Afternoons

According to Health NZ data, more than a quarter of couples in New Zealand will inexperience infertility ... and one in eight will require medical assistance to achieve pregnancy. But of course, treatments like IVF, or in vitro fertilization, can be costly, and there are no guarantees. That's why two years ago Jaimee Lupton founded Gingernut's Angels to help provide financial support to couples st...

It's not a stretch to say the last few years have been a really tough time to be a sheep farmer .. some farmers were earning so little from wool that it barely covered the cost of shearing. But things could be looking up. Last week's PGG Wrightson National Wool auction saw prices climb to their highest level in 15 years. So what's behind the turnaround, and is it here to stay? Rachel Shearer from...

Have we got a great story to brighten your Wednesday. Over the weekend an event called 'La La Land in Concert' was on in Sydney; that's where an audience watches the Oscar award winning film La La Land with a live orchestra and jazz band performing the soundtrack, all conducted by the film's Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz. Except this performance didn't go to plan. Here to explain what happ...

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan 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.

The job description for fathers has changed. Once upon a time, dads were expected to provide a paycheck, lay down the rules, and keep the garden tidy. Today, many men want more. Men want to be present, emotionally connected, and deeply involved in their children's lives. Kevin Maguire has spent years writing honestly about what happens when ambition, career success and old expectations collide wit...

Every Tuesday we get your help solving an issue. This week we are looking at disciplining other people's kids. Should you? Text 2101 or email us afternoons@rnz.co.nz your thoughts!

Afternoons podcast critic Linda Burgess joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to: Better Known (Ivan Wise) Homing (Matt Giberd)

Afternoons critic Anna Rankin is keen to discuss the book it seems everyone is talking about right now, The Valley, by Asher Emanuel

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 the New Plymouth in the Taranaki region from where Mayor Max Brough joins Jesse.

The parents of a young man who died in a drugs related incident are backing a law change that they believe could have saved their son Jacob's life. The Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill is currently being considered by the Health Committee, with submissions closing on Tuesday 16 June. If passed into law, this bill would legally protect those who call 111 for help. That protect...

How well do you know your grasses? We're asking because conservationists are worried some of you might be accidentally spreading a harmful pest plant. You see, invasive Pampas Grass is commonly mistaken for native Toetoe, and that's a mix up that could see the harmful weed spread through our vulnerable ecosystems. Terence Stewart, Founder and Owner of Native Restorations joins Jesse.

Big critter news out this morning, a suspected scorpion has been found in a bathroom in an Auckland home. The arachnid has since died, and MPI has collected it for further study. To find out if we should be worried, Jesse is joined by Te Papa curator of invertebrates Phil Sirvid.

We're going to start today's show talking about our nuclear policy. That's because at a forum in Singapore Defense Minister Chris Penk said it could be "helpful" to have a conversation about Nuclear Free New Zealand. He made the comments in reference to Australia's agreement to acquire three nuclear powered Virginia Class submarines from the United States. Speaking on Morning Report today Prime Mi...