Afternoons for Tuesday 2 September 2025

 

1:10 How excited should we be about the Amazon announcement?

Amazon has officially opened its new Auckland data centres today - claiming the move will add 10.8 billion dollars to the economy and mean a thousand full time jobs.

Those are some massive numbers, so we wanted to find out more.

To understand how significant this deal is Futurist and CEO of Gorilla Technology Paul Spain chats to Jesse.

1:20 The new digital mental health tool - and how it's already working

Warning: This conversation covers the issue of suicide.

Yesterday we spoke to Laura Reiley, a writer at Cornell University whose only child died by suicide after suffering from anxiety and depression. 

Laura shared her daughter Sophie's story in an essay for The New York Times because while she had been seeing a human therapist, Sophie had also turned to a therapy chatbot for help between sessions and it was the chatbot that she confided in when she chose to end her life.

After that interview, we received an email telling us about ANTSA - a digital tool for mental health professionals that supports clients between sessions.

Clinical Psychologist Sally-Anne McCormack is behind this project.

Mental health

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
• What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
• Healthline: 0800 611 116.
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.
• Aoake te Rā – bereaved by suicide service. https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/ 0800 000 053

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111

1:35 Why scientists are pumped about new research into blood pressure

At least one in five of us have high blood pressure but most of us don't know we have it. 

Untreated, it can lead to serious problems like stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. 

Which makes a new discovery by researchers at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland all the more exciting. 

Professor Julian Paton was involved in the research and spoke to Jesse.

1:45 Book Critic: A deep dive into 'working homelessness'.

Working homeless is a phrase that applies to people who are employed but don't have anywhere to live, generally it is a consequence of low wages or other financial instability. 

It's a topic author Brian Goldstone has investigated for his book "There is no place for us, working and homeless in America"

Here to tell us all about it is our book critic Anna Rankin who is joining Jesse from New York as she embarks on her Fullbright scholarship.

2:10 Relationships: Practical advice for commonplace pickles

All these conversations about people using AI chat bots as therapists got us thinking.

We all know relationships are complicated, whether it's matters of the heart, workplace problems, or with friendships. And sometimes, it really helps to get an outside perspective.

Today we're trying something new, we've invited a Clinical Psychologist on to discuss some common challenges we all face and how we can navigate them

If you have any issues you'd like addressed email me at afternoons@rnz.co.nz 

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster: Manhunt and marches

A week on from the shooting of two police officers in Australia's northeast town of Porepunkah, it appears investigators are changing their approach to finding the man believed to be responsible.

Brad Foster fills Jesse in on the latest with that case, plus reflects on the Neo-Nazi marches, and discusses Australia's newest regional airline. 

2:30 Music feature: Celebrating Kate Bush

Reviewing Kate Bush's fifth studio album, a critic for Sounds Magazine wrote "If I were allowed to swear, I'd say that 'Hounds of Love' is f%$+ing brilliant." 

That was September 1985, 40 years on 'Hounds of Love' has endured as Bush's most acclaimed and highest-selling album. 

Music journalist Simon Sweetman tells Jesse why it is so brilliant.

3:10 Feature interview: How to navigate a world of public shaming

A Polish millionaire snatches a hat as a tennis star hands it to a child at the US Open. Two executives are caught having an affair at a Coldplay concert. Public shaming is everywhere.  A.J. Daulerio knows all about exposing humiliating secrets and having some of his own secrets put out into the world. He was the editor of the blog Gawker during its most notorious years.  Daulerio is now living a very different story, one marked by sobriety, reflection, and second chances. He helps others face shame and embarrassment with honesty and perspective through his newsletter and podcast The Small Bow.  

3:30 Thrift: A road trip thrifty style!

It's time now for Thrift and this week the team is looking at road trips and more specifically how you can go on holiday without breaking the bank. 

Katy Gosset heads off on her own thrifty roadie, staying with friends and meeting seasoned travellers who've gone a long way on a shoestring.      

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.