Books
Book Critic: children's books with twists of fate
These are all books about young people whose normal, relatable lives were ripped apart overnight due to conflict, constitutional change or violence. Audio
Waikato graphic novels getting posthumous release
Musician, artist, academic and radio personality Dean Ballinger was known as one of Kirikiriroa Hamilton's foremost creatives. Audio
John Farnham's memoir doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths
We learn how he was drugged, coerced and abused by a former manager. How he faced financial ruin many times over and how he and his wife Jill struggled to conceive children for many years.
Book review: New Stories by Owen Marshall
Harry Ricketts reviews New Stories by Owen Marshall published by Penguin Random House NZ Audio
Blue Wiggle Anthony Field on his struggle with mental health
Anthony Field is a founding member of the children's musical supergroup The Wiggles. He's the blue one - and the last of the original group of four remaining. He's just released a book - called "Out… Audio
The Richard Poems with Simon Sweetman
Simon Sweetman is a Wellington-based writer, broadcaster, podcaster and RNZ semi-regular. His new collection, The Richard Poems, is out this month, and has an accompanying soundtrack. Audio
'Māori have always insisted that they're there'
The story of Aotearoa is complicated, historian Michael Belgrave says in his new book: It's not always happy, but not always nasty either. Audio
Patrick Ness: 'Don't waste time on boring books'
The award-winning YA writer will visit NZ this month for the Verb Readers and Writer Festival and the Auckland Writers Festival Audio
Book review: Kataraina by Becky Manawatu
Emma Hislop reviews Kataraina by Becky Manawatu published by Makaro Press Audio
Book Critic: the best young adult novel ever
Claire Mabey discusses her pick from the Booker shortlist; previews author Patrick Ness' visit to New Zealand and enthuses about The Changeover by legend Margaret Mahy and it's 40-year anniversary. Audio
Book review: The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich
Anne Else reviews The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich published by Hachette Audio
Wellington artist Daniel Vernon previews new comic collection
Daniel joins Susana to discuss what inspired his new collection of comics based around classic Kiwi scenes. Audio
Force of Nature: New book celebrates Forest & Bird centenary
The book highlights the stories of those who got their hands dirty during the conservation movement's early days. Audio
What can dogs teach us about loving life?
Philosopher Mark Rowlands argues a dog's capacity for joy and meaning can help us better understand ourselves. Audio
NZ author on finding humour in hard family situations
Coming out to family can be really difficult, but what happens when it results in someone being disowned? Audio
Olivia Spooner: The Songbirds of Florence
Olivia Spooner joins us to talk about her new historical fiction The Songbirds of Florence, based on New Zealand Women's Auxiliary Army Corps welfare workers - known as "the Tuis". Audio
A cookbook for being 'intelligently lazy' in the kitchen
Margo and Rosa Flanagan - known as Two Raw Sisters - have a new cookbook which they say is all about saving people time and money. Audio
Dr Hinemoa Elder: How Māori proverbs can support children's wellbeing
Over nearly 20 years as a child psychiatrist, Dr Hinemoa Elder has witnessed first-hand how connection with culture can help Māori youth navigate and heal from challenges. Audio
Writer's long Covid inspires dark, comic novel
For Kate Weinberg, long Covid felt like a "full body poisoning". Writing her latest novel helped her recover. Audio
Long-lost story by author of Dracula rediscovered 130 years later
Irish clinical pharmacist Brian Cleary found the story, Gibbet Hill, pressed in a newspaper supplement from the Christmas of 1890. Audio
