Afternoons for Monday 23 February 2026

 

1:10 Chris Hipkins' vision for NZ

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has just delivered his State of the Nation speech. 

But with no new policies announced is this really going to get him over the line in an election year?

Bryce Edwards joined Jesse.

1.20 New move-on orders - where will people go?

The government has announced it will give police new powers to issue so called move-on orders - as a way to legally get disruptive individuals out of a particular area like the CBD.

It's expected to impact the way they police homelessness in particular, in Auckland and across the country.

But once you move on someone who doesn't have a home, where do they go?

Director of the Methodist Mission in Christchurch Jill Hawkey spoke to Jesse.

1.25 New Zealand's most impressive supercomputer

Dr Jess Robertson, National Manager of Advanced Technology at Earth Sciences New Zealand joined Jesse to speak about New Zealand's most impressive supercomputer. 

1.30 How well do U.S based AI tools understand our national curriculum?

In 2024, the Ministry of Education released guidelines for the use of AI tools in the classroom.

The guidance stated that generative AI should be used to “improve teaching and learning, supporting knowledgeable and skilled teachers.”

However, many of the most widely used AI tools, such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, are developed and based in the United States.

That raises an important question, how well do these tools understand our national curriculum?

And if their knowledge is limited, how effective can they really be in a New Zealand classroom?

Australian education technology company CurricuLLM has been looking into this. 

Founder Dan Hart spoke to Jesse. 

1:45 Here Now

Back to Basics goes to Iran this week, with singer and percussionist Esmail Fathi from Christchurch.

2:10 OZ Update: What's happening in Australia?

Brad Foster joins Jesse to discuss the latest developments across the Tasman.

Today, he’s talking about the return of the so-called ISIS brides, who are seeking to come back to Australia from Syria.

2:20 Jesse Goes Clubbing

Monday means Jesse hits the clubs.

If you've got a club you'd like him to visit, please text us 2101 or email us afternoons@rnz.co.nz.

Today Jesse is chatting to Daryl Purdie from Auckland's Pinball Club.

2.30 Expert Feature: Birding with Rick Szabo

Today we're exploring the world of Birding - otherwise known as Birdwatching - with Rick Szabo. 

Rick has been birding for more than 14 years and observed over 1600 different species. 

He also guides tours for fellow bird enthusiasts in Texas, California, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Costa Rica. 

3:10 TV Critic 

Caitlin Cherry reviews:

Younger (Netflix)

The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 (Netflix)

3:25 Roadie Songs

Is there anything better than a roadie? that feeling of getting out of town, hitting the road and turning the stereo up loud?

Send us the songs you love to play on a road trip and why. Text 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz

3:30 Feature Interview: Using AI to decode the sounds and signals of other species

Hearing a bird sing, a dog bark, an orca squeal has led so many of us to wonder if might be possible to talk to animals.   

Aza Raskin wants to listen to them. He’s the co-founder and CEO of the Earth Species Project, which uses artificial intelligence to decode the sounds and signals of other species. The aim isn’t just translation; it’s understanding. Early breakthroughs from studying highly intelligent crows to other vocal animals suggest we’re beginning to hear patterns that were once invisible to us.

Raskin believes that learning to truly listen to animals could transform how we see and treat each other and the rest of life on Earth.

3:50 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's edition of The Panel.