Afternoons

Afternoons' book critic Catherine Robertson is here to share what she's been reading: Hood's Landing by Laura Vincent (Aporo Press) The Island Retreat by Cathy Kelly (Harper Collins) Seed by Elisabeth Easther (Penguin)

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 Ashburton, from where Mayor Liz McMillan joins Jesse.

How loyal are you and why? New Zealanders are signing up for more and more loyalty cards. In the first of a two-parter, 'Loyal or Lazy?', Katy Gosset asks: are they really saving us money?

We've talked a lot about fuel on the show recently, including alternative options like hydrogen, and today we're going to look at ammonia and urea. It's primarily used here as a fertiliser, to increase crop yields and boost pasture growth for sheep and dairy, however there's also demand for it as a green fuel. The bulk of our ammonia and urea supplies come from the Middle East, but one Kiwi company is hoping to change that. Liquium is a new company spun out of Wellington University that is aiming to boost domestic production efficiency and unlock new ammonia export markets. Chief Executive Paul Geraghty joins Jesse.

The United States' National Collegiate Athletic Association Women's basketball final has just been held, and for the first time a New Zealander was part of the winning team. Hamilton's Charlisse Leger-Walker is in the UCLA Bruins and they beat the South Carolina Gamecocks in the championship game 79-51 on Monday our time. Charlisse played a pivotal role in the final, playing 26 minutes and landing two three pointers Charlisse's mum Leanne Walker, a former Tall Fern herself, was at the game with all the family, she chats to Jesse.

We kick off today in Hawke's Bay, where the Government has just committed to a loan of $18 million towards a proposed dam. A dam on the Makaroro River has been on the cards for years, various attempts to get it off the ground have been hit with controversy. This investment will mean the viability of the dam can be tested - to find out how they'll do that Jesse is joined by Tukituki water security project chairman Mike Petersen.

Could this be the secret to finding happiness?

The war in Iran is causing global market uncertainty, personal finance whizz Mary Holm joins Jesse to discuss what that might mean for you.

It's time to talk relationships so Jesse is joined by Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology Do let us know if there are any topics you would like Kirsty and Jesse to cover at [email protected] Today they'll discuss how to cope when there is so much bad news.

This morning Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a cabinet reshuffle, which sees MPs Chris Penk and Penny Simmons get promoted, while MP Chris Bishop loses leader of the House and National Party campaign Chair role, but become Attorney-General. Former National Party Staffer and co-host of the 'Gone By Lunchtime' podcast Ben Thomas discusses the changes with Jesse.