Features

The Sampler - Tony Stamp reviews a cracking collection of covers from 1971 - Rosinha de Valença's A Guitar in the Foreground. Audio

Finalists in four sections - the Maioha Award, SOUNZ Contemporary Award, Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award, and Best Original Music in a Series Award - have been announced ahead of the awards night on 4 October.

The Women's World Cup being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia is showcasing the two countries to the world. But with no Oceania team having managed to qualify it's hard to see what benefits there could be for the Pacific in the wider sense.

New Zealand-adopted Fiji journalist, sports writer, national news agency reporter, anti-coup activist, media freedom advocate, storyteller and mentor Sri Krishnamurthi has died. He was just two weeks shy of his 60th birthday.

Analysis - There are suggestions that Chinese aid to some Pacific nations is making their debt situation worse.

Aunty's House has been founded as a collective focused on celebrating and uplifting the South Asian diaspora in New Zealand, and launched with its first event, the Chai Session, Jogai Bhatt reports.

Analysis: If NZ is such a great food producer, why are so many of us going hungry, or eating lower-grade food, asks food systems expert Emily King.

Classical crossover violinist David Garrett is coming to New Zealand in September as part of his Iconic tour. Video, Audio

Country Life - The paddocks on James Thompson's city-limits sheep farm are starting to look like the arrivals lounge at Christchurch Airport. Audio

To celebrate 50 years of hip hop, Sam Wicks looks back at Aotearoa's take on the art form.

Chevalier tells the incredible-but-true story of 18th-century swordsman, composer, virtuoso violinist and lover Joseph Bologne. Video, Audio

LISTEN: The NZSO with tenor Simon O'Neill on stage with symphony and songs from two of the greatest romantic composers, Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss, live at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.

Jordan Hamilton-Bicknell was the supreme winner in both categories at this year's 100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards. Audio

Mediawatch: As the election approaches, political calls to crack down on crime are echoing through our media once again. Audio

Darryl Leigh Thomson says he and the rest of Upper Hutt Posse had no idea their 1988 debut single 'E Tū' would become a cultural landmark. Video, Audio

Tony Stamp reviews the veteran MC's latest off-the-cuff gem.  Audio

Chris Barber and Bec Kay are growing a small plot of juniper berries for their sustainable spirit brand The Bond Store. Audio

WATCH - Wellington high school students speak to Checkpoint. Video, Audio

Kelly Gibney shares a deeply nourishing and decidedly simple recipe.

Jason Statham and Cliff Curtis once again wrestle with giant, prehistoric sharks in this crowd-pleasing if incoherent sequel. Video, Audio

Pacific health researchers will run a three-year clinical trial on the therapeutic benefits of kava ceremonies. Audio

Natalie Merchant's new album, Keep Your Courage, is her first collection of original material for nine years. William Dart places it in the context of her fascinating career. Audio

We're marking the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of God in this week's programme with hymns including Immaculate Mary and Ka Waiata. Audio

Tony Stamp reviews the trail-blazing electronic duo's first album in 19 years. Audio