Latest audio from RNZ National

On this week's Nashville Babylon there's blues from Big Maybelle, classic ska from Prince Buster, soul courtesy of Wilson Pickett, plus a brand new track from the Altons. Audio

Manuel Bundy, born Manuel Matisi, is a prominent DJ based in Auckland, New Zealand. He has held residencies at notable Auckland venues such as Shortland Bar, Cause Celebre, and Khuja Lounge. Bundy is… Audio

Sola Rosa is celebrating 25 years with a beautiful new EP. The EP New Tomorrows brings in local legends like Julien Dyne, Finn Scholes, and Ben White, plus emerging talents like Melbourne's Akosia and… Audio

Musicologist Jada Watson is known for her work on the marginalisation of female artists in the country music industry. She joins Music 101 to give us the latest stats on how women artists are doing on… Audio

American-born, Auckland-based singer-songwriter Reb Fountain has a new album just out, How Love Bends. On the eve of its release, she spoke to Nick Bollinger for Music 101 about some of the trials and… Audio

Te Ahurei Toi o Tamaki will run until March 23 and Kaihautu Maori Ata Papa gives an overview of what's coming up including singer Maisey Rika and Nga Whakamaoritanga, a translation of an Irish play… Audio

Betty Anne Monga from Ardijah talks to Julian Wilcox about the dance party in Aotea Square at the start of the Auckland Arts Festival but also a long musical career that includes the classic hits… Audio

The 13th Hawkes Bay Food and Wine Classic festival is set to get stomachs rumbling with the inaugural Hastings Meatball Festival.  Audio

The Scottish Ballet is sharing the stage with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, making its first visit to the South Pacific for performances in Wellington and Auckland.  Audio

From Polynesian navigators to contemporary business, Mana Moana documents the remarkable story of Maori fishing.  Audio, Gallery

Autumn is a season of fruitfulness - but it's also the season for blights, mildew, rust, shield bugs and passion vine hoppers.  Audio

Malia Johnston is a renowned director and creative. Her latest work Belle - A Performance of Air is a mesmerising melding of lights, aerial performance and theatre at the Auckland Arts Festival this… Audio

Beloved Kiwi indie rock band The Beths are set to headline the main stage at WOMAD next weekend, ahead of their upcoming Australian tour.  Audio

This weekend, Pasifika Festival returns to Auckland's Western Springs park in all its vibrancy. Mihi speaks with RNZ Pacific reporter Coco Lance who's there for the whole event. Audio

World leaders have started to pick up the pieces after a trade war started by the US, and a shock showdown in the Oval Office between Zelensky and Trump.  Audio

Following a sell-out West End run and UK tour, Ruby Wax's critically acclaimed show I'm Not As Well As I Thought I Was is coming to New Zealand in April. Based on her bestselling book, Ruby shares her… Audio

Prize-winning nature writer Andrew Darby takes us on an island odyssey to discover the world's oldest surviving trees in his latest book The Ancients. Audio

Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning producer Nigel Marchant (Downton Abbey) is back with his latest mini-series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth starring Colin Firth leading a dogged investigation after… Audio

A waka discovered on Rekohu / Chatham Islands has been described by one expert as the most important discovery in New Zealand, possibly Polynesian archeology.  Audio, Gallery

RNZ's explainer editor Katie Kenny explains what's been happening with the new gene technology legislation, announced by Judith Collins last year. Audio

This week European leaders scrambled to respond to unprecedented moves by the new administration of US President Donald Trump.  Audio

An apology and the launch of a nationwide investigation were needed this week after a child received second degree burns from an over-heated school lunch. Audio

Hamas has rejected threats by Trump - saying it will only free hostages in return for a lasting truce. The BBC Middle East correspondent Sebastian Usher explains. Audio