Afternoons for Thursday 11 September 2025

1:15 Life on Mars? What does that mean for us Earthlings?

News has landed...that...scientists believe a rock sampled by NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars contains 'clearest sign' yet of ancient life on the red planet...

By why should we care and what does it means for the future of space travel?

Aerospace entrepreneur Mark Rocket became the first New Zealander to go to space earlier this year. 

We thought we'd pick his brain about aerospace in New Zealand and if we might see Kiwis living on Mars anytime soon. 

1:25 The project bringing together young and old

A very special book was launched this week at the Elmwood Rest Home in Auckland's Manurewa

The picture book 'Silent Witnesses' is a collaboration between a group of children from Manurewa's 'The Gardens School' and a group of the rest home's residents.

Author David Riley brought the project to life and chats to Emile about it. 

1:35 Why you should care about Rupert Murdoch's media empire

This week, a deal was reached to resolve the years-long succession battle over the Murdoch media empire

At 94, Rupert Murdoch had long intended for his politically conservative son, Lachlan, to succeed him... ensuring that the company's media outlets would continue to reflect his conservative views

It's believed the deal puts an end to Rupert's fears that his older, more politically centrist children would outvote Lachlan after his death and shift the editorial direction.

Journalist and publisher Eric Beecher, who was once hired by Rupert Murdoch as editor of The Herald in Melbourne, offers a unique perspective on the situation

Beecher is the author of The Men Who Killed the News, a book that explores media moguls with long histories of abusing their power.

1:45 Great album: Amy Winehouse's Back to Black

We have an absolute cracker album to give away to the lucky link three winner today .. thanks to Real Groovy we've got the final studio album by Amy Winehouse .. Back to Black. 
It is a record with so many hits .. Rehab .. You Know I'm No Good .. Love is a Losing Game .. the list goes on and on.
Influenced by the pop and soul music of the 1960s girl groups, Winehouse worked with producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson to try to capture the sound of that period and blend it with contemporary R&B. 
With 20 million copies sold worldwide, Back to Black is one of the best-selling albums of all time and the UK's second best-selling album of the 21st century.
It established Winehouse as a cultural icon and is often credited for its key role in the widespread popularity of British soul throughout the late 2000s.

2:10 Group Chat: When celebrity interviews go wrong

Right time to talk about the issues filling up your group chats, dominating the walk to school conversations and slowing down the queue to the coffee machine.
 
Joining Emile is Kate Rodger and Afternoons Senior Producer Olivia Wilson. They're talking about why some musicians are leaving Spotify, a celebrity interview with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri that went pear-shaped and Taika Waititi's new project.

2:30 A-Z of Aotearoa: H is for Hillary!

Here on Afternoons we've been making our way through the A-Z of Aotearoa, delving into the most significant icons, industries, and cultural touchstones that make up New Zealand. We've done A for Aviation, B for Billy T James, C for Charles Upham, D for Dairies, E for Electric Bikes, F for Fish and Chips and G for Great Walks. 

Today we focus on Sir Edmund Hillary. 

3:15 Your Money with Mary Holm 

It's time to talk money with Mary Holm, and today she has got some tips on buying a house or an apartment.

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness

In March 1933, the Enabling Act was passed in Germany, handing Adolf Hitler unchecked power, which went on to become the legal foundation of his dictatorship. 
But in that moment, one voice spoke in defiance .. they were the last to be spoken freely in the German Parliament. 

The BBC Witness' Gill Kearsley explains. 

3:45 The pre-Panel 

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.