Afternoons for Friday 14 November 2025

 

1:13 Explainer: What actually is the Regulatory Standards Bill?

We're going to start today's show talking about the Regulatory Standards Bill -which has now passed its third reading in Parliament.

Despite more than 98% of public submissions opposing the bill, it sailed through with the backing of all three coalition parties. 

That means it's now set to be signed in to law by the Governor-General.

But what actually is the regulatory standards bill? It feels like there has been a lot of commentary from people for and against the bill .. but we wondered how many of you actually know what it will do?

 RNZ Political Reporter Russell Palmer joins Jesse.

1.18 How will drug driving testing work?

December will see police beginning roadside drug driving testing in Wellington before rolling it out to the rest of the country.

According to Transport Minister Chris Bishop "around 30% of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug".

We wanted to know what the testing will look like ... how it works and how reliable it will be.

Here to share his thoughts is Hayden Eastmond-Mein from the Drug Foundation.

1:25 Why the Coromandel is more than beautiful beaches

The Coromandel is growing in reputation as a centre for adventure, thanks in a large part to Andy Reid.

Andy co-founded Adventure Racing Coromandel with his mate Keith Stephenson, creating lots of events including the K2 bike race and the Kauri Run. 

Now Andy has written a book taking us behind the scenes of 20 years of Adventure Races. It's called 'Are You Trying to Kill Us?' He talks to Jesse.

1:35 Bus Driver Appreciation Day

There are over 7000 bus drivers across the country - and this Sunday is a day all about them.

To show our appreciation, Jesse chats to kinetic bus driver Peter Smith from Wellington.

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, we want to hear from you. Send us a brief outline of your tale to 2101 and we'll add it to the list.

Mark joins Jesse to talk about his brush with death on Mount Everest.

2:10 Film Review: Does The Running Man stack up to the original?

The Running Man

Now You See Me: Now You Don't

Keeper

All in cinemas now. 

2:20 NZ Live: L.A Mitchell is in our Christchurch studio!

It's time for NZ Live and today Jesse is joined by Ōtautahi Christchurch singer songwriter L.A Mitchell 

You may know her from 'Fly My Pretties', 'Bill Withers Social Club' alongside Troy Kingi and Christchurch pop-rock band Dukes.

She joined us a few years back for a NZ Live with 'Terrible Sons' her project with husband Matt Barus.

She's here to share songs from her 3rd full length solo album 'Meaningful work' which is out later this month 

L. A Mitchell joins us from the Christchurch studio.

3:08 Food with Julie Biuso

Julie Biuso has just got back from Greece and she's brought with her some summer food inspiration for us all.

Julie shares what makes a Greek salad sing - what should, and what shouldn't, be in one?!

Keep ingredients in chunks or thick slices – this is not meant to be a dainty salad.

Don’t toss and mess it up. Keep the feta whole and break it apart with a fork and spoon as you serve the salad. Do not use fresh oregano in place of dried.

For a bright note, replace half a tablespoon of vinegar with a few squirts of lemon juice.

3:16 Music 101: Kara Rickard picks some new music

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.

Keep in the Dark by Flock of Dimes.

3:25 A Decade of Critter of the Week! (Part one)

Earlier this week we held a special event in Auckland celebrating a decade of Critter of the Week. 
Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki and Jesse sat in front of a live audience to chat about critters and conservation. 
We so appreciate the people who took part - in person or watching via the livestream - and it was such a terrific evening we thought we should share it with our radio audience too.  

3:35 A Decade of Critter of the Week! (Part two)

On Tuesday night we held a Critter of the Week live event to celebrate ten years of talking endangered species. 

Nicola Toki Forest and Bird's Chief Executive and I chatted in front of a live audience, but we didn’t want you to miss out – so we’re playing some of the conversation for you today. 

We’ve heard about the grossest critters which were like something out of a horror film, so to cleanse our palettes, Jesse also asked Forest and Bird CEO Nicola Toki about the most beautiful ones.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.