Rnz: Afternoons With Jesse Mulligan

This week for Heading Off we're visiting Blue Duck Station near Whanganui National Park. It's been recommended by some non-bird watching types as a place to go, if not just for seeing the blue ducks. To tell us more we're joined by Blue Duck Station owner Dan Steele.

David Fane has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer's Residency.  David speaks to Charlotte.

The historic Ponsonby Library and neighbouring gymnasium and community space, known as the Ley's Institute is one of those affected by the councils decision to stop seismic upgrade spending.

A new report from Rewiring Aotearoa explores the benefits of electrifying our farms. They say it's an exciting time for farms and rural communities to reduce their costs, diversify their income.

Each week Katy Gosset presents a new episode of Thrift - RNZ's new podcast that's helping you make the most of your money. This week is all about hints to cut your winter power bill.

"Eat hearty, my friends. Winter is coming."  Amateur chef and self-confessed fantasy literature fan, Chelsea Monroe-Cassel makes it possible to eat like they do in Westeros. She recreates food from fiction like the Game of Thrones.

Brad Foster reports on the search for a mum and newborn baby in Sydney after evidence of a birth on the banks of a river in Sydney's south west were found by a man walking in the area late on Monday. He also reports on a nationwide initiative by a radio personality and filmmaker to increase the age of social media use by teenagers from 13 to 16 to reduce what they describe as "an anxious generation". He also talks film and footy.

Today Pip talks to Jesse about the books she's loved over time. She reviews, Marrow & Other Stories by Sloane Hong, Panthers and the Museum of Fire by Jen Craig and Mrs S. by K. Patrick.

Today's new money tip Tuesday feature kicks off with a look at travel insurance, getting the best deal, the fine print of what you're covered for and the loopholes to be aware of. Rebecca Styles from Consumer NZ is with Jesse to talk through the topic.

Victoria Campbell is an advocate for Maori astronomy and the natural world, she's also spearheading research into South Island Maori astronomy through her work with Tuhura Otago Museum. She's talks to Jesse.

Tomorrow the World Skate Oceania Artistic Championships and Pacific Cup are kicking off in New Plymouth. Assistant team coach Macarena Carrascosa will be there.

Zealandia and Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika have begun releasing freshwater bully into the Wellington ecosanctuary after collecting them using a traditional method.

How would you commit a perfect murder? It's a question New Zealand's leading forensic pathologist gets asked a lot.

Today's expert is all about falconry - That's the art of using a bird of prey for hunting.

NZSIP make a specific kind of insulated panel - structural insulated ones called Smart Panels. For Made in NZ today we head to Central Otago to chat to James Clarke the General Manager/Director NZSIP.

Today Brooks Alexander talks to Jesse about House of the Dragon, Interview with the Vampire, The Boys and The Acolyte.

We've all experienced those moments in life when we feel totally overwhelmed. Well, a breathing tool designed right here in Aotearoa is made to help in those moments Julia Wikeepa is the founder of Hā Habit!

New Zealand universities are under increasing pressure, there's financial constraints, the post-COVID hangover, and staff layoffs. In response the government's appointment of a University Advisory Group to consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector.

For many years now the after life batteries from electric vehicles have been a thorn in the side environmentally friendly image of those EVs. Now it's hoped that those batteries, no longer fit for purpose in electric cars, can be deployed to help serve as electricity distribution centres, charging cars but also acting as generators not dependent on fossil fuels. A prototype's been set up in Mercer, just south of Auckland by Counties Energy, it's known the Berm Battery - even though it's not technically sitting on the berm at the Mercer service centre. Moonis Vegdani is Counties Energy's chief strategy and transformation officer talks to Jesse.

This week's critter is the ro, also known as the smooth stick insect, whe or Clitarchus hookeri - our most common native stick insect. Smooth stick insects have a range of superpowers: as well as actually looking like sticks, the females can reproduce without males. Their offspring will also be female and will also be able to reproduce solo.