Afternoons for Friday 31 October 2025

1:10 Prince Andrew loses his title: Is the monarchy in trouble?

The royal family has stripped Prince Andrew of his royal titles and ordered him to leave his 30-room residence, after intensifying pressure over his association with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

So what happens now and what does this mean for the future of the monarchy? Royal commentator Juliet Rieden talks to Jesse.

1:15 Why the gene tech bill has some scientists worried

A couple of weeks ago we started a conversation about the gene tech bill that it seems scientists and politicians can't agree on. 

We spoke to Andrew Allan, a Professor at Auckland University's School of Biological Sciences who is also a principal scientist at Plant and Food Research.

After our chat we still had questions, and it turns out, so did many of you,

Some of you got in touch wanting to know more about the risks and how valid concerns about the bill are.

Jack Heinemann is a Professor at Canterbury University's School of Biological Sciences and joins me now.

1:25 Award winning chef Sid Sahrawat on why he's optimistic for the future of hospitality

Sid Sahrawat is an award-winning chef behind Cassia and The French Café in Auckland. 

It's been a big year for Sid. Earlier in the year he hosted a tour to India, and he's already sold out the 2026 tour. 

Throughout October he's been serving a specially designed menu in celebration of Diwali. 

Sid Sahrawat joins Jesse to talk all things food and shares this recipe for mango burfi.

1:35 Kiwi band Tadpole are back on tour

When Auckland band Tadpole dropped their debut album 'The Buddhafinger' in 2000, it went double platinum and spent 46 weeks on our Top 40 Albums Chart. 

25 years later, they are back on stage. Currently they're in the midst of a tour of Aotearoa, with five dates still remaining including tonight in Whangaparāoa. 

Two of the band members Dean Lawton and Chris Yong join Jesse.

1:45 Freaky Friday- Halloween Special!

Time for Freaky Friday! Because today is the Halloween - the spookiest of all days - we've put together a special treat for you; we've got not one, not two, but three ghost stories coming up across the next couple of hours. 

Not all the Freaky Friday submissions we get are ghosts, but come on, it's Halloween, how could we not?!

2:10 Film Review: Kate Rodger's verdict on the Pike River film

Kate Rodger joins Jesse to review Pike River and Good Fortune. Both in cinemas now. 

2:20 NZ Live: Lou'ana is in our Auckland studio

It's NZ Live time, your weekly showcase of the best new music Aotearoa has to offer and today we're joined by Lou'ana.

Her new album 'Disco Witch' is out today, it's the follow up to her 2020 debut "Moonlight Madness"

3:08 Food with Gretchen Lowe

Spring might be a challenging season in terms of the weather, but how good is it for fruit and veges?! Asparagus is back on the shelves which makes us feel like summer is getting ever closer. 

Here to share a recipe that makes asparagus sing is Gretchen Lowe. 

3:16 Music 101: Kara Rickard shares new music

Kara Rickard host of Music 101 talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on her show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - she'll pick us a track to play

3:25 Weekend Stuff - DIY Projects

Mitre 10's Stan Scott joins Jesse to answer all your DIY questions. 

3:35 Critter of the Week: Celaenia aka Bird Dropping Spiders

If you’re stuck for a Halloween costume, this week’s critter could be a source of inspiration… or not! The Bird Dropping Spider.

Extra Extra! Critter of the Week Live Event!

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.