Afternoons

 

1:15 Kiwi driver Liam Lawson's future 

There’s a lot of suspense swirling around Formula 1 this week — especially for kiwi driver Liam Lawson. 

Red Bull is about to lock in its 2026 line-up, and Lawson is still waiting to find out whether he’s part of their future. 

Red Bull will make the announcement after Qatar Grand Prix this weekend, which I'm sure many New Zealanders will be watching keenly. 

RNZ Senior Sport Journalist Barry Guy joins us spoke to Jesse.

1:20 Tips on how to cool down

We're in for a hot weekend! Napiers on a heat alert, Christchurch and Hastings aren’t far behind... 

Records have already been broken for hottest November day in parts of the country this week.

It isn't just you lying wide awake, melting into the sheets - hot temperatures actually change the structure of our sleep.

Senior Lecturer at the Sleep/Wake Research Centre Dr Karyn O’Keeffe spoke to Jesse.

1:25 90-year-old attempts to break world record

Merv Grewar proves that age is no barrier. He'll be 90 when he attempts to break a rowing world record next Saturday to raise awareness and funds for Dementia Canterbury.

1:35 New Zealand researcher dubbed the "Indiana Jones of microbiology" wins medal

Jesse spoke with Matthew Stott, a recipient of one of the University of Canterbury’s 2025 Research Medals. He's been described as the “Indiana Jones of microbiology,” Stott studies extremophiles, life forms that thrive in some of the planet’s most extreme environments.

1:45 Freaky Friday

It's time for Freaky Friday, the space for all your weird, spooky, and strange experiences.

If you have one you'd like to share please reach out via text - 2101 - or you can email us, afternoons@rnz.co.nz. 

Neville in Paraparaumu joins Jesse to share his spooky tale. 

2:10 Film Review

Dominic Corry is in our Auckland studio to talk movies, and this week he's looking at:

Wake Up Dead Man - A Knives Out (new in theatres this week)

After the Hunt (Prime Video)

Die My Love (new in theatres this week). 

2:20 NZ Live: Troy Kingi

Troy Kingi joins us for NZ Live to celebrate his new album, Night Lords.

3:08 Food: Mussels with Fennel, Crème fraiche and Saffron

Martin Bosley from Yellow Brick Road shares Skye Gyngell's delicious recipe:

Mussels with Fennel, Crème fraiche and Saffron

3:16 Music 101

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: Gardening

Lynda Hallinan joins Jesse to share her gardening tips.

3:35 Critter of the Week

Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki joined Jesse to discuss the Olearia Owlet Moth.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman joins Jesse to preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.