Afternoons for Monday 22 September 2025

1:15 Liam Lawson drives really fast

Kiwi driver Liam Lawson secured his biggest win ever over the weekend, coming fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It's the best finish for a Kiwi in Formula 1 since Chris Amon also came fifth at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1976.

The success comes after a pretty challenging year for Lawson. He signed with Red Bull in January, only to be dropped two months later. So, is this the great redemption story we've been waiting for? 

Jesse Mulligan talks to Sports Reporter Barry Guy.

1.25 Beauty industry award winner keen to inspire Pacifica women 

In 2019 Auckland mother of three Zandalee Matene was facing unemployment.

Fast forward six years, and Zandalee has her own business and has just made history by becoming the first first Pacific recipient of a special award in the beauty industry 

She won the TAIEA award at the recent 2025 NZ Lash Industry Awards, given to an individual who uplifts others and leads with integrity and pride.

Zandalee Matene joins Jesse Mulligan,

1.35 What's the point in Museums?

A couple of weeks ago Auckland Museum proposed axing 30 jobs, with chief executive David Reeves calling it "regrettably a necessary step towards securing the financial recovery of the museum". It came after a 10 million dollar price tag was put on the cost of removing asbestos dust detected earlier this year.

With this in mind Jesse asks a bigger question. What is the role and value of museums in modern society?

QWB Lab measures the value of wellbeing that a museum, gallery, heritage site, or Library generates. Co-founder Sabine Doolin joins us.

1:45 One long song: Papa Was A Rolling Stone

This might be the longest long song yet. Released in 1972 The Temptations 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' clocks in at 11 minutes and 46 seconds. 

2:10 Television Critic: The Paper, The Morning Show S4, & Platonic S2

Our TV critic Dom Corry reviews a brand new spin-off of 'The Office'. 'The Paper' The Paper is an American mockumentary sitcom series created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman. In Toledo, Ohio, a same documentary crew focuses its efforts on the Toledo Truth Teller, a historic but declining Midwestern newspaper trying to resurrect itself with volunteer reporters.

He also breaks down the new series of Apple TVs 'The Morning Show' & 'Platonic'.

2:20 Jesse's Cold Call: The NZ Medieval Combat Team

Jesse Mulligan calls NZs Medieval Combat Team A.K.A The Steel Blacks. 

2.30 Expert Feature: Lonely Planet's Oceania Editor Jessica Lockhart

Every monday we give you the chance to put your questions to an expert in their field. Today we are joined by Jessica Lockhart.

Jessica is the Lonely Planet Travel guides Destination Editor for Oceania. That is Australia, NZ, and the Pacific Islands. She's well placed to answer your questions about those destinations, as well as more general travel questions. Be it - how do I book the cheapest flights? Which part of Vanuatu should I stay on? Or what's the best waterfall to visit here in NZ?

3:10 Feature interview: The dirtiest race ever run

Of the five top finishers, US runner Calvin Smith was the only one who never tested positive for any banned substance. Canadian Ben Johnson tested positive for steroids and was stripped of Gold. American Carl Lewis was elevated to first place and British sprinter Linford Christie got silver despite both testing positive for stimulants. Calvin Smith was then awarded the Bronze. That race became  a test of character Calvin Smith has carried throughout his life.

The man who should have won gold, reflects on what sport, integrity, and resilience mean in the face of unfairness. Calvin Smith spoke to Jesse.

3:35 Here Now

More than a quarter of a million people have been displaced from Gaza City in the last month, according to figures from the UN, with tens of thousands more forced to flee makeshift homes and shelters daily in the face of a new Israeli offensive. Meanwhile, NZ lowered it's cap on crude oil from Russia. So this week on the Here Now podcast — Sanctions against Israel or Russia - will they work? What do Nzer's think?

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman and producer ... preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.