Afternoons

Every Monday at this time Jesse likes to go clubbing, what better time than hitting the clubs than Monday afternoon? We've chatted to pigeon racers, lawnmower clubs, machine knitters, and an historic arms community. If you're a member of a club of society you think we should know about then get in touch, [email protected]

Brad Foster joins Jesse to talk about the stories hitting the headlines in Australia. Today he'll cover Australia's most decorated soldier Ben Roberts-Smith, Victoria's new Minister for Boys and Men and some sport.

The National Opera Studio in London is a long way from Rarotonga - but that's where rising opera star Ridge Ponini is heading after being accepted into the world-class training facility.

Our next guest is on a mission to make Mangere greener. Justine Skilling is a Mangere local and she has dedicated her PhD study to improving the tree canopy cover in the South Auckland suburb. That's because 30 percent tree canopy cover is the ideal amount - but Mangere has just over eight percent. Justine joins me now to explain how she's going to make it happen.

Parts of the lower North Island are under an orange heavy rain warning, and as you will have heard in the news, rain has already caused some chaos in Wellington. Already today Wellington's Fire and Emergency has responded to over 180 call outs, the interisland ferry service is cancelled, and one person is reported missing. But it's not just the capital that is under alert .. the warning covers Wairarapa, Tararua area and Kaikoura Coast & North Canterbury east of Lake Sumner. RNZ Senior Journalist Ellen O'Dwyer has been out and about in Wellington since 6:30 this morning, she updates Jesse on the latest.

While many people are focusing on National and the Prime Minister's popularity from the latest polls, we're keen to discuss the Green Party. Yesterday co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick delivered their 'State of the Planet' speeches in Wellington calling for a national plan to electrify homes, transport and industry with natural energy, as a response to the fuel crisis. The Greens remain steady on around 11 percent in the polls .. but should they, and could they, be doing more to show they can lead the country rather than position themselves for another term of supply-and-confidence? To discuss Jesse is joined by Democracy Project founder Bryce Edwards.

Nicola Toki joins Jesse to put the spotlight on a New Zealand critter that's endangered. This week it is the squeaking longhorn beetle.

Tony Murrell from Tony Murrell Gardens joins me to discuss what to do with your plants that are struggling to thrive.

Connie Clarkson loves this dish because, apart from being tasty, it's so good for you too. A recipe from Southern China, this recipe is perfect for cuts of meat which requires long looking. Think chuck, shin, brisket, it's fantastic value for money, really easy, healthy (only 1 tsp oil is used) and gravy is aromatic and very lush. Beef is a very nutritious package, containing 'a lot in a little' - protein, zinc and vitamin B12 - just one serving of lean chuck steak, trimmed of fat, contains less than 10g fat! All ingredients readily available in the supermarket.

Fridays are when we talk films here on Afternoons, our critic Dominic Corry joins Jesse with his recommendations: Fuze and The Mummy - both in theatres this week.