Afternoons for Thursday 14 August 2025

1:15 UFC: A multi-billion dollar sport

Something a bit different to kick things off today - we're going to talk about the UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship. 

UFC is the largest Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the world, and in a relatively short time, it's become a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise. 

This week they added another feather to their cap, signing a multi-billion dollar deal with Paramount for exclusive broadcasting rights in the US. 

This news may cause some to wonder why MMA - which is undoubtedly among the most violent sports - continues to surge in popularity? 

Many fighters have suffered permanent brain damage and there have been at least seven recorded fatalities. 

Jesse spoke to Mike Angove, New Zealand's leading combat sports commentator and former world kickboxing champion. 

1:25 So why do Cambodians make such great pies?

The best pies in New Zealand were crowned at 2025 Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards last week and bakers with Cambodian heritage won seven out of the eleven categories.   

So why do Cambodians make such great pies?

To find out, Jesse spoke to the legendary pie maker Patrick Lam from Patrick's Pies Gold Star Bakery in Tauranga

Patrick has won the prestigious Supreme Pie Award an incredible 8 times over the years.

1:35 Making travel more sustainable, one haircare tablet at a time

Jesse spoke with University of Canterbury student Emmalee Abbott-Joe about addressing the waste generated by the haircare industry, drawing inspiration from the science behind laundry sheets.

1:45 Great album - L.A.B iii

This is the New Zealand band's third album and arguably the one that really saw the band make a mark on the music scene ... thanks to the hit single "In the Air" reaching number one in the charts in 2020.

Worth noting that this was the first time an independently released single reached number one in Aotearoa since the Flight of the Conchords' "Feel Inside (And Stuff Like That)" in 2012.

2:10 Group Chat: Should Jeff Bezos get to choose the next Bond girl?

This is when we talk about some of the topics filling up your group chats and first up for discussion is James Bond and Jeff Bezos.

Joining Jesse is Culture 101's Perlina Lau and Afternoon's Senior Producer Olivia Wilson. 

2:30 A-Z of Aotearoa: F is for Fish and Chips

Jesse explored the nations favourite takeaway. He's joined by critic and food historian David Burton, YouTube Fish & Chip shop reviewer Alby Wilson & 4th generation shop owner Yoti Ioannua from Theo's in Christchurch. 

3.15 Your Money with Mary Holm: How much emergency money is enough? Where should it live?

Mary Holm is here which means it's time to talk money matters and today we're going to talk about emergency money. 

According to sorted.org, almost half the population doesn't have a rainy day savings fund, and according to Mary, that's an issue.

She tells Jesse how much money is enough and where you should keep it. 

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness: Brazil bank heist

20 years ago this month, a gang of robbers tunnelled their way into a Brazilian bank vault in a heist straight out of the movies. 

Working in shifts they dug an 80 metre tunnel from the house, under the neighbouring street and into the vault before escaping with the equivalent of $70 million dollars.

3:45 The pre-Panel 

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.