Afternoons

There's no doubt that Rocket Lab is a Kiwi success story, but do the dizzying heights of their technical achievements keep us from asking important questions about how they operate? That's what astronomer Dr Ian Griffin asked in an opinion article for the Otago Daily Times today. The catalyst for it was a social media post Rocket Lab put out last week, saying quote, "The Space Force called, and we launched." According to Rocket Lab, it was less than 17 hours between receiving a request from the US Space Force and launching a payload from Mahia Peninsula. Which is incredible - but did it mean important questions weren't considered? Here to discuss is Dr Ian Griffin.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

Nicola Toki and Emile chat all things Critter of the Week! Today's critter is a freshwater flounder that looks like it's been painted with red and black flames, the black flounder, one of Aotearoa's most colourful native fish.

Tony Murrell from Murrell Gardening is with Emile to share some tips and tricks to making roses bloom.

Fridays mean food here on Afternoons. Hospitality extraordinaire and Auckland Council's Kitchen Project Manager Connie Clarkson is here with me to share a delicious recipe.

The Veils - fronted by Finn Andrews join Emile.

Afternoons critic Kate Rodger is with Emile in the Auckland studio with some school holiday films to review. Minions versus Monsters Super Girl

Sandi from Auckland shares her spooky story with Emile.

Dr Malcolm Jorgensen Macolm is from the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg Germany, and he chats to Emile.

Self-confessed cycling fanatic and Army veteran Clive Phillips joins Emile.