Afternoons

Every Tuesday we get your help solving an issue. This week we are looking at disciplining other people's kids. Should you? Text 2101 or email us [email protected] your thoughts!

Afternoons podcast critic Linda Burgess joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to: Better Known (Ivan Wise) Homing (Matt Giberd)

Afternoons critic Anna Rankin is keen to discuss the book it seems everyone is talking about right now, The Valley, by Asher Emanuel

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 the New Plymouth in the Taranaki region from where Mayor Max Brough joins Jesse.

How well do you know your grasses? We're asking because conservationists are worried some of you might be accidentally spreading a harmful pest plant. You see, invasive Pampas Grass is commonly mistaken for native Toetoe, and that's a mix up that could see the harmful weed spread through our vulnerable ecosystems. Terence Stewart, Founder and Owner of Native Restorations joins Jesse.

The parents of a young man who died in a drugs related incident are backing a law change that they believe could have saved their son Jacob's life. The Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill is currently being considered by the Health Committee, with submissions closing on Tuesday 16 June. If passed into law, this bill would legally protect those who call 111 for help. That protection would apply to the caller, the person needing help and anyone who stays at the scene to help. According to the Drug Foundation, similar laws overseas have reduced opioid overdose deaths by 10-15%. In Aotearoa that could mean 19-28 lives saved every year. Jacob's mum Shelley O'Dwyer joins Jesse alongside Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm.

Big critter news out this morning, a suspected scorpion has been found in a bathroom in an Auckland home. The arachnid has since died, and MPI has collected it for further study. To find out if we should be worried, Jesse is joined by Te Papa curator of invertebrates Phil Sirvid.

We're going to start today's show talking about our nuclear policy. That's because at a forum in Singapore Defense Minister Chris Penk said it could be "helpful" to have a conversation about Nuclear Free New Zealand. He made the comments in reference to Australia's agreement to acquire three nuclear powered Virginia Class submarines from the United States. Speaking on Morning Report today Prime Minister Christopher Luxon comprehensively ruled out any such conversation. Labour leader Chris Hipkins also dismissed the idea. But is it actually a conversation we should be having? Liam Hehir thinks so. The lawyer and former active National Party member joins Jesse to discuss.

The pre-Panel

Nicola Toki joins Jesse to shine a light on a creature that needs some love. This week it's the humpback whale.