Afternoons for Wednesday 1 October 2025

 

1:15 Leaving a legacy: We look back at the life of Nigel Latta

The 58 year old author was best know as a broadcaster, clinical psychologist, and parenting expert. Helping many families to navigate life better

Including his work as an ambassador for the charity "Kenzie's gift". A charity which helps tamariki navigate serious illness and death.

To celebrate Nigel, and his amazing contribution to our society, Kenzie's Gift founder Nic Russell joins Jesse.

1:25 Are acts of kindness universal? The Kiwi setting off to find out

At the start of this year Hamilton's Herman Jagpal set himself an ambitious goal - to share 365 days of kindness. 

Each day he asks someone at random to help him with a fun task, that could be handing out flowers or inviting strangers to dinner. 

He documents the whole process on Instagram as "Daily Rejection".

Where he noticed a regular comment was "This would only work in New Zealand"

So, to see if that's true, today he sets off on a 30-day world tour.

1:35 We meet the man making the Silver Scroll Awards sing

For six decades the APRA Silver Scroll has been considered the most prestigious songwriting award in New Zealand. 

This year's event will take place at Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal on Wednesday 29 October, with artists including Marlon Williams, Aaradhna, Nadia Reid competing for the top prize. 

But someone has to run the show, and today APRA announced that singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist, and previous Silver Scroll nominee Delaney Davidson will be the musical director. 

He chats to Jesse.

1:45 Winners of The Surrey Hotel Writers Residency Announced

Steve Braunias joins Jesse to announce the winners of what he calls the strangest writers residency award in New Zealand. 

Now in its ninth year, The Surrey Hotel writers residency award celebrates writers who need a little extra support to get their literary idea off the ground.

2.12 Music Critic: Maxine Funke and Ben Chavasse

Music critic Matthew Crawley joins Jesse to share some new music from Maxine Funke - Timeless Town and Ben Chavasse - Letdown. 

2:20 Easy Eats: Corn, Green Chilli, Spinach and Cheese Fritters.

Kelly Gibney joins us with a fritter recipe that sounds delicious!

Click here to see it. 

2:30 Bookmarks with actor Rutene Spooner.

Time for bookmarks -that section of the show where we ask one interesting person to share some of their favourite things with us.

Be they music, films, TV, Podcasts, books, hopefully you'll leave with something new to check out.

Today we are joined by Actor, writer, director Rutene Spooner

He first graced our screens aged 9 as Parekura in 'Whale Rider'

From there he's starred in Musicals, Voiced Te Reo Disney characters, and written and performed his own shows.

Oh and he's also a member of the Modern Maori Quartet.  It's pretty amazing he's found time to fit us in!

3:10 Feature interview: Why you don't have to live with chronic pain

Chronic pain is one of medicine's oldest puzzles and most stubborn problems. About one in five people worldwide live with it, and don't really know why.  Dr. Sanjay Gupta says it doesn't have to be that way. A neurosurgeon, CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, and host of the podcast Chasing Life, Gupta turns his attention to pain why we experience it, what really helps, and how people can take back control. His new book is called It Doesn't Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a Pain-Free Life.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Time now for Our Changing World, and we're catching up with Claire Concannon. This week she is explaining the mystery of the disappearing sponges of Lough Hyne and what scientists have learnt from their disappearance. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.