Afternoons

Afternoons Group Chat is when we discuss the topics that might not make the news bulletins but could be in your WhatsApp groups. With Jesse is National Content Director Ali Ventura, Afternoons critic Kate Rodger and Culture 101's Perlina Lau. Today they are looking at Amanda Knox's new foray into standup comedy, the Australian netball team uniform for Commonwealth Games and the new doll that comes with a baby in a realistic amniotic sac.

A collective dedicated to bringing back North Island Kokako to our forests swooped into Rotorua last weekend. The group discussed new research, conservation efforts and ongoing threats to the species. Attendees included DoC staff, scientists, and volunteers from across the North Island. As well as enjoying the meet up, they got to view a yet unreleased Kokako documentary which traces decades of conservation efforts. Department of Conservation's Rhys Burns is the leader of the Kokako Recovery Group, he joins Jesse.

Nathan Villars is Campus Principal of ACG Sunderland in Auckland and he is keen to discuss whether we are doing right by our children. He believes struggling isn't a sign of failure, and sometimes we need to let our kids fail in order to grow. Nathan chats to Jesse.

We're starting today's show talking about fireworks, because the Government has decided not to ban their public sale. It comes after Parliament's Petition Committee recommended a ban after considering three petitions with around 93 thousand signatures between them. The decision not to ban private use of fireworks has left animal welfare groups deeply disappointed .. and it's fair to say, a little baffled. We'd love to know what you think about this .. do you think some crackers on the lawn is a bit of fun or well past its used by date? Dr Arnja Dale is SPCA chief scientific officer and chats to Jesse.

Australia became the first to pass laws keeping kids off platforms like TikTok and Instagram. France has now followed, and 25 other countries including New Zealand are considering doing the same. Bad idea says Dr Candice Odgers. She's an expert in adolescent mental health at the University of California and says governments are backing the wrong solution. She argues the evidence doesn't support social media bans as a fix for teen mental health and says young people will simply find ways around them. Instead, she believes investment should go into digital literacy, mental health services, teachers and safe spaces for teenagers. Dr Candice Odgers joins me now.

Kelly Gibney shares a delicious sounding recipe that doubles as a great way to use leftovers!

Time for our weekly travel segment Heading Off, your chance to experience some amazing adventures without leaving the comfort of your home. We'd love to hear from you if you have a great travel story to share. It doesn't need to be particularly exotic, just memorable. Today we're heading off to Nepal with listener Blair Hiscoke, who spent five weeks travelling through the Himalayas, walking to Makalu Base Camp, crossing three high-altitude passes, and eventually making his way into the Everest Valley.

RNZ podcast Our Changing World looks at what's going on in the world of science and discovery .. each week host Claire Concannon investigates people and places doing innovative and interesting things .. and she also joins Jesse to chat about it. This week we're looking into the future of flight.

A collective of charity op shops has banded together to shout about their significance to New Zealand. ReUse Aotearoa was launched last night at Parliament. Habitat for Humanity, Hato Hone St John, Hospice NZ, Red Cross, Salvation Army, SPCA and St Vincent de Paul are all involved. Their aim is to highlight their impact on the economy, community and environment. Gareth Marshall is the ReUse Aotearoa collective chairperson, he's also The Salvation Army Family Store's National Manager, he chats to Jesse.

Sticking with strange occurrings .. residents of an Auckland suburb had an unwelcome surprise this week when a large sinkhole appeared in a their street. The area in St Marys Bay had been badly damaged in the 2023 Auckland anniversary weekend floods and has been covered by a steel plate since then. But it got us thinking - what exactly is a sinkhole? what causes them and how can you fix them? Dr Sally Dellow is an engineering geologist with Earth Sciences New Zealand, she joins Jesse to answer those questions and more.