Life And Society
Feature Interview: Mean Mums at the School Gates
For lots of students all over New Zealand, going back to school today is about settling into a new classroom and reconnecting with mates. For many Mums, going back to school includes figuring out the… Audio
Expert Feature: Everything you need to know about Wills
It feels like every year we have conversations about the importance of having a will, and yet the number of people without one remains stubbornly high. While it can be tempting to put it off, dying… Audio
Jesse Goes Clubbing!
This week Jesse hits the Machine Knitters Club - and chats to club delegate Jeena Monk. If you've got a club you'd like Jesse to join for the day, message us on 2101 or email us, afternoons@rnz.co.nz
…Stan Walker shares his latest single 'One Life'
Fresh off a busy summer of shows and festival appearances, Stan Walker is back with a new single. It's called 'One Life', and Stan worked with a pretty legendary hip-hop figure to bring it to life. It… Audio
Why are school uniforms so expensive? And do we need them?
With the start of term, families are grappling with familiar uniform dilemmas.
'Food is one of the most delightful things that we've created' - Ottolenghi
Eating well is one of life's great joys, so it's a mistake to only think of food as nutritional fuel, the globally-celebrated chef and author says.
How your brain can be trained like a muscle
When the brain is asked to stretch beyond routine, that slight mental discomfort is often the sign that the brain is being trained, a neurologist says.
What are the money lessons to teach your kids at every age?
From saving pocket money and delayed gratification to more complex concepts like compound interest, children will soon pick up these financial smarts if introduced to them in the right way.
Review: Carefully observed truths and aural loveliness abound in new Fazed On A Pony album
Warm and wise, the alt-country of Fazed on a Pony's second album swan is a reassuring listen.
Should isolated communites be allowed to clean up after weather events?
Last week's severe weather has highlighted the differing ways some small communities approach the cleanup, with some saying locals need to be empowered to muck in themselves rather than waiting for… Audio
Weekend Stuff: Gardening with Lynda Hallinan
Gardens really don't take holidays do they? If only you could put the weather on hold for a month, so our gardens stay in a holding pattern too! Lynda has lots of helpful advice for sorting out wild… Audio
Freaky Friday for 30th January 2026
Freaky Friday - that time of the week where we hear your spooky, ghostly or simply unexplainable stories. If you've got one to share, get in touch on 2101 and one of our producers will be in touch. Audio
Why learning to dance can do more than make you feel good
Whether you love losing yourself to dance - or dancing like no one's watching - for many dance brings joy. But it also keeps people active, provides community spaces and can help young New Zealanders… Audio
How to build your child’s confidence as they start school
Practise using bags and lunchboxes and get in the groove of the new morning routine.
The Beckhams, Kanye West and Blake Lively.
A lot has been happening in the world of pop culture over the last few weeks, and for my next guests, the notifications on their group chats have been going off! Jesse is joined by film critic Kate… Audio
The benefits of being a hands-on grandparent
A study out of Netherlands has shown that being a hands on grandparent is good for your brain. Researchers found that grandparents who had some childcare responsibilities scored higher on cognitive… Audio
Frank on a mission to find world's best flat white
A British man who goes by the name Flat White Frank is on a mission to find the best flat white in the world - and he is currently in New Zealand sampling the best brews we have to offer. Frank spoke… Audio
Wellington’s much loved Lola the Cat dies
A much-loved and famous three-legged cat from Wellington's Aro Valley has died, and tributes have been rolling in from far and wide. Krystal Gibbens reports on the death of Lola the Cat. Audio
Doing stretches in your warm-up? Don’t
Over the decades, we've had numerous interesting warm-up theories that no longer stand up to the research on injury prevention and sport performance.
Why do we have 'meet the teacher' days and how do you get the most out of them?
A 15-minute window to meet your child's teacher may seem brief, but get it right and you'll get the school year off to a good start. Here's how to make the most of it.
