Afternoons for Friday 24 May 2024

 

1:15 New research on mask wearing prompts calls for a public health update

Masks became part of everyday life not so long ago and love them or hate them the public health messaging was all about wearing them to help prevent the spread of COVID 19.

Nowadays it's not often that masks are still used, but new research on that might change that.

An international team of researchers has undertaken the most extensive review of masks so far. Among them was our very own Professor Michael Baker, of the Department of Public Health at Otago University in Wellington.

Michael speaks to Jesse.

1:25 Freshwater champions celebrated in Wellington

People who've dedicated themselves to improving and protecting our water quality and environment were celebrated at the Freshwater Champions Aotearoa awards ceremony at Te Papa in Wellington.

The ceremony was held yesterday.

Cawthron Institute has run the awards for over a decade, previously known as the the National River Awards.

This year there were more than 50 nominations from across New Zealand in consideration for the accolades. The judges had to choose five winners.

One of those is the Burke Family who run Pukekauri Farms at Katikati in the Bay of Plenty.

Over more than two decades they've taken what was considered the most environmentally degraded farm in the Western Bay of Plenty, and turned it around.

Assessors described them as "genuine trailblazers". John Burke from the Burke family speaks to Jesse.  

1:35 Country Music Honours premiere event in Gore tonight

Country music fans will be celebrating tonight with the Country Music Honours taking place tonight.

The much-anticipated premiere event is set to take place at the Gore SBS St James Theatre.

At the event he finalists for the MLT Songwriting Award and APRA Best Country Music Song Award will be revealed, with some of those artists also there to perform for the event.

As an added treat for country music fans, the original queen of country in Aotearoa,  Suzanne Prentice is performing.

1:45 Freaky Friday

Our weekly segment where we ask listeners to share their strange and spooky stories. If you have a spooky tale to share, email afternoons@rnz.co.nz or text 2101 with the details.

This week we hear from Tim who shares a lovely story about a series of coincidences connecting his family in Otago with a  great great uncle's grave in Europe 100 years he died there during World War I.

2:10 Film Review with Sam Hollis

Today Sam reviews Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Joika.

2:20 NZ Live Vera Ellen

Vera Ellen has burst on to the music scene in the 2020s making her mark from the very beginning.

Her first album 'It's Your Birthday' won her Best Alternative Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards.

And just a month ago she was awarded the prestigious Taite Music Prize for her sophomore record 'Ideal Home Noise'.

Clearly not one to rest on her laurels, just last week she released a brand-new EP titled 'heartbreak for jetlag'.

Vera Ellen performs for us today live form our Wellington studio.

3:08 Spicy coconut eggs

Today's recipe is a great warm and spicy winter dish that be the main part of the meal or a side dish.

Julie Biuso of Shared Kitchen has a great recipe that's budget friendly to share with our listeners.

You can find out how to make this delicious dish here.

3:16 Music 101: Charlotte Ryan

Charlotte Ryan, 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 Gardening with Lynda Hallinan

This week Lynda's talking all about yams!

3:35 Critter of the Week pūteketeke

This week’s critter isn’t tiny, unloved or even unattractive, but it is bizarre. 

The pūteketeke or Australasian crested grebe was crowned Bird of the Century last year thanks to an ‘alarmingly aggressive’ campaign by talk show host John Oliver. 

The pūteketeke got a whopping 290,374 votes, light years ahead of the second-place winner – the North Island brown kiwi, which got 12,904 votes. 

John Oliver chose to champion the bird because “They puke, they do a ‘weed’ dance before mating, they have great hair, and there are fewer than 1000 of them left in New Zealand!” 

3:45 The pre-Panel