Afternoons for Thursday 26 November 2020

1:17 Severely run-down Wellington flat for rent described as a death trap

An advertisement for an $815 a week central Wellington flat has sparked an angry reaction from Wellington renters, who have described it as not even fit for a dog, with bedrooms more like dungeons.

The flat has four bedrooms and one bathroom - and as you can see from the images below, it is so run down and mouldy that some have described it as a death trap.

Wellington Renters United says this is one of many examples of how bad the rental situation is in the capital.

1:27 The impact of algorithms on our music choices

RNZ's Charlotte Ryan joins Karyn to discuss how streaming services' algorithms may be influencing our music choices - and changing the industry.

That follows an article in the ABC that asks whether an algorithm like Spotify's has changed what kind of music is being made altogether.

1:35 African Film Festival 2020

The African Film Festival launches tonight in Auckland.

The festival brings together 26 films from more than 27 countries across Africa, telling stories reflecting the complexity and diversity of the continent.

Boubacar Coulibaly is the founder and chair of the African Film Festival New Zealand Trust and joins us in the Auckland studio. 

1:45 Great album

This week's album is Joni Mitchell's The Hissing of the Summer Lawns which is also our Link 3 prize

2:10 Music Critic Dianne Swann

Dianne Swann talks about a new album by Steve Earle and The Dukes called J.T  - a tribute to Earle's son Justin Townes Earle who passed away on August 20th this year. 

2:20 Recipe request: Eggplant Parmigiana by Social Kitchen

Eateries all over the country have their special recipes. We've asked you what recipe you would like from your favourite cafe - and on your behalf we've invited them onto the show to share their secret.

Today we are helping out Deb who sent this email:

Hi Jesse, I've just come back from a terrific weekend in New Plymouth enjoying the gardens and the art festivals. While there we had dinner at Social Kitchen and enjoyed their fabulous food served as small and larger sharing plates. All seven of us at the dinner would like the recipe for their Eggplant Parmigiana which was so delicious. It was intriguingly crispy as well as smooth and cheesy. We can thoroughly recommend Social Kitchen as a place to eat - all their food was great!

So we got in touch with Social Kitchen and co-owner and head chef Blair Clement who is with us to share his delicious recipe for Eggplant Parmigiana

2:25 Crimes NZ: The 1991 killing of 2 year old Delcelia Witika

A warning:  this story contains graphic details of the abuse of a very young child and will not be suitable for younger listeners.

Delcelia Witika would be 32 today had she not died in 1991 in what the judge called one of the most disturbing cases of child abuse to come before the High Court.

She was just two when she was hit, burned and left alone to die as a result of peritonitis, caused by blows to her stomach which burst her appendix. Her mother, Tania Witika and stepfather Eddie Smith were sentenced to 16 year jail terms for her manslaughter. 

Former Herald journalist, David McLoughlin, recalls the horror of covering the case.

If this story brings up any issues help is available:

If anyone is in immediate danger call 111

Need to Talk? Free text or call 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor

Lifeline 0800 543 543 or free text 4357

Shakti Crisis Line 0800 742 633 - for migrant or refugee women living with family violence

Shine 0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline

3:10 Link 3

3:15 Solving the World's Problems - Rural commentator Steve Wyn-Harris

Steve Wynn Harris says farmers are often criticised for their mono-cultures but when you have a poke around, it's a lot more diverse than one might expect.

3:25 The history of controversial NZ Reserve Bank Governors​

Dr Grant Morris from Victoria University looks back at the history of New Zealand's Reserve Bank and its governors.

3:35 RNZ Eyewitness

Today, women make up at least 20 percent of the police force across a range of roles and the policing wouldn't be the same without them. But what was it like for the first intake of women to join the ranks and what were the obstacles and challenges they faced?

This week on Eyewitness, we look at the experience of Marie Storey who served as a police constable between 1943 and 1947.  

3:45 The Panel with Rajorshi Chakraborti and Jenni Giblin