Media Releases
Monthly highlights: November
Released at 11:01 am on 29 October 2025
Live streaming tonight
APRA Silver Scroll Awards
Watch the live stream of the prestigious annual awards for excellence in songwriting and composition as they happen at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Follow RNZ’s coverage on air and online at rnz.co.nz. The live stream will start from 8pm.
Coming soon
VIDEO SERIES | ART, CULTURE
Journey of Scent | Monday 10 November
Journey of Scent is a sensory adventure, inviting viewers into the typically heavily guarded world of perfumery through the eyes of two rebels in the scent space in Aotearoa, Nathan Taare (Ngāti Porou) and Whitney Steel (Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Ātiawa). Host Nathan Taare is a self-taught scent artist and founder of the niche perfume house OF BODY. Nathan made waves in 2023 with his unconventional scent design for Karangahape “K” Road in Auckland, which captured the nation’s attention. Co-host Whitney Steel is a perfume enthusiast with a loyal online following. She brings a great sense of humour and an expert knowledge in perfume informed by her perfume-school training in Grasse, France – the world capital of perfumery. In each episode, Nathan is tasked by Whitney with crafting a bespoke scent for a unique client including artists, Troy Kingi, acclaimed poet Tayi Tibble; award winning chef Kia Kanuta; and te reo Māori expert Dr Anaha Hini, each scent is informed by their life, memories, emotions, and taste. Journey of Scent will be launching on rnz.co.nz/video from Monday 10 November. Made with support from NZ On Air.
DOCUMENTARY | PASIFIKA, CULTURE
Myths & Maidens
Monday 3 November
Myths and Maidens is an award winning* documentary that unpacks the stereotype of the Pasifika woman. Since the 1800s the ‘hula girl’ has been used to sell the Pacific to the Western world. Alongside ideal beauty standards have come expectations of certain behaviour; peaceful, happy and non-resistant. Produced by Tikilounge Productions for Coconet TV and RNZ with support from NZ On Air. Watch at rnz.co.nz/video on Monday 3 November.
*Best Current Affairs (long) or Documentary at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards.
PODCAST | CURRENT AFFAIRS
30 with Guyon Espiner
Wednesday 5 November
RNZ’s video-led current affairs programme is back to wrap up the year with a six-episode series. Previous seasons saw Espiner interview notable people across the worlds of politics, film, technology and community activism. This season, the programme continues to focus on interesting topics with interesting people. In season 4, Espiner will talk to Youtuber, Gary Stevenson, otherwise known as “The People’s Economist”. He will also interview a highly respected historian who says today’s leaders are putting democracy in grave danger. A new episode is released every Wednesday at www.rnz.co.nz/guyon, and on RNZ’s YouTube channel with highlights posted on social media and episodes also released on podcast apps and broadcast on RNZ National.
VIDEO SERIES | ACCESSIBLE
Sight Unseen
Monday 17 November
Sight Unseen is a new series following host Ari Kerssens as he meets with a different person each episode to talk about all things blind and low vision related, and their individual experiences. The series showcases audio description, a feature that allows visually impaired people to engage with visual media by delivering an extra layer of audio that describes what’s happening on screen. Made in Association with Able, with support from NZ On Air. Launching at rnz.co.nz/video on Monday 17 November.
DOCUMENTARY | ENVIRONMENTAL
Antarctica in a Warming World
Monday 24 November
Antarctica in a Warming World plunges viewers into the heart of one of the planet’s most remote and fragile frontiers. Through compelling first-hand accounts from Antarctic scientists from Aotearoa, this short documentary reveals the concerning transformations unfolding across the Antarctic landscape. Melting ice sheets, declining sea ice, and rising temperatures signal more than just regional change — they carry stark warnings for the entire planet. As sea levels rise and ecosystems teeter, Antarctica in a Warming World uncovers how this icy wilderness is both a victim of climate change and a driver of what’s to come for our global future. Made with support from Antarctica NZ. Launching at rnz.co.nz/video on Monday 24 November.
Radio news & events
LIVE BROADCAST | RNZ CONCERT
Concert for Animals
Wednesday 5 November, 6pm-midnight
RNZ Concert presents Guy Fawkes night music specially chosen to be a gentle and enjoyable listening experience for people and their furry friends during fireworks. Listen on RNZ Concert.
LIVE EVENT | RNZ NATIONAL
10 years of Critter of the Week
Tuesday 11 November - Live event
Friday 14 November - Broadcast
In a special live Critter of the Week event celebrating 10 years of the popular segment, Jesse Mulligan will be joined by Nicola Toki CEO of Forest & Bird to chat about endangered critters and why they matter. He will also be taking questions from a live audience. The highlights will be played on Afternoons on Friday 14 November. Tune in at rnz.co.nz/afternoons and on RNZ National from 1pm and listen to Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan for information on tickets to the live event.
LIVE BROADCAST | RNZ CONCERT
Auckland Philharmonia: Schumann Cello Concerto
Thursday 13 November, 7.30pm.
Beethoven’s only full-length ballet, The Creatures of Prometheus explores the civilising power of art with engaging, sunny music. Daniel Muller-Schott, one of the world’s outstanding cellists, plays Schumann’s introspective, contemplative Concerto in A minor. And to open, Schubert’s genial overture Rosamunde, conducted by Giordano Bellincampi. Live-to-air on RNZ Concert.
LIVE BROADCAST | RNZ CONCERT
NZSO: Symphonic Dances
Thursday 20 November, 6.30pm.
Exciting British saxophonist Jess Gillam is the youngest soloist to perform at Last Night of the Proms. She has recorded arrangements of Kate Bush, David Bowie, and Björk alongside classical giants. For her NZSO debut Gillam performs one of the most exhilarating works written for saxophone - Alexander Galzunov’s Saxophone Concerto. The concert also features the world premiere of Conversation of the Lightship and the Tide by Wellington composer Tabea Squire. Live video stream from Auckland Town Hall on rnz.co.nz/concert.
LIVE BROADCST | RNZ CONCERT
Auckland Philharmonia: Mahler 3
Thursday 20 November, 7.30pm.
Music depicting nature’s awakening after a long winter rubs shoulders with the most carefree music Mahler ever wrote. The Auckland Philharmonia is joined by musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music, mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble and the women of Voices NZ, conducted by Giordano Bellincampi. Live-to-air from Auckland Town Hall on RNZ Concert, Thursday 20 November, 7.30pm.
OUTSIDE BROADCAST | RNZ NATIONAL
Music 101 at the Wellington Museum
Saturday 22 November, 1-5pm
Music 101 will be broadcasting from the Wellington Museum to celebrate the opening of the Fat Freddy's Drop 'Based On A True Story' exhibition. Listen on RNZ National.
LIVE STREAM VIDEO & BROADCAST | RNZ CONCERT
NZSO Joyce DiDonato Summer Nights
Friday 28 November, 6.30pm
American mezzo-soprano Joyce DeDonato will perform Hector Berlioz’s luminous song cycle Les nuits d’été (Summer Nights) in her first ever performances with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Gemma New will conduct the orchestra in Bruckner’s Symphony No 7. Presented by Clarissa Dunn, Live from the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington on rnz.co.nz/concert & on RNZ Concert.
Recent releases
DOCUMENTARY | PASIFIKA, CULTURE
Being Niuean
Being Niuean is an eye-opening documentary examining the impact of Niue’s constitution through the perspectives of those who have stayed, those who left, those who returned, and most importantly, those yet to come. This story unfolds not only Niuean history, but the wider Pacific dilemma of remaining under territorial administration and the pros and cons of migrant communities building new identities for generations abroad. Produced by Tikilounge Productions for Coconet TV and RNZ. Watch at rnz.co.nz/video.
PODCAST | TRUE CRIME
Nark
New true crime podcast Nark looks at the 1985 murder of prison inmate Darcy Te Hira. On 6 January 1985 Te Hira was brutally beaten to death in the kitchen of Mt Eden Prison in Auckland. Recidivist burglar Ross Appelgren was convicted of the murder - twice. The story of Appelgren’s quest to clear his name is unheard of in the history of the New Zealand Criminal Justice System. Following his murder conviction, Appelgren escaped prison and became the first murder fugitive to participate in a live talkback show. Listen now at rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms. Released three times a week and broadcast on RNZ National, Sundays at 7pm.
PODCAST | MONEY
Thrift s6
With the cost of produce on the rise, including meat, Thrift host Katy Gosset talks to a butcher about the most cost-effective cuts and learns some tips and techniques. Then, some hints for around the house: thrifty tricks to make your rental property feel like home and second-hand styling that won't cost a bomb. Katy also visits an op-shop in Dunedin that's run by and for students. Out now on rnz.co.nz/podcasts and on all podcast platforms. Also available on RNZ National - Tuesdays at 3.30pm.
ENDS
