Afternoons for Wednesday 5 February 2025

 

1:15 First Song: Susan O'Neill 

Up-and-coming Irish singer-songwriter Susan O'Neill arrived in the country this week ahead of her six-date headline tour. 

Known for her personal and intimate songwriting, her second album 'Now in a Minute' was released towards the end of last year. 

Susan joins Jesse live from our Christchurch studio to discuss her music and play a tune. 

1:25 The Kāpiti College student who does it all

We first spoke to Kāpiti College student Aroa Al Masri when she was selected to appear on a Korean reality TV show. 

Well, as it turns out, TV star is just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to Aroa's talents. 

She's a champion equestrian, the frontperson of the band Distill, she's performed and directed Shakespear monlogues, and played the lead role in her school musical. She's served as her school's Arts Captain and has now been named Head of Kura. Amidst all this she's travelled to Japan and Vietnam offering service, served her own community as a youth council chair on the Kapiti District Council, and still achieved NCEA with Excellence. 

Jesse speaks to Aroa today about what drives her and what may be in her future. 

1:45 Heading Off: Kāpiti Island 

Once a week Jesse heads off to a different part of the country or wider world hearing travel stories, tips, and history. 

Today he visits Kāpiti Island. One hour's drive from Wellington, it sits north-west of Paraparaumu and takes 15 minutes to reach by boat.

Max Barrett is a tour guide on the predator-free island. He speaks to Jesse today. 

2.12 Music Critic: Womb and Phoebe Rings

Afternoons music critic Rachel Ashby recommends new music by Wellington band Womb, along with a Korean version of Phoebe Rings' popular single 'January Blues'.

2:20 Easy Eats with Kelly Gibney: Spiced fish tacos with caper and dill mayo

Kelly Gibney is back with an easy and delicious food option for your enjoyment. 

These are non-traditional tacos flavours but it all works together brilliantly and is a meal that can be made quickly on a weeknight.

Find the full recipe here. 

2:30 Bookmarks with Sue Wickison

Today on Bookmarks Jesse invites one of the world's foremost botanical illustrators Sue Wickison to share her favourite things. 

Sue was born and raised in Sierra Leone where she developed a passion for natural history after joining her father on expeditions locating botanical specimens. 

Sue spent 10 years as the botanical Illustrator at the world-renowned Kew Gardens in London. She's won numerous awards over the years and even has an orchid named after her 

Sue now lives on Waiheke Island and her latest work 'Outrageous Plants' is currently being shown at Hamilton's 'Welcome Swallow Gallery'.

3:10 Checking and balancing those with executive power 

We are entering the "Rule of Don" with fewer checks on executive power in the US presidency and that's a big risk for 2025 according to Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.

Every year, he delivers his highly anticipated Top Risks report and says 2025 will be a uniquely dangerous year with very few international leaders stepping up to take the wheel and drive a global agenda and maintain international order.

Ian Bremmer shares his insights that can help us understand the most significant threats and opportunities that may unfold in the year ahead.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World