Monthly highlights: December
Released at 10:18 am on 25 November 2025
Coming soon
PODCAST | ARTS & CULTURE
Orators Anonymous
Friday 12 December
Coco Solid and her crew of queer Pasifika & Māori girlies delve deep into the philosophical topics that affect them. Recorded from live the Where Fortress Gallery in Tāmaki Makaurau, Orators Anonymous is one of three arts and culture podcasts commissioned through a Creative New Zealand, NZ On Air and RNZ co-fund in response to the .
Listen at and on podcast platforms from Friday 12 December.
PODCAST SUPERFEED | MOTIVE
Motive
Tuesday 9 December
Following the success of RNZ’s latest epic true crime podcast Nark is the launch of our newest super or umbrella feed, Motive. Dedicated to all thing’s true crime, listeners can find RNZ’s previous true crime investigative series such as Conviction, The Lost, Gone Fishing, Mr Lyttle Meets Mr Big and more with episodes releasing every Tuesday on all podcast platforms. Available on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and all podcast platforms from Tuesday 9 December.
PODCAST | ENVRIONMENTAL
Kākāpo Files II
Tuesday 16 December
Hosted by former Our Changing World host Alison Ballance, Kākāpō Files is back after six years. With the international popularity of kākāpō only growing and more people applying to volunteer on the islands, it’s hoped this breeding season will be the biggest, most successful one yet. But the challenges of finding suitable habitats and the new threat of avian influenza means it’s not all smooth sailing. Launching on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and podcast platforms from Tuesday 16 December. Made in collaboration with DOC’s kākāpō recovery programme.
New Video Content for Tamariki
New content for tamariki launching on Tuesday 16 December at rnz.co.nz/video.
Bigsies and Littles
Bigsies and Littles is a new video series for tamariki based on the graphic novels by Raymond McGrath. It’s a gentle, thoughtful animated series for 4-to-7-year-olds, about two little kororā (penguins). Made with support from NZ On Air.
Music with Michal
Music with Michal is a series which includes songs, fun, and learning for preschoolers in Aotearoa and beyond. Produced by Music with Michal Studios and made with support from NZ On Air.
Radio news & other highlights
VIDEO HUB | RNZ.CO.NZ
RNZ Video hits milestone
RNZ’s recently updated video hub now contains over 100 video productions. It holds a variety of documentaries and video series covering a range of genres including, history, current affairs, arts & culture and heaps more. Viewers can watch new releases or dive deep into the back catalogue. Browse the latest series and films at rnz.co.nz/video.
RADIO SERIES | RNZ CONCERT
Fearful Symmetries
11 episodes, released weekly from Sunday 7 December, 7.30pm.
To mark a century of public radio in New Zealand, RNZ Concert reprises the series, Fearful Symmetries, in celebration of each decade of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century. In a new series, host Roger Smith and selected experts survey musical landmarks and innovative movements in the arts, including theatre, literature, visual arts, fashion and architecture. Listen on RNZ Concert from Sunday 7 December.
RADIO BROADCAST | RNZ CONCERT
The NZ Composer Sessions 2025
RNZ’s recently updated video hub now contains 100 video productions. It holds a variety of documentaries and video series covering a range of genres including, history, current affairs, arts & culture and heaps more. Viewers can watch new releases or dive deep into the back catalogue. Browse the latest series and films at rnz.co.nz/video.
OUTSIDE BROADCAST | RNZ NATIONAL
The Panel – Live event
Tuesday 9 December, 6-7pm.
The Panel will be broadcasting from Revelry in Auckland for a special ‘back benches’ style event. Hosted & moderated by Wallace Chapman, panellists will include Heather Roy, Holly Bennett, Phil Goff and journalist Simon Wilson. In the audience and matching wits with the panellists will be Jordan Williams (Taxpayers Union) and Sarah Helm (New Zealand Drug Foundation).
Out now
VIDEO SERIES | ARTS & CULTURE
Journey of Scent
Journey of Scent is a sensory adventure, inviting viewers into the heavily guarded world of perfumery through the eyes of two rebels in the scent space in Aotearoa, Nathan Taare (Ngāti Porou) and Whitney Steel (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Ātiawa). In each episode, Nathan is tasked by Whitney with crafting a bespoke scent for a unique client including artists, Troy Kingi, acclaimed poet Tayi Tibble; award winning chef Kia Kanuta; and te reo Māori expert Dr Anaha Hini, each scent is informed by their life, memories, emotions, and taste. Watch now at rnz.co.nz/video. Made with support from NZ On Air.
VIDEO SERIES | ACCESSIBLE
Sight Unseen
Sight Unseen is a new series following host Ari Kerssens as he meets with a different person each episode to talk about all things blind and low vision related, and their individual experiences. The series showcases audio description, a feature that allows visually impaired people to engage with visual media by delivering an extra layer of audio that describes what’s happening on screen. Made in Association with Able, with support from NZ On Air. Watch now at rnz.co.nz/video.
DOCUMENTARY | PASIFIKA
Myths & Maidens
Myths & Maidens unpacks the stereotype of the Pasifika woman. Since the 1800s the ‘hula girl’ has been used to sell the Pacific to the Western world. Alongside ideal beauty standards have come expectations of certain behaviour; peaceful, happy and non-resistant. Produced by Tikilounge Productions, made with support from NZ On Air. Watch now at rnz.co.nz/video.
ENDS