Afternoons

Approximately 73 thousand Kiwis left New Zealand in the past year, and over half of those moved to Australia. Indeed it seems like every day there is another article about New Zealanders moving across the Tasma for better jobs, better money and a better lifestyle, but is that really true? Well TVNZ's Jack Tame is investigating that very question for a new show airing on Monday night called You, Me & Aussie and joins Jesse to discuss. You, Me & Aussie is on Monday 11th May on TVNZ1 at 8:40pm and TVNZ+.

[picture id="4KGB12Q_31681878_751954_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

Honey bees might technically be an introduced species but despite that, we think it's fair to say we generally see them as a good thing. They're the engine of our world leading honey industry, and play a vital role pollinating crops like Kiwifruit, apples and clover. In fact, their contribution is valued at over $5 billion annually. But according to new research from the University of Auckland, they might also be playing a role in the destruction of our native trees Jesse is joined by senior scientist at New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Dr David Pattemore.

[picture id="4ORPYIM_copyright_image_77932" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

In England voting has closed in one of the largest council elections in years. There are around 5,000 council seats up for grabs, and over 25,000 people contesting them. There are also parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales. But the thing that makes this election special - it's the first real test of the 'Green Wave' vs the rise of 'Reform UK' narrative A bad result will also put more pressure on Kier Starmer's Labour government which has seen a significant decline in popularity Jesse is joined now by Marcus Ganley who's been following the action. Marcus is a public law specialist with firm Franks Ogilvie but was previously a ministerial adviser to the Clark government and held senior roles in Australian federal politics.

[picture id="4JOZK7Y_AFP__20260507__B23M3YP__v1__HighRes__BritainPoliticsVote_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will always make you smile as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel.

Every second Thursday we have group chat: a chance to talk about the stories that might not make the news bulletins but do fill up your social media feed, Jesse is joined by Culture 101's Perlina Lau, Olivia Wilson, senior producer on Afternoons and film aficionado Kate Rodger.

It's time to talk history with Dr Grant Morris and today he's looking at whether NZ was the most Scottish place, outside of Scotland. during colonial times.

Let's try to solve some of the world's problems now, it might sound ambitious but every second Thursday for ten minutes or so we do our best to right some wrongs, or at least discuss how to approach doing so. Jesse is joined by Dave Armstrong from the Wellington production company Armstrong Creative. Dave wants to discuss Wellington Council's offices, artwork spend and the water meters.

Time for NZ Sporting History, and today we're with local lawn bowls great Peter Belliss. Born and raised in Whanganui, Peter was one of the first true professionals in New Zealand bowls. And he's done it all, he's been a world champion, Commonwealth Games medallist, and coach. In 1988 Peter was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to bowls, and last year he was among the first crop of inductees into the World Bowls Hall of Fame. Peter joins Jesse from his home in Whanganui.

How much would you pay for a good night's sleep? I'm asking because a thing called sleep tourism is becoming a huge and huge money-making industry. A 2024 report by HTF Market Intelligence found that worldwide sleep tourism is worth more than 690 billion US dollars. Hotels offering sleep deals are all over the place and can feature specialized rooms with soundproofing, blackout curtains, pillows, calming mists and special menus designed to help sleep deprived guests. Dr Charlotte Gupta, who is a sleep & nutrition scientist at Central Queensland University.

Plastic seems to be everywhere, in everything, and possibly even in every one of us when it comes to micro plastics. While we imagine many of you do your best to cut down on single plastic us, a group of Wellington students has committed to going without it altogether in their flat. To find out just how hard that is, Jesse is joined by Leah Werner and Simon Langham