Afternoons for Wednesday 22 October 2025

 

1:15 How do you prepare for the forecasted wild winds?

If you thought yesterday's wind was bad, with gusts well over 110Km/h in parts of the country, well brace yourselves for tomorrow. 

The MetService says winds could reach up to 150 km an hour, issuing red strong wind warnings for parts of the country, red warnings are the most severe. 

Adding to that, we've seen wildfires popping up in many regions, which could only get worse with high winds. 

So how do you prepare for high winds? And wildfires?

1:18 How Shakti NZ has transformed the lives of thousands of women and children

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Shakti NZ - an organisation that's transformed the lives of thousands of migrant and refugee women and children.

Founded by Farida Sultana it provides a culturally aware space for women and children experiencing domestic violence

Today they are celebrating with an event at parliament, but Farida has taken some time out to come and talk to us.

1:25 Why The Food Factory in Stoke is shutting up shop

The Food Factory in Stoke is an initiative that's helped out dozens of small food businesses over the past five years. 

But now, due to rising costs and less demand, it's shutting up shop.

Pic's Peanut Butter founder Pic Picot started The Food Factory. He chats to Jesse.

1:35 Putting mushrooms in the spotlight for the right reasons

A new photography book has captured the incredible hidden world of New Zealand fungi 

Paula Vigus provided the acclaimed photography for the best-selling book - 'Fungi of Aotearoa: A curious forager's field guide' and she's back with her own book 'A Hidden World - Discovering the Beauty of New Zealand Fungi' 

Paula Vigus joins Jesse. 

1:45 Heading Off to Laos

Today on the show we’re heading off to Southeast Asia — not Vietnam, not Thailand, but the quieter, lesser-known neighbour.

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, home to the Mekong River, French-style baguettes, and some of the most laid-back people you’ll meet. 

Travel writer Jane Daniell has written a four-part series about travelling there on her website My Travel Room.

2.12 Music Critic: Introducing Tane Cotton aka Sivle Talk

It's a perfect day to be listening to some new music. Today, musician and Afternoons music critic Dianne Swan shares music from an up-and-coming songwriter from Ōtepoti —twenty-year-old Tane Cotton, who goes by the band name Sivle Talk.

2:20 Easy Eats: Cumin Lamb Lettuce Cups

It's Wednesday which means time to talk Easy Eat, where we share a recipe that delivers on taste without demanding too much time.

Our regular Easy Eats contributor Kelly Gibney is away so we've got the talented Olivia Galletly also known as The Hungry Cook, joining us.

Recipe is here

2:30 Bookmarks with Thabani Gapara

Time for Bookmarks now where we talk to an interesting New Zealander about their life and their favourite things. 

Today Thabani Gapara shares his pick of podcasts, music, books and more.

Thabani is a Zimbabwean-born jazz musician based in Auckland, and earlier this year he was nominated for Best Jazz Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards for his album 'Dzindza'.

He'll be performing as part of the Titirangi Festival of Music in Auckland over Labour Weekend. 
 

3:10 Feature interview: The power of being with people

Read her substack here

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.