COTW merch for 2026

Photo: Joyya

This is your chance to show off your favourite critter. Orders close at the end of September, with delivery beginning in mid-November. Remember to measure your size because this is all about pre-ordering to fit.

Click HERE to get shopping!

$5 from every product goes straight to local conservation heroes – last year we raised around $4,500 which was donated to six organisations. Our total funds raised to date is $41,280!

Thanks so much to Giselle Clarkson for the beautiful design and our friends at Joyya for helping make this happen.

COTW merch for 2026

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Photo: Joyya

1:15 Stopping Cheating: How teachers are trying to keep up with technology

Grant Morris

Grant Morris
Photo: Supplied

We’re starting the show talking about cheating and technology, that’s after a University of Auckland student has been caught wearing smart glasses in a test.

The glasses feature a camera, and the ability to connect with the internet. For teachers and professors, this presents a whole new battleground in the war on cheating.

Friend of the show and Associate Professor of Law at Victoria University Dr. Grant Morris joins us to discuss.

1:25 What El Niño conditions could mean for tropical fruit growers

A large bunch of unripe Goldfinger bananas hangs from a banana plant in a lush Northland garden. The bright green fruit grows in dense clusters above a deep purple banana flower, with a second smaller bunch visible nearby. Broad banana leaves frame the scene, while native-looking vegetation and trees fill the background, highlighting the subtropical growing conditions of northern New Zealand.

A Goldfinger banana grown by Northland banana and pineapple wholesaler Tallyman Bananas.
Photo: Tallyman Bananas

The imminent El Niño weather system could be the strongest in decades, the UN has warned today. 

 It’s likely to mean drier, hotter and windier spring conditions for much of New Zealand.

Conditions which our next guest says could result in a ripe time for tropical fruit growers.

Aaron Millar owns Tallyman Bananas – a Banana and pineapple wholesaler – based in Northland. 

1:35 Breaking the silence on Motherhood Regret

Motherhood regret is not the same as postnatal depression or other postnatal mental health conditions, experts say.

Motherhood regret is not the same as postnatal depression or other postnatal mental health conditions, experts say.
Photo: Unsplash

For some women, motherhood can be very different to what they expected.  

Many say that there is an expectation life will be fulfilled with the arrival of a new baby, but for a lot of mothers, the reality is very different.

Ella Reed, sociologist at Monash University researches maternal regret. 

She says social media hasn’t helped – and lots of content promotes woman as goddess types who can give and give. 

1:45 Freaky Friday

A collage made of bubbles with images and patterns inside them.

Photo: Unsplash

This is your chance to share those stories that can’t quite be explained.

We’re talking ghosts .. premonitions, the spooky .. the weird.

If you have a story to tell then get in touch on 2101 or Jesse@rnz.co.nz

2:10 Film Review: Lomu and Breaking Badly

The new 'Lomu' documentary tells the life story of rugby super star Jonah Lomu through the eyes of family, friends and closest colleagues.

The new ‘Lomu’ documentary tells the life story of rugby super star Jonah Lomu through the eyes of family, friends and closest colleagues.
Photo: Supplied / Lomu Documentary

Afternoons critic Kate Rodger is with Jesse to share what she’s been watching – Lomu (in cinemas) and Untold: Raygun Breaking Badly (Netflix)

2:20 NZ Live: Hina is in our Auckland Studio!

Amy is wearing a black leotard and standing against a green wall. to her right is a big window which she is gazing out of. In her left hand she is holsing a very leafy bunch of red roses.

HINA
Photo: Ebony Lamb Photography

Time for NZ Live, your weekly showcase of the country’s best musicians

Today Jesse is joined in our live music studio by Amy Boroevich and band, better known as HINA

Her debut album  ‘Descending Dreams’  was released at the end of July. It went on to peak at #4 on the Aotearoa Albums chart.

3:08 Food: Lemon & Almond Shortbread Slice

Lemon & Almond Shortbread Slice.

Lemon & Almond Shortbread Slice.
Photo: Olivia Galletly

Olivia Galletly, also known as The Hungry Cook, joins Jesse to share a yummy sounding slice.

With an abundance of lemons growing in gardens at this time of year, and this slice is a delicious way to use a few up. The almonds add a lovely rich, nutty flavour to the shortbread, which pairs fantastically with the zingy lemon top. It’s great for school lunchboxes or alongside a cup of tea but add a dollop of yoghurt and it makes for a lovely and simple dessert.

Click HERE for the recipe

3:16 Country Life: What’s on the show this weekend

About a dozen helpers turned out for this year's picking event.

About a dozen helpers turned out for this year’s picking event.
Photo: RNZ / Gianina Schwanecke

Anisha Satya from Country Life joins Jesse to let us know about their show this weekend. 

Country Life is the RNZ show that puts the spotlight on rural New Zealand and shares the stories from rural New Zealanders.

It’s on air tonight at 7pm and again tomorrow morning at 7am and of course always on rnz.co.nz.

3:25 Weekend Stuff: Keeping your home clean when you have pets

Pets in New Zealand.

Pets in New Zealand.
Photo: Unsplash

As most people will know, adopting a greyhound has been making a lot of news of late.

Rachael Quin is once again a pet owner – Stevie our greyhound has been with her for 3 weeks 

Pets bring into the house quite a bit of dust and dander. And fleas and worms and mud and maybe critters too. Not to mention the hair!! The Housekeeper’s Rachael Quin talks to Jesse about how to keep your home hygienic and not too smelly if you have a pet or several pets.

3:35 Critter of the Week: Mātuhituhi – Stead’s bush wren

Stead's Bush Wren

Photo:

A tiny (extinct) bush wren and a cautionary tale as the Bird of the Year kicks off today. The Stead’s bush wren is a symbol of how vulnerable our small ground dwelling birds are, and how crucial island biosecurity and predator control continue to be in NZ. The story of this wee wren helped shape our modern conservation practice and is a poignant reminder of what’s at stake for our wildlife.

 

3:45 The pre-Panel : Your daily dose of stuff and nonsense

Jesse Mulligan and Wallace Chapman

Photo: Sophie Baird

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what’s on The Panel tonight. 

Jesse Mulligan and Wallace Chapman

Photo: Sophie Baird