Pandemic
Covid-19: How come there are so many Omicron variants?
We've all heard about new Omicron subvariants with such names as BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5. The recent proliferation of variants begs the question: is Covid-19 mutating faster than ever before? Dr Sebastian… Audio
The week in Detail: Volcanoes, elections, shipping and apples
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. Catch up on any episodes you might have missed. Audio
Science: New Omicron variants, and the longest-recorded Covid infection
Science commentator Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn with an update on the new BA.4 and BA.5 variants of Omicron which appear to be behind a new wave of Covid cases in South Africa. The longest-ever… Audio
The extra mile: What community healthcare workers went through in lockdown
New research into what community healthcare workers experienced in the early days of the pandemic has been released this morning - finding many answered 'a call of duty' to care for their patients… Audio
Professor Gary McLean on Omicron and its variants
Kiwi Gary McLean is a professor in molecular immunology at London Metropolitan University and a researcher with Imperial College. Professor McLean is back with us for an update on all the latest… Audio
Dr Becky: the 'Millennial parent whisperer'
Dr Becky Kennedy became Instagram's favourite 'parent whisperer' almost by accident. Indeed,Time magazine went as far as describing 'Dr Becky' - as she's known online - as the 'Millennial parent… Audio
How children saw New Zealand's Covid-19 restrictions
Researchers asked kids to draw comics as a way to understand how they're coping with the pandemic. Dr Julie Spray led the study and talks to Wallace about what they learned from kids' lockdown art. Audio
Covid-19 update with Dr Andrew Read
Will Covid-19 become an endemic, more agreeably mild virus that we just have to be wary of every winter, like the flu, or - as exemplified by the new XE variant - is this the coronavirus warming up… Audio
Calling Home: Rachel Nelson in Tashkent
Hawke's Bay native Rachel Nelson has lived in plenty of different places around the world - China, USA, Qatar and Germany, to name a few. But the experience she and her family are currently enjoying… Audio
Getting inside the heads of movie watchers
Director, writer and producer Kevin Goetz has been at the centre of the movie research industry for more than 30 years. Goetz is also a member of the Academy and was in attendance at the Oscars this… Audio
Calling Home: Rachel Nelson in Tashkent
Rachel Nelson has lived in plenty of different places around the world - China, USA, Qatar and Germany, to name a few. But the experience she and her family are currently enjoying in Tashkent is… Audio
Covid-19 update with Professor Michael Baker
Professor Michael Baker is back with us for a Covid-19 update. He discusses reservations about the mandates coming off tomorrow, trial data on booster shots for 12-17 year olds, and whether New… Audio
Riding On - tourism operator looks forward to border opening
The cycling boom has helped a King Country rural tourism business keep ticking over during the pandemic but the border opening to Australians this month can't come soon enough for Epic Cycle… Audio
Govt outlines next steps on covid restrictions
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson discusses the government's announcement on the next steps for covid restrictions. Audio
How even mild cases of Covid-19 can cause brain damage
A new study has provided the clearest evidence yet that Covid-19 can cause regions of the brain to shrink - and lead to cognitive decline - even in people who aren't seriously ill. Dr Maxime Taquet… Audio
Does working from home work?
Anne Helen Petersen and Charlie Warzel have been looking at the psychology and realities of remote work during the pandemic and put their findings together in a new book titled Out of Office - The big… Audio
Amanda Parer's 'Fantastic Planet'
The renowned Australian visual artist Amanda Parer is bringing 'Fantastic Planet' - giant inflatable luminous white 'humanoids' who land at different sites across the globe - to Auckland as part of… Audio
Plea for city workers to return to the office, as CBDs turn into ghost towns
One of the country's largest commercial landlords wants to see businesses encourage workers back into central city offices, before it's too late. Many CBD employees have been working from home in the… Audio
The Best Song Ever Written: Laura Daniel
Actor and comedian Laura Daniel joins the show to discuss what she has on at the moment, her desire to get overseas to perform, and why 'King of Wishful Thinking' by Go West should be viewed as one of… Audio
Back to Work - and the future of how and where we will work.
Bill looks at the future of work after our last couple of years; the old normal, the new normal, working during a pandemic. And as we hear about the great resignation, he considers a few pros and cons… Audio