Afternoons for Friday 24 October 2025

 

1:15 How to make sure you get insurance payouts after wild weather events

As the wild weather subsides for most of us, attention is now turning to the clean-up job and filing insurance claims

To share some advice on how to get your claim accepted quickly, Patrick O'Meara from the Insurance Council joins Jesse.

1.18 Why Aucklanders need to be on the lookout for hornets

Now to news coming out of Auckland -Biosecurity NZ is urging people to be on the lookout for yellow legged hornets. 

Why you might ask? Well, for the first time, a yellow legged hornet queen has been discovered building a nest at a house in the suburb of Glenfield.

To find out why this is concerning, and what to do if you spot one, Jesse is joined by Lloyd Carpenter a.k.a The Waspman.

1:25 The NZ doctor providing rare fertility-saving help

Imagine being told, as a teenager, that the treatment that could save your life might also take away your chance to ever have children. 

Well, there’s one doctor in New Zealand providing a rare fertility-saving procedure to change this. 

Dr Leigh Searle helps girls who are about to start cancer treatment by removing and freezing a tiny piece of their ovary — a literal time-capsule of fertility that could one day give them the chance to have children.

1:35 The Kiwi cop at the front line of anti-poaching efforts in Africa

Trainee New Zealand police detective Amber Chauval has just returned from Nambia where she spent time with an anti-poaching unit at the Zannier Reserve.

It was her fourth trip to Africa, she’s previously worked in animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres, but this time, she wanted to be on the front lines of rhino poaching prevention.

Poaching is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and while conservation efforts have helped prevent the complete extinction of rhinos, rampant illegal hunting continues to threaten their survival.

Amber Chauval joins us now.

1:45 Freaky Friday

Yes, it's that time of the week when we dig into your strange or harrowing stories. 

Now next Friday is the 31st of October, Halloween, and we want to make sure we have the spookiest story we can find .. so, if you have a scary encounter to share do let us know - 2101 or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz. 

Today, we're joined by Kevin, whose tale is less spooky and more surreal.

2:10 Film Review: A 90s remake that's actually good?

Film critic Dominic Corry shares his picks of the flicks available to see now:

Bugonia - the new Yorgos Lanthimos black comedy starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, in theaters next week.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle - the remake of the '90s thriller, which is new on Disney+ this week.  

2:20 NZ Live: Yurt Party live in Christchurch!

Time for NZ Live and today things are bound to get groovy. 

Yurt Party are an Ōtautahi-Christchurch band who have sold out shows with their Balkan and Latin-inspired music. 

Their album '200' is out today and they're about to tour it around the country, playing 7 shows kicking off in Wellington next Friday. 

They're all set up in our Christchruch studio to give us a taste,

3:08 Food: The art of a great sandwich

Yellow Brick Road's Martin Bosley joins Jesse to share his avocado and prawn Sandwich with tahini ginger dressing. He says it's a well-mannered and truly pretty sandwich, all subtle pinks and greens. This could also be the perfect salad for a summer lunch.

Avocado and Prawn Sandwich with Tahini Ginger Dressing
Dressing
1 tbsp Tahini paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbsp ginger, peeled and grated
2 tbsp sesame oil
For the sandwich
12-16 large prawns, depending on their size, cooked, peeled and heads removed
4 slices of baguette or crusty bread
olive oil
2 avocados
1 tsp chives, chopped
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1/4 Iceberg lettuce, finely shredded

1 tbsp Japanese Shichimi Togarishi spice mix (optional)

To make the dressing:
Mix the Tahini paste and soy sauce together. Add the vinegar and sugar, stirring until it has dissolved. Whisk in the garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Mix with a little water until it is thin enough to pour over the prawns.
Cut the prawns in half lengthways and lift out the black vein that runs along their backs with the tip of a sharp knife.  
Drizzle the slices of bread with olive oil and grill until one side is golden.  
Halve the avocado, remove the stone, peel and place the flesh into a mixing bowl. Using a fork gently mash in the chives and mayonnaise.  
Spread onto the bread, top with the shredded lettuce and the prawn halves. Spoon a little of the dressing over the prawns and sprinkle with the togarishi.
*Shichimi Togarishi is made with 7 different spices, including chilli flakes, orange peel,  sesame seeds and seasweed. It can be quite spicy, depending on the brand.
 

3:16 Music 101: Find out what's happening over the weekend

Kara Rickard host of Music 101 joins Jesse to tell us what's coming up on her show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - she'll pick us a track to play.

3:25 Weekend Stuff: How to make sure you get lighting right

Interior designer Sylvia Sanford joins Jesse to talk lighting - and how to make sure you get it right in your home. 

3:35 Critter of the Week: Water Spider aka dolomedes aquaticus

The critter of the week is the water spider, Dolomedes aquaticus!  

This spider has a special affinity with water, spending most of their time near braided rivers. Dolomedes spiders are also called fishing spiders due to their unique method of capturing prey. They put their legs out in the water like a fishing line, feeling for the tell-tale vibrations of a struggling insect fallen in the water. Once they’ve honed in on their quarry, they’ll quickly pounce to subdue their target. The short velvety hairs covering their body allows them to trap air and walk across the water through surface tension or even go underwater for up to 30 mins!

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.