Afternoons for Monday 18 August 2025

 

1:15 Some of New Zealand's Asian communities are struggling - what can be done to help?

More than half of Asian New Zealanders are at risk of depression, with young adults, women, Koreans, and Indians disproportionately affected. 

That's according to a survey by Asian Family Services.

It looked into the state of mental health support for New Zealand's Asian communities .. and the results are pretty grim.

We wanted to know why ... and what can be done to help.  

Jesse talks to registered psychologist Sehar Moughal - who predominantly supports South Asian families - about the issue. 

1.25 A conservation success story!

We're no strangers to endangered animals on this show, but today we're pleased to share a conservation success story. 

Tawaki, or Fiordland Crested Penguins are the third rarest of the world's 18 penguin species, and thanks to efforts of many, the number of these penguins breeding in Tawaki has nearly tripled from 35 to nearly 100 pairs. 

1.35 Blending fashion with film: "Fashion Film Festival'

There's a lot happening for New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria this year, including - of all things - a mini film festival! 

Ensemble magazine is behind the 'Fashion Film Festival', which will run next week at Auckland's Academy Cinemas. 

To tell us the ins and outs Rebecca Wadey, co-founder of Ensemble, joins Jesse.

1:45 One Long Song: Don McLean's American Pie

Time now for One Long Song ... our chance to celebrate songs over seven minutes long. 
Today's song was released in 1971 .. and topped the charts the world over.
In fact, for fifty years, it held the record for being the longest song to reach number one .. that was until Taylor Swift's All too Well" came on the charts in 2021.

Coming in at 8 minutes and 30 seconds ... it is Don McLean's American Pie. 

2:10 Television Critic: Alien is back - this time as a tv show

Fans of the 1979 film Alien and the show Fargo are in for a treat. 

Fargo writer and creator Noah Hawley has turned his attention to creating the first television series in the Alien franchise. 

Our TV critic Dominic Corry reviews it for us as well as some other new content.

Alien: Earth on Disney+

The Real Housewives of London on Hayu

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 3) TVNZ+

2:20 Jesse's Cold Call: Tautoko FM

As regular listeners will know, we like a cold call here on Afternoons, we've been through all the isite centres around Aotearoa, so now we're turning our attention to iwi radio stations. 

This is our chance to add a little suspense to the day .. will they answer .. will they be allowed to chat? But also, to talk to the people who help turn our towns and cities into communities.

Today Jesse chances his luck at Northland's Tautoko FM.

2.30 Expert Feature: Let's talk poetry!

Friday is international poetry day, and we are delighted, thrilled, positively effervescent to announce that - after taking a hiatus last year - our poetry competition will return!

Once more judging your entries, Jesse will be joined by poet, writer and editor of the journal "Poetry Aotearoa" Dr Tracey Slaughter.

To give you a head start, for the next 30 minutes she joins us for an expert feature on poetry.

3:10 Feature interview: "Genetics are not destiny"

Everyone wants to live a long life, but no one wants to get old. Just over 15 years ago, cardiologist Dr Eric Topol went looking for genetic reasons why some people are able age into their 80's without the usual chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular issues.

Dr Topol the founder and director of the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego says genetics are not destiny and it's never too late to start taking steps to delay or even prevent disease.  

3:35 Here Now: Baking Bread with Meinolf Kraeling

We've got something for carb lovers now, this week's Here Now is focused on breaking bread, putting bakers in the spotlight. 

Today's edition sees master baker Meinolf Kraeling in conversation with Kadambari Raghukumar, about his deeply ingrained German love for bread.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.