Afternoons

Thursdays means it's time for group chat where we talk about the news that doesn't make the bulletins but might be all over your social media feeds. Joining Jesse is Kate Rodger, Culture 101's Perlina Lau and Afternoons' Senior Producer Olivia Wilson.

Our next story is especially pertinent today as much of the country gets lashed by wild weather. Researchers warn New Zealand is stuck in what they call "disaster inertia" - failing to learn lessons from repeated extreme weather events To discuss Jesse is joined by Judy Lawrence, Adjunct Professor at the Victoria University School of School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences

Quantum physics - it's a heavy topic for a Thursday afternoon, but stay with us, because what if quantum physics could help you charge your mobile phone or other devices in super quickly? Using quantum physics, our next guest has just helped develop the world's first quantum battery prototype. Dr James Quach is a Science Leader at Australia's national science agency, where he leads the Quantum Batteries Team.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, so does our pain at the pump. Earlier this week the government announced a fuel relief package, giving an extra $50 per week for New Zealanders who qualify. But is subsidising private cars and fossil fuels the smartest approach? And are there other levers we could be pulling? Dr Timothy Welch, an urban planning researcher at the University of Auckland chats to Jesse.

PayWave and card surcharges are back in the news today. Those are the fees you pay when you choose not to put your card into the EFTPOS terminal. Today the ACT party said that the Government's proposed ban on surcharges is dead, however Commerce & Consumer Affairs Minister, National's Scott Simpson, has said he's hopeful the ban will be in place by May. So here to help us work out what's going on, and how the surcharges actually work, Jesse is joined by Professor Claire Matthews. Claire is the head of Massey University's School of Accountancy, Economics & Finance.

It's Wednesday which means a chance to talk food. Kelly Gibney is away but we're stoked to have Dish Magazine's Chief Executive and Editor Sarah Tuck with Jesse and she's going to share a recipe that evokes comfort.

Time for heading off now! Our weekly travel segment where we jet around the world gathering tips and tricks for your future holidays. Let us know if you've been on an interesting journey recently and would like to tell New Zealand about it - 2101 is the text number. Joining us is Graham Mackenzie who is taking us to the Bugaboo Mountains, Canada.

Louis Theroux's recent documentary, 'Inside the Manosphere' put the spotlight on some really concerning content and content makers circulating online. These influencers are widely popular despite seemingly spreading messages of hate - so are they resonating with our boys and if so, what can we do to combat it? Here to give us her perspective is Dr Samantha Keene, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and a gender-based violence researcher at Victoria University.

If you've noticed one too many leaves starting to change colour and you're doing everything you can to hold onto those summer vibes, this conversation might be exactly what you need. From the 26th - 29th of March in Christchurch's Sumner, it's The Single Fin Mingle. Founder, Ambrose McNeill spoke to Jesse.

All this talk of supply chain issues has led to a resurgence of interest in self-sufficiency, to find out how you can live off the land we're joined now by Author of 'The Good Live: A self-sufficiency and modern homesteading guide" Gillian Swinton.