The Mixtape

Our guest compiles a C60 and talk us through their music selections.

Featured in Music 101

On air:

Saturdays at 4.00pm, encore on Thursdays at 11.00pm on RNZ National

An illustration of a cassette tape in yellow with two blue spools on a cyan background. The words "The Mixtape" appear in the corner and top.

RNZ exclusive

This podcast is only available on the RNZ website and apps, ad‑free and uninterrupted.

Kirsten Morrell

Kirsten Morrell

The Goldenhorse frontwoman and solo musician tells Kara about her new single 'Hoping and Wishing', and spotlights some tracks that have inspired her over the years.
New episode
Kirsten Morrell and Kara Rickard

Harry Ricketts

Harry Ricketts is a Wellington-based poet and educator who recently published his eleventh volume of poetry. In In this episode of The Mixtape he plays some of his favourite records and talks to Nick Bollinger about just what they mean to him.
Harry Ricketts

Reuben Bonner

The Others Way is an annual festival that takes place in Auckland, this year closing down part of K Rd to accommodate 3000 ticket-holders. Festival director Reuben Bonner talks about the work that goes into such a large undertaking, the jobs that built his skill set, and shares five of his favourite songs.
Reuben Bonner

Mike Hall & Milan Borich from Pluto

It’s been two decades since Pluto released Pipeline Under the Ocean, a record that not only went double Platinum but also helped define a golden era of New Zealand rock. Mike Hall and Milan Borich share stories about the album and some songs that have shaped their journey so far.
Milan Borich, Mike Hall, Kara Rickard

Mel Parsons

Ten years on from her last Mixtape appearance, the esteemed singer-songwriter joins us to share songs from some of her favourite Christchurch musicians.
Mel Parsons & Kara Rickard

Rob Davis

The creative brain behind some of the biggest video games in the world - including the new Ghost of Yotei - is picking the songs this afternoon.
Rob Davis

Jon Bridges

He's spent time as a stand-up comedian, TV and radio host, actor, columnist, author, and for the past 15 years has executive-produced a series of popular TV shows, the latest of which is Paddy Gower Has Issues. Jon Bridges joins us to share seven favourite songs, and chat about his extensive career.
Jon Bridges

Stefaan Van Leuven

This week's guest is a member of the successful Belgian band Soulwax, who since 1995 have been producing high impact alternative dance music, and this month will release their new album All Systems Are Lying.
Stefaan Van Leuven is a happy-looking man in a suit holding a beer.

Susana Lei'ataua

The beloved broadcaster and Fulbright Scholar talks to Tony Stamp about her various artistic pursuits - theatre, singing, photography - and her years spent in New York City, as well as various stints at RNZ in different roles, and seven songs that have been meaningful along the way.
Susana Lei'ataua smiling in front of grey background

Gareth Shute

The author of five non fiction books about music and creativity in Aotearoa, Gareth Shute's latest is called Songs From the Shaky Isles: A Short History of Popular Music in New Zealand. He also writes for music history website Audioculture, and has played in bands like The Brunettes, and more recently Thee Golden Geese. He joins us to share seven favourite songs.
Gareth Shute

Pickle Darling

Lukas Mayo has released four albums of bedroom pop under the name Pickle Darling. Working from a home studio in Ōtautahi Christchurch, they've received increasing critical acclaim, from local outlets as well as international. Lukas joins Tony Stamp to share some songs that influenced Pickle Darling's latest, Bots.
Lukas Mayo AKA Pickle Darling

Ipu Laga'aia

New Zealand-born Samoan tenor Ipu Laga'aia has been immersed in music his whole life. He studied classical voice at the University of Auckland and performed alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa at the gala for the theatre that now bears her name.
Ipu Laga'aia

Nick Gaffaney

Christchurch-born drummer, singer, and songwriter Nick Gaffaney honed his craft at jazz school before becoming one of New Zealand's most in-demand drummers. Over the years, he's played with iconic Kiwi acts including Anika Moa, Fat Freddy's Drop, Goldenhorse, Dimmer, Hollie Smith, and his band Cairo Knife Fight. Nick joins Kara to share six favourite tunes.
Nick Gaffaney performing in Cairo Knife Fight at Pappy and Harriet’s in the Mojave Desert

Lauren Tapper

Our guest on the mixtape today is the co-founder of kiwi fashion label Harris Tapper, which she started alongside her creative partner, Sarah Harris Gould in 2017. It's been praised for its "sculptural minimalism and subversive femininity". Lauren joins Kara to share some favourite tracks.
Harris Tapper

Aidee Walker

After her band Handsome Jeffrey won the Smokefree Rockquest back in 1998, our Mixtape guest this week moved into acting, appearing in a long list of well-known TV shows and films. She's also a multiple award-winning director, helming music videos for artists such as Crowded House and Benee.
Aidee Walker