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Afternoons for Friday 12 December 2025

1:10 Why some NZ apple growers are ditching the US

A red apple.

People with aphantasia can describe an apple but simply can't call a visual image of the rounded, stem-topped fruit - or anything else - to mind. Photo: Maryam Sicard

One of New Zealand's major apple growers, Hawke's Bay's "Yummy Fruit", has stopped shipping to the U-S as a result to President Trump's tariffs.

The 15 percent tariff essentially cancelled out their margins, so some growers are shifting their focus to the Asia market ahead of a what's looking like a bumper harvest.

Jesse is joined by Danielle Adsett the Market access manager from New Zealand Apples and Pears.

1:15 Meet New Zealand Rugby's Referee of the Year

Maggie Cogger-Orr at RWC 2025

Photo: Smartframe

Ardie Savea took out Player of the Year at the NZ Rugby Awards last night, but another big award went to someone who spends 80 minutes trying not to be the centre of attention.

Maggie Cogger-Orr was named Referee of the Year, recognised for a career-best season that includes the Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinal between England and France.

She has also refereed two Six Nations finals, several World Cups, and the Olympics. and is now one of the most trusted officials in the international game.

Maggie Cogger-Orr chats to Jesse.

Maggie Cogger-Orr NZ Rugby headshot

Photo: Smartframe

1:25 The Tongan film going for Oscar glory

Luciane Buchanan stars in ‘Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue’, which she also wrote.

No Tongan film has ever been nominated for an Oscar, but that may change next year.  Photo: SUPPLIED / Vea Mafile'o

'Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue' is a short film directed by Vea Mafile'o. It stars Lucianne Buchanan in the lead role, who also wrote the script.  

The film has been shown at 20 international film festivals around the world, and now Buchanan's former co-star Jason Momoa is backing its bid for Oscar glory. 

Actress Luciane Buchanan joins Jesse from Los Angeles

1:35 Feesh and Cheeps? We look at the evolution of the Kiwi accent

Dr Brooke Ross.

Dr Brooke Ross. Photo: Xin Wang

What do fish and chips, pen and six all have in common?

Answer? They're some of the words we New Zealanders get mocked the most for.

Some find our accent a delight, others a disaster but how did we come to sound like we do? 

A new project at Auckland University has been looking at the evolution of the Kiwi accent and it has uncovered a lot. 

Post-doctoral fellow Dr Brooke Ross is co-lead on the project and joins Jesse.

1:45 Freaky Friday

Time to get your freak on! Please send us your terrifying tales! It could be something that sounds spooky, a taste of the occult or a bizarre co-incidence. 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Today we're joined by Erica Hodgson in Auckland.

2:10 Films: Kate Rodger on what to watch this summer

Avatar 3 mural in Wellington

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Best of 2025: One Battle After Another; Sinners; Tinā

What to see next: Avatar; Not Only Fred Dagg; Song Sung Blue; My Brothers Band

2:20 NZ Live: Paige!

Time for NZ Live, and today we've got Paige in the studio. 

The Auckland based singer signed a record deal with Sony Music in 2019 after being championed on IG by Billie Eilish

Since then, she's released and album 'King Clown'. And more recently an EP PaigeSpace. 

Paige is sat in what looks like a bedroom. It has cabin vibes. She is sat on a Persian Rug, the wall is wood paneled, and there are a couple of guitars leaning up against the bed,

Photo: Supplied - Sony Music

3:08 Food: Turkey Burgers for the win!

An image of turkey burgers, featuring a turkey mince pattie, topped with cranberry sauce and garnished with rocket leaves.

These juicy burgers can be made with turkey or chicken mince. Photo: Julie Biuso

Shared Kitchen's Julie Biuso joins Jesse and has a great summery recipe to share, Turkey burgers!

Here's the link to the recipe

3:16 Music 101: Tony Stamp is in the studio

Thom Yorke (ex Radiohead).

Thom Yorke (ex Radiohead). Photo: Supplied

Tony Stamp is host of Music 101 this Saturday. He joins Jesse to tell us what's on the show tomorrow and shares a tune. 

3:25 Weekend Stuff: Getting your home clean for Christmas

A hand in a yellow plastic glove cleans a window with a squeegee.

A high-quality squeegee with a soft sponge on one side and a rubber back is a great window-cleaning investment. Photo: CJ / Unsplash+

It is such a busy time of year; we're well into the festive season; kids are finishing school; there are visitors aplenty and that's before we even get to Christmas Day! So how do you keep your home clean, and fly free, with so much going on?

Rachael Quin from The Housekeeper NZ is here to help

3:35 Critter of the Week: Turbott’s Weevil (Anagotus turbotti)

Photo: Shaun Lee CC-BY via iNaturalist

Jesse and Forest and Bird's Nicola Toki discuss this week's critter of the week is the beautiful and emblematic Turbott's Weevil. These large, flightless and nocturnal weevils were likely once widespread throughout mainland New Zealand but are now confined to predator-free islands like Aorangi Poor Knights Islands. Not much is known about their biology, and their small population means they are considered ‘At Risk’ in the New Zealand Threat Classification system. They are also one of a handful on invertebrates listed as protected under the Wildlife Act. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

wallace chapman

Photo: wallace chapman