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Critter of the Week

20 Feb 2026

The critter of the week is the newly crowned Bug of the Year 2026, the Avatar moth! This beautiful day-flying moth is only found on the Denniston Plateau, from 640 to 850m. They eat alpine marshwort found in ephemeral wetlands and enjoy basking in the sun to help regulate their body temperature. Males find females… Audio

Friday 20 February 2026

 

1:10 Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest - we take a look at the history of royal brushes with the law

Well, it's the story that's got everyone talking - former Prince Andrew was arrested on Thursday morning UK time on suspicion of misconduct in public office ... 

The arrest follows allegations that he shared confidential government material with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

He is the first senior British royal in modern history to be arrested. 

He has since been 'released under investigation' with King Charles saying in a statement that, "the law must take its course."

So, what will this mean for the monarchy moving forward?

Dr Grant Morris spoke to Jesse.

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends a Service of Thanksgiving for her late husband, Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in central London on March 29, 2022. A thanksgiving service will take place on Tuesday for Queen Elizabeth II's late husband, Prince Philip, nearly a year after his death and funeral held under coronavirus restrictions. Philip, who was married to the queen for 73 years, died on April 9 last year aged 99, following a month-long stay in hospital with a heart complaint. (Photo by RICHARD POHLE / POOL / AFP)

Photo: AFP / Pool / Richard Pohle

1:15 Why are we seeing more 'states of emergency'?

Recent severe weather and flooding have seen a huge number of 'states of emergency' declared across the country. 

In fact, there has already been more states of emergency declared in 2026 than all of last year, and we're only in February. 

So, what's behind this rise and how does the whole process work? 

John Price, Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management spoke to Jesse.

1:25 Waimarino Golf Club marks it's 100th birthday

Now we're heading to the centre of the North Island where Waimarino Golf Club is marking it's100th birthday this Easter.

At 580 metres above sea level, set against a stunning backdrop that is Mount Ruapehu - it's not hard to see why it's had enduring appeal. 

But like lots of country courses, it really has to be innovative to keep going.

Club President Aiden Gilbert joined Jesse.

Golf Generic

Photo: Photosport

 1:35 “Profound autism" diagnosis sparks debate in the autism community

A new international proposal is sparking debate in the autism community, with a diagnosis of “profound autism” now under consideration.

The proposed diagnosis would describe autistic people who have little or no functional language, an IQ below 50, and who require 24-hour supervision and care.

A new Australian study has taken a closer look at what this could mean for children and their families.

Jesse spoke with Dr Antoinette Hodge, a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in New South Wales.

1:45 Freaky Friday

Freaky Friday time!

The place for all your spooky and unexplainable stories. 

Jesse spoke to Jill, who shared a story of her encounter with a ghost in Gisborne in the early 90s. 

A collage made of bubbles with images and patterns inside them.

Photo: Unsplash

2:10 Film Review

Movie critic Dominic Corry joins Jesse in the Auckland studio to review:

Crime 101, now in cinemas, 
No Other Choice, in cinemas this week, 
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, in cinemas next week.

No caption

Photo: By Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.Reproduction Number: LC-USZ6-2067Location: NYWTS -- BIOG - The Library of Congress retrieved 3d02067r.jpg from Jailhouse Rock., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=727693

2:20 NZ Live

Today on NZ Live we're joined by Georgia Knight.

Georgia performed songs from her debut album 'Beanpole' in the RNZ Christchurch studio.

Georgia Knight is singing into a microphone and playing the autoharp. The mic cable is blue.

Photo: RNZ / Chris Wethey

3:08 Food

Peach Avocado Guacamole

Photo: Julie Buiso

Shared Kitchen's Julie Biuso joins me to talk us through this delicious twist on avocado and toast. 

Get the recipe here

3:16 Music 101: Music 101 live from Lyttelton!

Kara Rickard at the Civic.

Journalist Kara Rickard (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Koata, Tainui) has hosted RNZ's Music 101 since July 2025. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Kara Rickard host of Music 101 here on RNZ each Saturday afternoon from 1pm talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on her show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - she'll pick us a track to play.

3:25 Weekend Stuff: Is your bedroom set up stopping you sleep?

A woman wearing pyjamas and an eye mask gets up from bed stretching.

Photo: Unsplash / Getty Images

We all know how important a good night's sleep is, there is a whole industry promoting it! But have you ever considered what the environment you're sleeping in is like?

 Rachael Quin, from thehousekeeper.co.nz, is here to share tips on making sure your bedroom is sleep friendly.

3:35 Critter of the Week

Arctesthes_Avatar

Photo: iNaturalist/Brian Patrick

The critter of the week is the newly crowned Bug of the Year 2026, the Avatar moth!

This beautiful day-flying moth is only found on the Denniston Plateau, from 640 to 850m. They eat alpine marshwort found in ephemeral wetlands and enjoy basking in the sun to help regulate their body temperature. Males find females through pheromones and use their furry comb-like antenna to locate them. This year, they came first in the 2026 Bug of the Year competition, with an overwhelming 5192 votes! The Avatar moth is “Nationally Critical” under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

wallace chapman

Photo: wallace chapman