Afternoons for Wednesday 10 September 2025

 

1:15 How can we lower the dangers of rock fishing

Waikato District Council is considering blocking a rocky coastal area in an effort to prevent drownings. 

Papanui Point is south of Raglan and is the country's deadliest rock fishing spot.

Water Safety New Zealand has recorded 18 deaths there between 1980 and 2024 .. most recently a fisherman went missing on August 25

Despite repeated warnings, reports and coroners' inquests the message just doesn't seem to be getting through. 

To discuss what can be done, I'm joined by Jim Yeoman from the New Zealand Angling and Casting Association. 

1:25 Why do people insist on driving on some beaches?

There has been much debate about the right to drive vehicles on our beaches.

While some see it as the ultimate freedom - others argue its dangerous for beachgoers and a general nuisance

What doesn't get a lot of coverage is the impact on wildlife.

Graham Lowther has been a regular visitor to Auckland's Muriwai beach for the past 60 years and started documenting the damage vehicles were doing six years ago 

1:35 The ONE thing you can do to help with our waste problem

Zero Waste Aotearoa held its annual hui this week, marking 25 years since the movement first began here in New Zealand

The core principle of zero waste is to minimise waste production as much as possible... and then to compost, reuse, or recycle what's left

Gerry Gillespie has over 30 years of experience designing organic recovery systems - and he's been involved with the zero-waste movement since the very beginning.

1:45 Heading Off to India!

It's time for Heading Off where we share travel tales and adventure tips.

Today Jesse is joined by Jeremy Parkinson, the Executive Producer of RNZ's First Up. 

If you've got an adventure you'd like to share, please email us afternoons@rnz.co.nz

2.12 Music Critic: Marty Jones shares new songs

 Marty Jones joins Jesse with songs from Icelandic singer songwriter Laufey and  American singer songwriter Ethel Cain.

Laufey - Snow White

Ethel Cain - Nettles

2:20 Easy Eats: Cherry Tomato and Mozzarella Risotto

A cosy dish that tastes of warmer weather thanks to Kelly Gibney.
Tinned cherry tomatoes are such a brilliant way to get that bright taste of summer all year round. Here they are the star of a simple risotto, along with melting chunks of fresh mozzarella and a splash of balsamic vinegar. 
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil is the lovely way to garnish each bowl. Recipe is here!

2:30 Bookmarks with Mark Hadlow

It's time for Bookmarks now and today I'm joined by one of the most recognisable faces of stage and screen in this country, Mark Hadlow. 

Tickets are on sale now for the sequel to one of New Zealand's most successful plays, 'MAMIL' aka Middle-Aged Men in Lycra. 

Mark has reunited with writer-director Gregory Cooper for the follow-up. It's called 'GOMIL' aka Grumpy Old Men in Lycra. 

It's touring venues all over the country between the 18th of September and the 17th of October.

3:10 Feature interview: The flaws that lie within flawlessness

Perfect is the enemy of good. It's also the enemy of joy, creativity, relationships and even our health. We are living in the age of perfectionism says acclaimed author and contributing writer for The New Yorker, Leslie Jamison. Perfectionism used to be considered a "respectable flaw" you can confess to in a job interview. But now, with easy access to weight loss drugs and filtering apps, the illusion of perfect is everywhere. 
Her latest article explains the flaws that lie within flawless. Her piece is called The Pain of Perfectionism.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Time now for Our Changing World, we're catching up with host Claire Concannon who has been learning about one very kitted-out electric van, and what it might be able to tell us about our carbon emissions. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.