Media Releases
Monthly Highlights: October
Released at 10:48 am on 2 October 2025
Out today
VIDEO | CURRENT AFFAIRS
MATA Reports: Not Her Destiny
For years, Destiny Church shaped every part of Lynia Morseu-Tol’s life: her faith, her family and her identity. As a takatāpui wahine Māori, its teachings left her feeling ashamed, conflicted and alone, all while she endured years of abuse at home.
Sixteen years after leaving the church, Lynia speaks out about its leaders, who she believes failed to protect her, while condemning Ngāti Uenuku - Rainbow Community.
This is Lynia’s story of reckoning with faith, identity and whānau. Out at 5pm at rnz.co.nz/video. Produced by Aotearoa Media Collective with support from NZ on Air and Te Māngai Pāho.
New Content
PODCAST | NZ STORIES
Search & Rescue NZ
Thursday 9 October
Over the years there have been thousands of search and rescue operations in New Zealand’s unforgiving outdoors. Most successful, some not. These stories will journey across the roof of New Zealand, Aoraki Mt Cook, to deep underground, into bush and canyon and everything in between. Search & Rescue NZ is hosted by Paul Roy, creator of award-winning podcast Deer Wars. Listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms. Broadcast Sundays at 7am from 12 October on RNZ National.
VIDEO | SHORT FILMS
Day One Shorts
Monday 13 October
Day One Shorts is a series of eight short scripted or factual screen stories by young emerging content creators and filmmakers from across Aotearoa. Previous films have covered a range of topics including art, culture, health, the environment, cultural issues and more. All short films will be available to watch at rnz.co.nz/video.
DOCUMENTARY | PASIFIKA, CULTURE
Being Niuean
Sunday 19 October
Being Niuean is an eye-opening documentary examining the impact of Niue’s constitution through the perspectives of those who have stayed, those who left, those who returned, and most importantly, those yet to come. This story unfolds not only Niuean history, but the wider Pacific dilemma of remaining under territorial administration and the pros and cons of migrant communities building new identities for generations abroad. Available at rnz.co.nz/video. Produced by Coconet TV. Made with support from NZ On Air.
PODCAST | TRUE CRIME
Nark
Monday 27 October
New true crime podcast Nark looks at the 1985 murder of prison inmate D'arcy Te Hira. On 5 January 1985 Te Hira was brutally beaten to death in the kitchen of Mt Eden Prison in Auckland. Recidivist burglar Ross Appelgren was convicted of the murder - twice. The story of Appelgren’s quest to clear his name is unheard of in the history of the New Zealand Criminal Justice System. Following his murder conviction, Appelgren escaped prison and became the first murder fugitive to participate in a live talkback show. Listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms. Released three times a week and broadcast on RNZ National, Sundays at 7pm.
PODCAST | MONEY
Thrift S6
Tuesday 28 October
Popular podcast, Thrift is back for another season. With the cost of produce on the rise, including meat, host Katy Gosset talks to a butcher about the most cost-effective cuts and learns some tips and techniques. Then, some hints for around the house: thrifty tricks to make your rental property feel like home and second-hand styling that won't cost a bomb. Katy also visits an op-shop in Dunedin that's run by and for students. Listen on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms. Also available on RNZ National - Tuesdays at 3.30pm from Tuesday 28 October.
Radio news & events:
RNZ.CO.NZ | LIVE STREAM
APRA Silver Scroll Awards
Wednesday 29 October
Watch the live stream of the prestigious annual awards for excellence in songwriting and composition as they happen at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch and follow RNZ’s coverage on air and online at rnz.co.nz.
RNZ NATIONAL | MUSIC SERIES
Nick Bollinger’s Not for Broadcast
Sunday 5 October
In the new five-part series, Nick Bollinger tells the story of New Zealand’s censored songs. From the earliest days of radio, there have been songs that were deemed unfit for airplay. Who banned these records and why? Starting with the discovery of a mysterious old leather-bound book, Nick Bollinger delves deep into the RNZ archives in search of answers. A new episode every on RNZ National from Sunday 5 October, 4pm or at rnz.co.nz/podcasts.
RNZ CONCERT | CLASSICAL COUNTDOWN
Settling The Score: Your Choice
Monday 27 October from 6am
Request a song - from Monday 6 October
Broadcast - from Monday 27 October, 6am
RNZ Concert is inviting New Zealanders to request their most loved piece of classical music. It could be an amazing movie score that stops you in your tracks, the music you walked down the aisle to, or an opera aria that sends chills down your spine. Make your request at rnz.co.nz/concert from 6 October and listen live to the curated requests on RNZ Concert on Labour Day.
RNZ CONCERT | LIVE BROADCAST
Auckland Philharmonia: Mozart & Mischief
Thursday 2 October, 7.30pm
Broadcast live from Auckland Town Hall, pianist Benjamin Grosvenor joins the Auckland Philharmonia, conducted by Shiyeon Sung, for a program featuring Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21. The evening also includes Respighi's La boutique fantasque and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 9. Listen live on RNZ Concert.
RNZ CONCERT | LIVE BROADCAST
NZSO: Four Seasons
Thursday 9 October, 6.30pm
Broadcast live from the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, violinist Pekka Kuusisto performs the Four Seasons by Vivaldi. Its musical depictions of lazy summer afternoons and brisk winter winds continue to delight. Kuusisto also conducts the Third Symphony by early Romantic composer Louise Farrenc. Listen live on RNZ Concert.
RNZ CONCERT | LIVE BROADCAST
Auckland Philharmonia: Fantastique
Thursday 16 October, 7.30pm
Broadcast live from Auckland Town Hall, the Auckland Philharmonia, conducted by Pierre Bleuse, performs a programme of dramatic orchestral works. Pianist Sylvia Jiang is the soloist for Liszt's Totentanz. The concert also includes a new work by Louise Webster and Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique. Listen live on RNZ Concert.
RECENT RELEASES
PODCAST | MONEY, LIFESTYLE
No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds
RNZ money correspondent Susan Edmunds wants to demystify money and personal finance with her new podcast No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds. During her career as a financial journalist, Edmunds has often started interviews with “sorry this might be a stupid question, but…”, and the podcast gives listeners the opportunity to ask those questions too. Send in your question as an email or voice recording to questions@rnz.co.nz and each week Susan will try to answer them. While you won’t get personalised financial advice, you will get good stuff you can use as you wrangle your money. Listen now at rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast channels.
DOCUMENTARY | ARTS & CULTURE
Joy, Full & Fearless
Documentary
Joy, Full & Fearless follows Joy Cowley as she shares the trauma and triumph that have woven her astonishing life as New Zealand’s prolific, widely published and much celebrated author of fiction for adults and children. Produced by Krafty Productions with support from NZ On Air & RNZ. Watch now at rnz.co.nz/video.
