Afternoons for Friday 8 August 2025

1.10 Why ACC needs to offer more support for head injuries

Awareness of the impacts of concussion has grown significantly in recent years but advocates say many sufferers still struggle to get the right support from ACC following a diagnosis.

Brain injury support group Headway has been campaigning for years for changes to the way ACC manages people with Traumatic Brain Injuries 

CEO Stacey Mowbray joins Jesse.

1:20 Bucking the trend: The industry that is desperate for more staff

Yesterday on the show we were joined by recruitment adviser Ingrid Osbourne.

She shared tips for making yourself stand out from the crowd in a tough job market.

But lots of you got in touch with a sure way to get hired - be a mechanic.

One of those people - Ruben Smith - is a mechanic of 32 years.

1:35 Northland's first milk bank for babies

 Just over two weeks ago, the He Piropiro Waiū Human Milk Bank opened in Northland.

It is the first for the region and will provide valuable donated breast milk for sick babies particularly those born prematurely.

Previously these babies would mainly have received infant formula but when their mother's milk isn't available, experts say donated breast milk is the next best thing.

Sue Bree is the director of midwifery for Northland.

1:40 It's getting hot in the Masterchef Australia kitchen for Kiwi Ben MacDonald

For all those Masterchef Australia fans out there, we have a treat for you. We've got this season's Kiwi contestant Ben MacDonald in the Auckland studio  

Now just a warning, if you haven't seen last night's episode and you're worried about spoilers please don't click on the link to listen!

Ben has been competing in this year's MasterChef Australia: Back to Win season, eleven years after first appearing on the show in 2014 where he placed sixth.

1:45 Freaky Friday
It's your home of the unexplained. The moment Jesse hands over the mic to you, and lets you tell your freaky stories.

If you've got a story to tell - we're talking haunting, serendipity, the odd UFO - then please get in touch.

It's 2101 on the text or afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Today Dave from Whangarei shares his creepy tale. 

2:10 Film Review: Dominic Corry shares his NZIFF picks.

Dominic Corry joins Jesse with his latest picks.

Courtesy of the New Zealand International Film Festival, The Weed Eaters; Toitū: Visual Sovereignty and Eddington.

Weapons - opening in cinemas today. 

2:20 NZ Live; Awning Live in Studio!

Time for NZ Live. Your weekly showcase of Aotearoa's finest musicians.

We're talking the whole range, from legends like Dave Dobbyn, to fan favourites like WOMB, and brand new artists like Borderline.

Today's guests Awning fall into the latter category.

Their self-titled debut album was released just a few weeks ago, they came to the RNZ studio to perform live.

3:08 Food with chef Gareth Stewart

There's no denying it is hard to be in hospitality right now; the news is filled with long standing establishments closing their doors as people struggle to find the money to dine out. 

Heart of the city is keen to get people back into restaurants, August is Restaurant Month and this year's theme is don't try this at home. 

To tell us more and share a recipe is chef Gareth Stewart from InterContinental's Advieh restaurant. Here's his recipe

3:16 Music 101: Kara Rickard

Kara Rickard host of Music 101 share's 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 Making sense of the new Road User Charges

The biggest change in fifty years to how our roading network is funded was announced this week. 
Petrol tax is out and instead drivers will pay based on how much they travel. 

This change affects more than 3 million of us, so we had questions.  
The AA's Policy Director Martin Glynn helps explain what this announcement means. 

3:35 Critter of the Week: Western Tiger Moth

It's just after three thirty which means it's time to talk critter of the week, the segment where we focus on an endangered creature. 

Today the spotlight is on the Western Tiger Moth. 

As the name suggests, the moth has black and orange markings, well the males do, the females look completely different. 

 Forest and Bird's Chief Executive Nicola Toki Here explains what makes both the male and female so special.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.