Afternoons for Tuesday 24 February 2026

 

1:10 What does "Free Speech" actually mean to you?

New Zealand Parliament announced late last week that it will no longer post updates on the social media platform X - formerly known as Twitter. 

The move comes amid growing international backlash against the Elon Musk owned platform, after thousands of sexualised deepfake images mainly of women and children, were generated using the social media site’s AI chatbot 'Grok'

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has since criticised the decision, writing on X that "This is how freedoms are lost - by unilateral decision-making being made by moral virtue signalling - where someone seeks to do one thing but causes damage to other freedoms."

So is he right? To discuss the issue, Free Speech Union Chief Executive Jillaine Heather joins Jesse now.
 

1:20 Should you charge your adult children rent?

This could be due to the cost of living, the cost of tuition, or lack of job opportunities. 

But then the question becomes how long is too long, and is it fair to charge them rent? 

Sheridan Eketone is a coach at The Parenting Place and she joins Jesse to chat through the do's and don'ts. 

1:30 From the Bush to the Table: The Game2Give Movement

There's a movement happening in the hunting community that sees surplus wild venison turned into meals for families who need some help. 

The West Coast initiative is called Game 2 Give, and it was launched last year by the Hokitika-based food rescue service Kai Puku.

It's fair to say that since then it's really caught on - several local organisations have jumped on board to help out, and now even the Department of Conservation. 

Kai Puku lead co-ordinator Christine Barton joins Jesse. 

1:45 What is "meno-divorce" and why has the term taken off online?

"Meno-divorce" is a term that is trending on the internet right now. 

It's used to describe a divorce that coincides with women experiencing menopause.

But how did it come about and is it really fair? Author of multiple books on menopause, Niki Bezzant, chats to Jesse.

2:10 Mayoral Minutes: Waikato District's Aksel Bech

It's time for Mayoral minutes, our new segment where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they’re facing, how they’re working to solve them and what makes their community special.

This week we're heading to the Waikato District and Mayor Aksel Bech.

2:20 Book Critic: The Chronology of Water

Afternoons book critic Anna Rankin joins Jesse to talk about The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch. 

It came out in 2011, but the film version is about to be released so we're taking this opportunity to discuss the memoir.

2:30 Music feature: Why is Spanish music so hot right now?

It seems like Latin-American music is having a moment: earlier this month, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny became the first artist to win the Grammy for Album of the Year with a Spanish-language album, and of course, followed that up by headlining the Superbowl Halftime Show. 

In fact, Bad Bunny's 2022 album 'Un Verano Sin Ti' is the most streamed album on Spotify ever with almost 22 billion streams.

So today we're going to celebrate Latin-America's pop takeover. Colombia-New Zealand singer-songwriter Manuela joins Jesse. 

Here are the songs if you want to look them up! 

Ojitos Lindos (with Bomba Estéreo) – Bad Bunny

Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido – KAROL G

Mi Tierra – Gloria Estefan

LA FAMA (feat. The Weeknd) – Rosalía

Mi Gente (with Willy William) – J Balvin

Manuela also recommends Natalia Lafourcade’s NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert which you can watch here

3:10 Podcast Critic: 'Ransom Man" and "The Real Salt Path"

Afternoons podcast critic Ximena Smith joins Jesse to review 'Ransom Man' and 'The Walkers: The Real Salt Path'

3:25 You're the Judge: Can a Couple go to Different Rest Homes?

Tuesdays here on Afternoons means our regular segment 'You're the Judge', it's where we read out one of your problems and get feedback on it. 

Today's pickle is from Robyn who wants to know if it is okay for her and her husband to go to different rest homes. They are both in their seventies but in very different health. 

Let us know your thoughts on 2101. 

3:30 Feature Interview: Why Positivity Pays Off

Optimism can feel like a radical act these days. For Kevin Kelly, a positive outlook is not optional.
The co-founder and senior maverick at tech magazine Wired has long argued that our capacity to fix our problems is greater than we imagine. He makes the case for evidence-based optimism, not wishful thinking, but informed possibility, in a new podcast called Best Case Scenario.  Kelly teams up with best selling psychology and behavior author Daniel Pink to ask experts to give their best possible good news scenario in the next 25 years on the topics like transportation, energy and human health.

3:50 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's edition of The Panel.