Afternoons

Connie Clarkson shares a cracker recipe which she says can become so many things to so many people for so many occasions - entrée, canape, lunch box filler, can also be turned into a burger! Cooked in a pan, in air fryer, on the BBQ.

Kate Rodger is with Jesse to share what's on at the cinema. She'll chat about The Drama and do a roundup of school holiday films - GOAT, Super Mario Galaxy and Hoppers.

It's the home for all of your terrifying tales, occult occurrences, and spooky stories. So if you've got a haunting, a UFO, or maybe a seance gone wrong we want to hear from you. Text 2010 or email Jesse@ afternoons.co.nz Today we join Pip in Featherstone.

We first brought you the story of the Okarito Gorsebusters six years ago. That's when the call out went out for volunteers to help clear gorse along a lagoon in the area, in return for their help they would get a six-day kayaking adventure, free food and accommodation. Fast forward to 2026 and now the event has grown from a small working bee with mates, into a major event, in fact this year, organisers had to turn people away Okarito Gorsebusters organiser Baz Hughes chats to Jesse.

We need to talk about the cars on our roads or more specifically the utes. Utes are brilliant vehicles for the farm, for tradespeople and for people who actually need the space - but more and more they seem to be the vehicle of choice for people who live in a city. In fact new research shows 66 percent of trips by double-cab utes are made in urban areas. So what's the appeal and how can we convince people to move to vehicles more fitting to their needs? University of Auckland Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Alistair Woodward joins Jesse.

Auckland has signed a landmark deal with the Government promising infrastructure investment, housing, transport and economic development. There is even talk of the bed tax that Mayor Wayne Brown has long been calling for. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Mayor Brown are both calling this a major win that will mean greater co-operation. Joining Jesse with his reaction to the deal is Karl Budge, former Chief Executive of the ASB Classic and newly appointed Chief Executive of the Blues.

Recently we spoke to playwright Fiona Samuel about her new work 'Helen Clark in 6 Outfits' which opened this week at the Auckland Theatre Company. When we asked Fiona if the Right Honourable Helen Clark would be going to the play, she said she and the cast didn't want to know. Well, on Tuesday night the Former Prime Minister did go to the play, and Jesse got to talk to her about it afterwards.

This week on Artemis II humans have gone further into space than ever before, the last time we even came close was more than 50 years ago when we landed on the moon during "the golden age of space exploration." Here to tell us about those years and the effect they had on New Zealand is historian Dr Grant Morris.

Thursday afternoons are when we solve some of the world's problems and this week Steve Wyn-Harris is turning his attention to what happens to the farmers, growers, land and machinery when Heinz Watties shuts up shop.

Time for sporting history and today Jesse is joined by Brett Fairweather You'll might know Brett as the founder and face of Jump Jam, but he is also one of the world's most successful competitive aerobics performers. He won the inaugural World Aerobics Championship in 1990 and defended that title the following year!

Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson join Jesse to discuss the stories that might not make the news but usually make your social media feeds.

The second-hand fashion market is booming - from op shops to clothes swaps to resale apps - buying pre-loved clothing is increasingly being embraced by the younger generation. Yet despite its growing popularity, New Zealanders are still throwing away an alarming amount of clothing. Around 180,000 tonnes of textile waste are sent to landfill each year - that's roughly 34 kilograms per person Upcycling expert Bea Lorimer and founder of Heke Design joins Jesse to explain why and has some tips on how to upcycle successfully.

Most people achieve their masters degrees by going to university, studying long and hard hours but a few select people are gifted them through making exceptional contributions to their field. That's the case with our next guest. Unitec have awarded an honorary master's degree in applied science to Tamsin Orr-Walker MNZM, co-founder of Kea Conservation Trust

It might feel like the days of Covid are well behind most of us, but six years on from the initial outbreak, around 200 thousand New Zealanders are still dealing with it because they have Long Covid. So should more be done for those suffering the symptoms? We discuss that with Amanda Kvalsvig, Research Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago. But first Jesse talks to Esther, a Wellington-based freelance journalist who can share what it's like to have Long Covid.

Autism rates are soaring around the world. It's a trend that troubles Dame Uta Frith who has been studying the disorder for more than six decades. She says the idea of autism on a spectrum has expanded so much it's starting to lose any meaning at all. More and more, the diagnosis is being used to describe people with all kinds of social challenges or sensory issues. She worries that some people are self-identifying as autistic, even glamourizing it, fueled by social media instead of a specific clinical diagnosis. Dame Frith is an Emeritus Professor at University College London and says questions need to be asked to ensure autism research is robust and support is given appropriately.

Kelly Gibney shares a delicious sounding recipe. Click here for the recipe

Today we Head Off to South America for a tour of coffee, cacao and pre-colonial history. And to guide us we're joined by Fraser Alexander.

Against all odds, a New Zealand shoestring budget film is about to tour 21 theatres around the country. The Weed Eaters debuted at the NZ International Film Festival last year to high praise, and has gone on to win big at international film festivals - winning best feature at SXSW Sydney. It's a comedy-horror with the unforgettable premise of a strain of weed that turning friends into accidental cannibals. Writer and actor in Weed Eaters, Annabel Kean joins Jesse.

We're starting today's show talking about the US and Iran. President Donald Trump has agreed to suspend bombing and attacks on Iran for two weeks, subject to the Strait of Hormuz opening. An Iranian foreign ministry official says safe transit through the Strait will be possible for two weeks. Global oil prices have plunged as a result of the news - falling about 16 percent to around US$92 a barrel. Iran's Supreme National Security Council is claiming victory, saying they "forced" the United States to accept their 10-point plan. For his reaction to the latest developments, former Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff chats to Jesse.

For a lot of couples, the bedroom used to be the one place where the outside world went away. Now it's often lit by the glow of a screen. Smartphones have slipped into the most private part of our lives, turning quiet moments into scroll time and intimacy into interruption. Relationship therapist Baya Voce argues that the phone has become an uninvited third presence in many partnerships. And it's not usually dramatic blowups that cause the damage in a relationship, it's the constant little withdrawals of attention from one more email, one more notification, one more Instagram check.Voce writes about this modern relationship shift in her essay for AfterBabel, Your Marriage Has a Third: What Phone-Based Adulthood Is Doing to Love and Sex.

Our weekly segment where we get the audiences' help on a problem. This is your chance to weigh in, give your two cents with reckless abandon! This week a bill that's caused a fall out between cousins. One of them crashed the other's car, only to find it's uninsured - who should foot the bill? Should it be shared?! We love getting your thoughts on 2101.

Afternoons podcast critic Elliot Childs shares what he's been listening to: Fela Kuti, Fear No Man - An eight episode documentary about Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer and political activist Fela Kuti. The Idiot - Produced by Serial productions (who made Serial and S town)

Afternoons' book critic Catherine Robertson is here to share what she's been reading: Hood's Landing by Laura Vincent (Aporo Press) The Island Retreat by Cathy Kelly (Harper Collins) Seed by Elisabeth Easther (Penguin)

It's time for Mayoral minutes, where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing, how they're working to solve them and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to Ashburton, from where Mayor Liz McMillan joins Jesse.

How loyal are you and why? New Zealanders are signing up for more and more loyalty cards. In the first of a two-parter, 'Loyal or Lazy?', Katy Gosset asks: are they really saving us money?

We've talked a lot about fuel on the show recently, including alternative options like hydrogen, and today we're going to look at ammonia and urea. It's primarily used here as a fertiliser, to increase crop yields and boost pasture growth for sheep and dairy, however there's also demand for it as a green fuel. The bulk of our ammonia and urea supplies come from the Middle East, but one Kiwi company is hoping to change that. Liquium is a new company spun out of Wellington University that is aiming to boost domestic production efficiency and unlock new ammonia export markets. Chief Executive Paul Geraghty joins Jesse.

The United States' National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's basketball final has just been held, and for the first time a New Zealander was part of the winning team. Hamilton's Charlisse Leger-Walker is in the UCLA Bruins and they beat the South Carolina Gamecocks in the championship game 79-51 on Monday our time. Charlisse played a pivotal role in the final, playing 26 minutes and landing two three pointers Charlisse's mum Leanne Walker, a former Tall Fern herself, was at the game with all the family, she chats to Jesse.

We kick off today in Hawke's Bay, where the Government has just committed to a loan of $18 million towards a proposed dam. A dam on the Makaroro River has been on the cards for years, various attempts to get it off the ground have been hit with controversy. This investment will mean the viability of the dam can be tested - to find out how they'll do that Jesse is joined by Tukituki water security project chairman Mike Petersen.

Could this be the secret to finding happiness?

The war in Iran is causing global market uncertainty, personal finance whizz Mary Holm joins Jesse to discuss what that might mean for you.

It's time to talk relationships so Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology Do let us know if there are any topics you would like Kirsty and Jesse to cover at [email protected] Today they'll discuss how to cope when there is so much bad news.

This morning Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a cabinet reshuffle, which sees MPs Chris Penk and Penny Simmons get promoted, while MP Chris Bishop loses leader of the House and National Party campaign Chair role, but become Attorney-General. Former National Party Staffer and co-host of the 'Gone By Lunchtime' podcast Ben Thomas discusses the changes with Jesse.

Earlier this week we talk to broadcaster Joanna Paul-Robie on her cancer struggles, and how challenging it is being stuck in the middle: alive with terminal cancer that cannot be cured. That conversation inspired listener Andrew Dunn to get in touch with us to share his story in response.

Dr Sonja Lyubomirsky is a world renowned expert in happiness and after more than three decades of research, she says she sees a connection between happiness and not just being loved, but feeling loved. That's not just romantically, but with friends and family too. Dr Lyubomirsky says we can help create the love we are hoping for with simple things like curiosity and listening. She's co-written a new book called How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most.

Dish Magazine Editor and CEO Sarah Tuck joins Jesse to share a recipe hack her team discovered on TikTok.

Today we're heading off to Palau. Palau is an island nation that's part of the Micronesia subregion. Lonely Planet destination editor Jessica Lockhart joins us to share her travel tales.

Our weekly catch up with Our Changing World's Claire Concannon and this week she's looking into marine plastic pollution. But first she can share an update on the Kakapo breeding season.

We've been having lots of conversations about energy recently, and one area many of you have told us we should be talking about is geothermal. Geothermal Energy provides around 18% of our total electricity supply currently, but should we be looking to tap into this source more and boost that figure? Here to discuss, is Associate Professor John O'Sullivan from Auckland University's 'Geothermal Institute'.'

Awkwardly it seems many parts of the world have yet to catch up on their goodness, but that's about to change, well in South Korea at least. Kristine Kim has relocated from New Zealand to Seoul and that's where she's set up the Auckland Pie Garage.

NASA has begun the countdown to its first crewed mission to the Moon in 53 years! The historic mission, called Artemis II, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Thursday morning, NZ time, carrying four astronauts on board on a ten-day voyage around the moon Here to tell us more about the mission is Sam Lawler, Associate Professor of Astronomy at the University of Regina in Canada.

There could be a major shake-up to our alcohol laws later today A bill going before Parliament would allow bars, pubs, and clubs to open on religious holidays, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and Anzac Day morning. Currently, bars and restaurants can only sell alcohol if customers are "residing or lodging" on the premises, or if they are there to dine. Critics say the law is confusing. While patrons are generally expected to order a "substantial meal" to be served alcohol, there's no clear legal definition of what that means, and no requirement that the food actually be eaten. These laws have been in place since the late 19th century, and we wondered what these potential changes might reveal about our relationship with religion. Religious studies expert and Massey University Professor Emeritus of History Peter Lineham chats to Jesse.

Teenage hackers are reaching into online systems that run governments, corporations, and everyday life. The face of cybercrime isn't always an awkward, tech genius, it's often teens working with friends to shut down networks and extort millions. Joe Tidy is the BBC's cyber correspondent, and for the past decade he's been tracking a new generation of young hackers. His new book explores that underground world, and what the rest of us can do to protect ourselves. It's called Ctrl + Alt + Chaos: How Teenage Hackers Hijack the Internet.

Tuesdays mean You're the Judge; that's our weekly segment where we get your judgement on an irk, an issue, or a situation you need guidance on. It can be big issues like repairing friendships or separating couples into different retirement home, or smaller ones like whether it's okay to kiss your pet then kiss your partner. Today we're looking at if you should tell the truth at any cost. We love getting your reckons on 2101.

Time to talk about what's happening in the world of technology, Tim Batt joins me and we're going to start by looking at the new White House ballroom and what might lie beneath. Tim and Jesse also discuss the case of Meta and YouTube being sued by a young woman.

There's a long history of Kiwi musicians writing songs to support a good cause. Audioculture Te Iwi Waiata's Gareth Shute has been investigating the songs and the stories behind them. He chats to Jesse.

Book critic Lisa Glass joins Jesse to discuss three books that are ''speculative light'; novels with an element of sci fi for people who don't like sci fi. The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey - Penguin Books New Zealand The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley - Hodder & Stoughton Kings of This World - Elizabeth Knox - Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand

A fragment of a jawbone found in a cave in Somerset, UK, has revealed that dogs became man's best buddy 15,000 years ago. DNA analysis shows the jaw belonged to one of the earliest known domesticated dogs which suggest the friendship between the very first dogs and stone age humans was there almost from the very start. Originally from Kaikoura, Dr Lachie Scarsbrook is an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Oxford's Research Laboratory for Archaeology. He chats to Jesse.

We're going to talk bunkers now, because a company that builds them says it's seen inquiries from New Zealanders double since the start of the Iran war. So how much space do you need to put in a bunker, what do they even look like, and how do you go about designing and building them? Here to help answer those questions is Louis Clarke, principal of Hardened Protective Technologies.

A couple of months ago, one of you got in touch to ask about the welfare of animals on farms, and whether their wellbeing in heat, cold or rain was considered. We know that rising temperatures and heat stress are growing issues for humans - but what about the animals many of us rely on for our food? We called in a farmer to give us his perspective - joining us now from a dairy farm southwest of Te Awamutu, it's Pete Morgan.

President Trump has threatened to "obliterate" Iran's oil export hub of Kharg Island, oil wells and power plants if it does not soon agree to a deal to end the war even as he claimed talks were going well. But a spokesperson for Iran has once again denied any negotiations with US officials. Here to try and help us make sense of it all, Jesse is joined by Retired Major General John Howard. He is a former New Zealand Chief of Defence Intelligence and also a former Deputy Director at the US Defence Intelligence Agency in Washington DC.