’s heading off - he's finally planning to make it back to the only major continent he's yet to touch.

2.12 Music Critic: New Music from Ladi 6 and Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Music critic Sarah Thomson gives her review of Ladi 6's Under It and Boy with the Characteristics of Wolves from Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

2:20 Easy Eats: Salt and Pepper Tofu

Tofu is heralded as an excellent protein option, but it can be intimidating to cook with, and in the wrong hands positively tasteless.
Fortunately, Kelly Gibney's got a dish that is great for tofu enthusiasts and for those who still need to be converted. 

Click here for the recipe

2:30 Bookmarks with Kate Evans

Kate is an award-winning journalist and nature writer, her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Observer and National Geographic and she's hosted a science podcast 'Voice of Tangaroa' here on RNZ. 

You may also know her as the author of  'Feijoa: A story of plants, people, obsession and belonging' which became a Number 1 bestseller in NZ last year

She shares her top tunes, reads and listens with Jesse.

3:10 What Michael Douglas' films say about the crisis of masculinity

Actor Michael Douglas is pressing pause on his acting career, for now. 

While he isn't officially calling it retirement, he has said he worked pretty hard for 60 years.

And that workload is something culture critic and author Jessa Crispin has been looking into.

She examined some of Michael Douglas' biggest hits and says that blockbusters like Wall Street and Basic Instinct embody the anger and paranoia of men rocked by shifting gender roles. 

Her latest book is called What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World: Sea pods in Tauranga

Last year, 100 flower-shaped rocky structures were installed along the shoreline of Tauranga's waterfront.  
These artificial rockpools, called 'sea pods', are designed to provide habitat for marine life, and boost the biodiversity of the city's harbour. 
Our Changing World's Justine Murray visits the living sea wall to see what creatures have moved in. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.