Here Now

Mandy Bell fled the immigration crackdown in the US with her Kiwi husband and their two children, and Sara Gibson watched from Auckland as protestors in her Minnesota hometown were killed by ICE agents. Gwen McLure speaks to them in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Creating platforms where independent writers' works can be amplified and shared, is what drives spaces like Spoor and Nowhere, some of Auckland's up and coming bookstores featuring writers from across Asia. In this episode, Blessen Tom chats with the people behind the bookstores. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It wasn't until Francesca Contaldo lived in New Zealand that she actually began to explore the realms of ancient tattoo art from her part of Italy, Puglia. In this second episode on tattooing, she joins Kadambari Raghukumar to chat about how that came to be. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Khmer connection runs deep for Cambodia-born tattooist Buntheun who joins us in this episode to talk about exploring the ritualistic art in his homeland. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Brothers Tapan and Donny Mukerji became part of the Big Buddy programme to mentor boys without father figures in their lives and found their lives changing for the better, alongside. There are currently more than 100 boys across Auckland waiting to be matched with a Big Buddy through this programme and the brothers hope more men will consider stepping forward. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for m...

Africa Day is marked in May and this year Kadambari Raghukumar is out meeting people dedicated to strengthening community wellbeing understanding of mental health. This episode features DRC born Genevieve Kayembe and Zimbabwe-born Dr Michelle Musakwa. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Every year, Kai Rotorua's kumara harvest attracts a group of volunteers keen to connect with sustainable practices and te ao Maori. This year, the harvest circle widened even further, with students from across South Asia joining the mahi on a spring day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

That moment when 'ink kisses paper' is every letterpress artist's most anticipated. In this episode, Kadambari Raghukumar revisits a Wellington printery that's been working with the craft for over 60 years. She's joined by book historian Sydney Shep, archivist and Guy Ngan's daughter Liz Ngan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In her latest work, A Chop that Breathes, printmaker Kerry Ann Lee incorporates letterpress and typographic ornaments that once belonged to artist Guy Ngan. Talking of her longstanding love for type and letterpress as a tool for exploring stories of identity, Kerry Ann Lee joins Kadambari Raghukumar in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Music, mental health and a real ‘maker’ mentality – key words in everyday life for Carlos Reigelhuapt Landreani, who is exploring new frontiers of using music therapy for mental health and treatment. There are fewer than 100 registered music therapists across New Zealand, and in this episode, the Nicaragua-born registered therapist talks about how he arrived at this relatively uncommon career choi...

Cuba has been under US trade sanctions since 1962 and the past few months have further challenged the Caribbean nation, with tightened economic blockades by America. University of Canterbury lecturer Dr Josephine Varghese and Ambassador Luis Morejon Rodriguez talk to Kadambari Raghukumar in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week, from RNZ's Country Life, Gianina Schwaneke takes us from Italy to Wellington's south coast. Growing and eating great food is central to the Cuccurullo family who've been cultivating tomatoes from seeds first sourced in Capri in the 1960's. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Booker Prize winner of 2022, Shehan Karunatilaka is in conversation with Kadambari Raghukumar about his plans after returning to New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rajni Kumar landed in New Zealand from small-town Punjab about 20 years ago with zero English and no idea what she would end up doing for work. Over the years since, she's grown her thriving seedling business from ground up – NZ Veggies, successfully navigating the landscape and language all at once. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The bombings on Iran come after weeks of negotiations between Iran and US. Iranians living in New Zealand talk to Kadambari Raghukumar about their views on the war that's killed over 1000 people so far. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Born in Japan, Mayu Tangaito traveled across the globe to join the Royal New Zealand Ballet 2012. She’s since become one of the most recognizable faces of New Zealand ballet. In this episode she talks to Kadambari Raghukumar about making a come back after injuries and becoming a mother. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Multi-instrumentalist Esmail Fathi grew up during the early years of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, when most music came under a ban. In Christchurch, today he leads the Persian traditional music ensemble Simurgh—alongside fellow multi-instrumentalist Liam Oliver. In this episode Esmail reflects on a wealth of his memories, at a time of turmoil and transition in Iran. Go to this episode on rnz.co...

Enhancing aural and oral health in New Zealand is what's been driving selector, curator and DJ GoldTooth after migrating from the UK. In this episode, GoldTooth talks to Kadambari Raghukumar about growing up as Eelam Tamil immersed in the global sounds of London. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From Rio Grande Do Sul in southern Brazil, singer and musician Henrique Morales joins Kadambari in this episode of Back to Basics - sounds that he grew up with. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Back to Basics delves into the foundational music artists grew up with, before moving to New Zealand. In this episode, Kadambari Raghukumar is in conversation with Auckland-based, Nigeria-born singer Ch!nonso. From Ijebu Pleasure club to releasing music under his own name, Ch!nonso is now an unmistakable voice in Auckland’s music scene with a style that bridges his worlds. Starting off in church c...

To wrap up the year, some of the conversations on the podcast that took us from Trinidad to Spain and Germany to Zimbabwe - some of our fave Here Now episodes from across the year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Growing up, Ankur Bassi was certain he would one day play cricket for India, and he worked hard every day to get there. But a freak injury meant it would never happen. So, Ankur found a new dream - as a coach - and a new home, too, at Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club in Wellington, New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Dalmatian community in Auckland has embedded itself in Westie Culture, but it wasn’t always so. The Dallies as they call themselves have faced considerable discrimination, bias and resistance - Phil Vine with this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A marathon in its second year brings Kiwis and Afghans together - former refugees, community members, and allies—who are crossing the finish line not just for themselves, but to keep a vital movement alive, celebrating Afghan culture one stride at a time. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Self-published children’s author and a keen student of the local Salsa Club, Argentina-born Adriana Litchfield joins Justine Murray to talk about her culture and creative outlets in a new community. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details