Afternoons

 

1:10 On the up! Reaction to the latest tourism numbers 

We're going to start the show with some good news because the latest visitor stats are out and it's looking positive for Kiwi tourist operators.

Stats NZ says overseas visitor arrivals were 3.45 million in the October 2025 year, that's an increase of 205,000 from a year before.

To discuss what's driving this growth, Jesse is joined by Tourism Industry Aotearoa's Rebecca Ingram.

1:15 Game On! What is going on with NZ sport and governance?

A power struggle looks to be brewing at NZ Cricket over the future of the domestic game.

NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink is understood to be taking a break from his day-to-day duties, ahead of talks about his future in the role.

But cricket isn't the only national sport where rumours are swirling, Netball NZ also seems to be in disarray.

Publisher of the Bounce Substack newsletter, Dylan Cleaver joins Jesse to discuss.

1:25 Why this "everyday Kiwi" was awarded NDF's Civilian of the Year. 

This year it's gone to Mark Taylor. 

Mark has contributed to the Navy for more than 35 years as both a uniformed official and as a civilian. 

He joins Jesse to tell us more about his life and work. 

1:35 How we could make the Tank Farm in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter into a public space. 

A few years ago, plans to regenerate and restore Wynyard Quarter on Tāmaki Makaurau's waterfront were announced. 

But one of the issues in turning it into an open public space is the soil, which is contaminated. 

Now, University of Auckland graduate Marissa Porteous has come up with a clever solution that's even won her an award. 

1:45 Heading Off to The Great Wall of China

Our chance to travel to places others have explored - this week we are off to China. 

Jansje Strydom is a youth social worker for Barnardo's Aotearoa, and she recently took on the Great Wall as part of the Brighter Future’s Challenge. 

2:12 Music Critic: Ladi6 with Nightmares on Wax

Music critic Rachel Ashby shares some new music:

Nightmares on Wax - feat Ladi6 'Holding On'

Martin Sagadin (CHC) 'Daj Mi Bog Sreče'

2:20 Easy Eats: Barbequed courgette and sweetcorn salad with basil yoghurt dressing

Each week on a Wednesday Kelly Gibney shares a recipe that is delicious and nutritious without being too demanding on time. Today's salad celebrates all the summer produce favourites.

Recipe is here

2:30 Bookmarks with Cameron Rhodes

Time for bookmarks, where we get interesting people to share their picks of books, music, films and anything else that takes their fancy. 

Today I'm joined by one of our most prolific actors, Cameron Rhodes

He's appeared in over 100 stage productions, films like Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia, and a ton of TV shows too, Brokenwood Mysteries, The Luminaries, and most recently Spartacus: House of Ashur.

3:10 Feature: Why doing less could be the answer to better parenting

  As the school holidays approach along with the idea of having to entertain kids during the break, Dr Camilo Oritz has one piece of advice. Relax. The secret to parenting, he says, is to do less. Dr Ortiz is a leading voice in child psychology and mental health.  He’s developed what he calls Independence Therapy, an approach that helps kids become braver, stronger, and more resilient by doing things for themselves and encouraging kids to face the situations that make them anxious instead of steering around them. It also comes with a challenge for parents because sometimes, he says, the best way to support your child is to step back, not step in.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Time now for our regular catch up with Claire Concannon for Our Changing World.  
And this week, she’s got a story from RNZ journalist Veronika Meduna, about restoration efforts in Porirua Harbour.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.