Afternoons for Thursday 16 October 2025

1:15 Honouring former Prime Minister Jim Bolger

Some sad news today that former Prime Minister Jim Bolger has died. 
He led the country throughout much of the 1990s, through a time of great economic change, he oversaw the first of many Treaty of Waitangi settlements and led New Zealand's first MMP Government.
Many political leaders have today been sharing their memories of him, Prime Minister Christoper Luxon says Bolger was "a towering figure in New Zealand's political life", while Ruth Richardson, who was of course Finance Minister during those tumultuous years, said her tribute to him is "when he faced the fire, he didn't flinch."But of course, he was more than a political leader, Jim Bolger was a husband to Joan, the father to nine children and grandfather to 18 grandchildren. 

Jesse had the chance to have a lovely long conversation with Mr Bolger when he joined me on our Bookmarks segment in 2021.

1.18 GrabOne no more! So what happens to your vouchers?

GrabOne - the website which offered discounted deals on experiences, products, and travel has gone into liquidation.

It was once one of New Zealand’s largest daily deals websites and used to be high value - it was sold by NZME to Global Marketplace New Zealand in 20-21 for $17.5 million.

The company announced this morning that there would be no refunds for customers with unredeemed vouchers.

RNZ's Money Correspondent Susan Edmunds chats to Jesse about consumer rights. 

1:25 Why some universities are giving up on AI detection software

Several of our universities have given up running student essays through AI detection software.

Because for the most part, they say it didn't really work.

But at a time when essays and written projects can be generated in seconds, how to grade work is a serious question. 

It's one that Auckland Uni Teaching Fellow Patrick Dodd has been grappling with for the last couple of years, now he believes he's got a solution.

1:35 Tackling the growing problem of wilding pines

The 2025 Wilding Pines conference is currently taking place in Twizel

The aim of the conference is to share knowledge, boost morale and hopefully attract new funding to the problem

Funding which - according to MPI returns $34 of economic value for every dollar spent.

Dr Thomas Carlin is part of the Bioeconomy Science Institutes "Viva La Resistance" project.

1:45 Great album: Take it to the Bridge - Don McGlashan and Anita Clark

It's Don's first live album and is from the nationwide tour he did with Anita in 2023.

The album is made up of thirteen tracks which are taken from gigs at four venues across five nights, and include songs from McGlashan time with Blam Blam Blam, The Muttonbirds, and The Front Lawn. 
 

2:10 Relationships: Who does what chores in your home?

Friendships, workmates, love, whatever the status relationships are tricky. 

Navigating the highs and the lows can be challenging especially when it involves having tricky conversations. 

That's why we've got a new segment every fortnight that focuses on relationships.
 To help us navigate these difficult discussions I'm joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology.

Today we're focusing on chore allocation, office friendships and friend politics.

2:30 What's the most controversial call in NZ Sporting History?

Time for NZ Sporting History, and today we're looking at the history of controversial calls in Kiwi sport. 

Referees have a thankless job and I suppose no one gets it right 100 percent of the time, but sometimes you can't help but throw your hands up and scream 'Oh come on ref!' 

So to look back at some of these high-wire moments Jesse is joined by award-winning sports journalist Dylan Cleaver. 

3:15 Solving the World's Problems with Simon Wilson

With the local elections done and dusted, mayors will now be turning their attention to how to run their councils and get things done in their patch.

Today in solving the world's problems, NZME Senior Writer Simon Wilson joins Jesse with an example of how one council seems to be highly functional through political, but crucially not partisan, politics. 

3:20 History with Dr Grant Morris  

Ancestry.com is the world's biggest genealogy website, providing users with access to historical records and DNA testing. 
It is known for having a vast collection of records and family trees and once a year it does a big update calling it DNA day. 

Our historian Dr Grant Morris is here to explain what that is and whether it matters. 

3:35 Padel: What is it and why is everyone raving about it?

It's one of the fastest-growing sports in the world but you may not have ever heard of it.

Padel is growing in popularity here in NZ and is quickly becoming not only a sport to get you fit, but to help you meet people.

Adam McDonald is the Pacific Padel [PRON: Paddle] Albany club and community manager and is with Jesse now.

3:45 The pre-Panel 

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.