Afternoons

Most of us agree that it takes a village to raise a child, but that village should keep going way past childhood says Gillian Morris. The style of living that goes beyond the nuclear family, is called going supernuclear. For more than 10 years, Morris has lived with other people in a form of communal housing. Right now, she and her friends co-own a set of four apartments in Puerto Rico. She's the co-author of the Substack online publication, Supernuclear. It provides a guide to people who want modern living to be a little more old fashioned with a return to multigenerational homes and living with other people rather than living alone. Gillan Morris joins Jesse.

Every Tuesday we present an issue and get your thoughts on how to resolve it. This week we're looking at friends and what lengths people should take to keep a friendship alive. Let us know your thoughts on 2101.

Afternoons Podcast Critic Jemima Huston joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to. Sick to Death by The Australian The Birth Keepers by The Guardian

If any pop group in history had the knack for making a hit, it was ABBA. In less than 10 years, they had 25 top 40 hits in the UK, and 9 number-ones. This year marks the 50th anniversary of their album 'Arrival', their highest regarded album. To take us through it all is the one and only Lou'ana.

Catherine Ross is the Director of Library at Auckland Grammar School and she always has great picks to share for younger readers. Here is her list today: For Ages 10+ Dr Zeus By James Patterson (co-authored by middle grade author Chris Tebbetts) Published in January 2026 For Ages 11/12+ The Experiment By Rebecca Stead Published in September 2025 For Ages 13+ No Escape By M.A. Bennett Published in September 2025 For Ages 14+ Gone for Good Sarah Crossan (verse novel) Published in February 2026

It's time for Mayoral minutes, our new segment 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 Central Otago District where Mayor Tamah Alley joins Jesse.

The heyday of disco will make its long-awaited return to New Zealand when 'Boney M Featuring Maizie Williams' arrives next month. Maizie was an original member of Boney M, a band that helped define the disco-era and sold over 150 million records in the process. She chats to Jesse.

A new report analysing more than 6,000 charitable grants in Canterbury has found a significant gap between what funders say they prioritise and where their money actually goes. The research by Fundsorter shows some causes receive only a fraction of the funding promised. To explain further Co-founder and Chief Executive of Fundsorter Lani Evans joins Jesse.

Across the March and April school holidays, a theatre production called 'Swimming with Sharks' will be running at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The show is a collaboration with renowned puppet theatre company 'Erth', artistic director and shark puppet master Scott Wright is with Jesse.

Wastewater analysis from PHF Science shows the number of cases are currently at the highest rate for more than six months. It's been six years since New Zealand saw the rise of Covid-19, but experts suggest the country's collective immunity is waning. So, why are cases increasing and what can be done to reduce the risk? To answer these and other questions Jesse is joined by University of Auckland Associate Professor and Vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris