Afternoons for Thursday 27 March 2025

1:10 The enduring appeal of Jane Austen

This year might mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, but her work still resonates and inspires.

Austen's classic novels have been adapted for screen and stage, both faithfully reproduced and made over for the modern age. 

If you google her today, you'll find everything from BBC posts on Tik Tok to 'Taylor Swift themed' music videos on Instagram, celebrating her life and work.

So, what is it about this woman who lived so quietly in her own time but found a voice for the ages through her written word?

Frances Duncan is a self-confessed Austenite and founder of the Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zealand.
 

1:20 The next big thing in geothermal energy

Could harnessing supercritical geothermal energy be the answer to rising energy prices?

Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones met with mana whenua from around the Taupō Volcanic Zone last week to discuss the potential benefits of accessing supercritical geothermal energy in the region 

Dr Isabelle Chambefort Energy Futures Theme Leader at GNS explains to Jese exactly what supercritical geothermal energy is and what it means for the country. 

1:35 The Lizard Catcher

Have you ever tried to catch a lizard? Or perhaps you're wondering why anyone would want to?

It turns out there is a need and it is a skill.

Lily Tidwell is a lizard catcher extraordinaire and joins Jesse talk about her amazing job.

1:45 Great Album: It's A Shame About Ray

Today's great album and Link 3 Prize is the seminal It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads. 

Released in June 1992, the album it's argued, had a considerable impact in the early 90s. 

As an almost perfect collection of pop songs it caught the wild, carefree yet intense nature of being a teenager at the time.

The title track was created by band leader Evan Dando after seeing a newspaper story a refrence to a kid called Ray who was constantly getting expelled from every school he went to.

 We've got a reissued vinyl copy of the 30th aniversary edition to give away. It comes with a download link full of extras and demos you can explore to your hearts content.  

2.12 Podcast Critic: The White Lotus Official Podcast and Lucky Boy

Podcasts are lovely lollies for the ear. Ximena has some tasty recommendations including the new companion podcast for the latest season of HBO's 'The White Lotus' and Lucky Boy, a new 4-part podcast series from Tortoise Media that looks at a story of sexual abuse from 35 years ago, involving a 14-year-old boy,

2:30 NZ Sporting History:  Noel Harris

The sport of horse racing has been Noel Harris' whole life. His father Jock was a Manawatū jockey and horse trainer, who won more than 350 races. 

Following in his father's footsteps, Noel rode his first winner at Foxton on 16 May 1970 and by the time he retired from racing in 2015, had ridden over two-thousand winners in New Zealand. 

He also won the jockeys' premiership in both New Zealand and Singapore. 

In 2018, Harris was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame...and earlier this year was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the thoroughbred racing industry.

These days, Harris lives in Mount Maunganui and is a mentor for apprentice jockeys. 

3:10 Your Money with Mary Holm

Today Mary looks at ways to get wise with your mortgage including repayment advice and explainers on all the different types of mortgages.

3:35 BBC Witness History

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman and producer Tom Riste-Smith joins Jesse to preview tonight's episode of The Panel.