Afternoons for Friday 7 November 2025

 

1:15 Lights, camera, ACTION! Reaction to the screen rebate changes

Big news for the film industry today, with the Government announcing a major boost to the screen production rebate scheme.

The rebate allows film companies and producers to receive cash back from money spent here during production.

The main changes revealed this morning are that the current rebate could go from 20 to 25 percent, the minimum spend for feature films to qualify for the rebate will be lowered, and the threshold for productions to access the extra 5% will drop ... to help attract more bid budget productions. 

It's hoped that changes - that come into force from January - will lift our competitiveness against other countries around the world.

Kelly Martin is the CEO of South Pacific Pictures and talks to Jesse.

1:25 How do we know if our food has been genetically modified?

Changes to our genetic modification laws have our scientists and politicians struggling to agree on a way forward.

Over the last few weeks we have been discussing various aspects of the gene tech bill which has stalled in Parliament.

We've spoken to Professor Andrew Allan and Professor Jack Heinemann for their take on the issue.

Today... we want to delve into the labelling of food... because how would we know if the food we're eating is genetically modified?

Emily King is a food systems expert and the author of Re-food - she is urging caution over changes to our GM laws and labelling.

1:25 Bloomin' good news! Winner of the Young Horticulturist of the Year

Canterbury nursery manager Jake Linklater has won the prestigious Young Horticulturist of the Year trophy.

He won the title last night after an intensive two-day competition.

Jake also took out the Best Practice Award and the Sustainability Award, he joins Jesse. 

1:30 The secret to making a good scent

A new six-part video series that dives into the world of perfumery in Aotearoa kicks off on Monday.

Journey of Scent is billed as a sensory adventure that takes us into a world that we rarely get to see.

It stars Nathan Taare and Whitney Steel who join me now. 

1:45 Freaky Friday

Time for Freaky Friday. Our home for your spooky stories, terrifying tales and eerie encounters
 
If you have a story to share, be that a ghost, a UFO, or something else unexplained we want to hear from you.

Send us a brief outline of your tale to 2101 and we'll add it to the list.

After last week's Halloween special, we're taking a step away from ghosts and going for something a bit different this week.

And for that Margaret from Makorori joins Jesse.

2:10 Film Review: TOITŪ Visual Sovereignty 

Film critic Kate Rodger joins us to share her film recommendations. 

Predator Badlands - in cinemas

TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty - go here to see venues

2:20 NZ Live: Love Square in studio

Time for NZ Live, our weekly showcase of Aotearoa's best musicians...

Today the studio is full of horns .. there are saxophones and trumpets everywhere.

And amongst the instruments are Nick Atkinson, Finn Scholes, & Al Deverick... A.K.A. Love Square

Their new album 'The Lighthouse' is out now.

3:08 Food with Connie Clarkson

Auckland Council's The Kitchen Project manager Connie Clarkson joins Jesse to chat food. 

Today her recipe is gado gado with peanut sauce. Recipe is here

Gado Gado means “mix mix” in Indonesian 

Gado-gado is  a traditional Indonesian salad made of a medley of cooked or raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, fried tofu, all brought together with a rich peanut sauce. The name literally translates to "mix-mix,"

So versatile: use any combination of vegetables – waxy potatoes, kumara, beans, asparagus, - great for leftovers.
             

3:16 Music 101: What's on this weekend?

Kara Rickard host of Music 101 here on RNZ 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.

Today's song is Jed Parsons - I might go swimming

3:25 Weekend Stuff: Gardening and whatnot

 It's time to chat about what you get up to in the weekend, today Jesse is joined by talented garden designer Tony Murrell from Murrell Gardens.

3:35 Critter of the Week: Striated Ant aka Huberia striata

Jesse chats to Forest and Bird Chief Executive about this week's critter.

Huberia striata belongs to the only fully New Zealand endemic genus of ant. Widespread throughout Aotearoa, they nest underground in native bush. Like other ant species, they are known to farm plant hoppers and scale insects by keeping them safe in their nest and then milking them for their sweet honeydew secretions. Their name comes from the fact that their body is covered in long thin lines (striations), making them look wrinkly!

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.