Afternoons for Friday 19 December 2025

1:10 Time out: The sport CEOs throwing in the towel

It's been a huge week in New Zealand sport - but not so much for action on the field. 

This morning news broke of the resignation of New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenick, which comes less than 24 hours after Netball New Zealand announced CEO Jennie Wyllie has quit.

RNZ sports reporter Dana Johannsen has been across it all and joins Jesse in the studio to discuss.

1:15 Could tears be the key to diagnosing Parkinson's disease

Could human tears be the key to diagnosing Parkinson’s disease?

Well, that's what some New Zealander researchers are trying to find out. 

Parkinson’s disease affects more than 12,000 New Zealanders and is the fastest-growing chronic neurological disorder in the world.

New Zealander researchers are leading a world-first study looking at tears and the role they might play in early diagnosis of Parkinson's.

Dr Victor Dieriks Senior Research Fellow at University of Auckland and the lead researcher for this study.

1:25 Chris Parkers' Christmas Survival Guide

The irony of course is that despite it being the season when people come together to break bread and party, it's also an increasingly stressful time for many. 

And what do you do when you're stressed? You call Chris Parker. 

Chris is withe Jesse to share his Christmas survival guide.

1:35 Six60's Mathiu Walters performs the band's newest single 'We Made It"

They were awarded the inaugural Aotearoa Charts Icon Award - recognising their incredible success with four #1 albums and 48 platinum-certified singles.

They're back with their new summer single 'We Made It', Matiu Walters joins Jesse to chat and sing!

1.40 A local take on UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena)

On Monday we spoke with the director of 'The Age Of Disclosure'  about his new documentary on UFO's .. which are now officially known as UAP's  or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.

Loads of you got in touch with your own theories, and stories. 

Including Peter Hassall, he's the author of 'The NZ Files' - a history of UFO sightings in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

1:45 Freaky Friday

This is our final Freaky Friday of the year, but the first slot in January is still up for grabs!

So if you have a story to share, send it in 2101 or Afternoons@rnz.co.nz 

2:10 Film Review with Dom Corry

Our critic Dom Corry shares his picks from the latest crop of new releases.

Avatar: Fire and Ash, released in theaters this week.
The Housemaid, which is in theaters Christmas Day. 

2:20 NZ Live: Best performances of 2025!

We're celebrating some of the best performances of the year

2025 has been a huge year for NZ Live, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with an entire month of extended birthday performances from Marlon Williams, Dave Dobbyn, Julia Deans, Don McGlashan & The Beths. 

In addition to those artists, we've had 37 others through the NZ Live studio this year.

They generally do 5 songs each so that's over 200 - mostly amazing - performances to choose from.

If your favourite hasn't made it into today's show, don't forget you can listen back to them all via the RNZ website. 

3:08 Food: Connie Clarkson's Coconut Chili BBQ Salmon Show

Manager of Auckland Council's Kitchen Project Connie Clarkson joins me now with a divine sounding dish.

The recipe is here

3:16 Top Christmas Cracker Joke

Share your best cracker joke! We're reveal the best from the rest.

3:25 Weekend Stuff: Lynda Hallinan shares gardening tips

3:35 Critter of the Week: Red Mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala)

Did you know we have nine mistletoes native to New Zealand? Meet Peraxilla tetrapetala, the endemic red mistletoe! They are especially slow growing and rely on birds such as tūī and bellbirds for pollination and seed dispersal. The flowers have an explosive bud opening mechanism triggered by birds when they try to get to the nectar inside. Unlike its overseas cousins, this mistletoe is endangered due to possum browsing, habitat decline and low bird numbers and should not be collected!

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.