1:15 Mapping the deep

A research team from the Ocean Exploration Trust is exploring the unknown deep sea habitats near Jarvis Island. They are aboard the EV Nautilus, which is equipped with remotely operated vehicles that will help them expand the mapping of the area. 

They're almost half way through the 25-day expedition, which began in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and will end in Pago Pago, American Samoa. 

Live from the ship is Lucy Dickie, Communications and Outreach Officer.

Exterior of the research ship EV Nautilus

Photo: Ocean Exploration Trust (OET)

1:25 A plan for rare disorders 20 years in the making

The Ministry of Health has released New Zealand's first Rare Disorders Strategy, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people living with rare disorders. About 300,000 Kiwis live with a rare disorder, and experts say a dedicated document like this will make a huge difference to their outcomes. 

Rare Disorders NZ has been working with the ministry over the past couple of years to put it together, after advocating for a strategy for over 20 years. 

Jaime Christmas is the CEO of the NZ Amyloidosis Patients Association and has personal experience with a rare disorder in her family.

Ministry of health

Ministry of health Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

1:35 Estuaries: nature's sieve for plastic

The ocean is often the first place that comes to mind when people think about where plastic ends up, but new research shows most of it is getting caught as estuaries and coastlines before it heads out to sea.

A team of Auckland University researchers used the Waitematā estuary as their testing ground to see how much plastic would be retained and were astonished by the results. Jesse chats with the study's lead, Melissa Bowen.

Tourists generate more trash in small island developing states - and 80% ends up in the ocean.

Tourists generate more trash in small island developing states - and 80% ends up in the ocean. Photo: Oleg Doroshenko/123RF

1:45 Great album:  Unbound by Bizhiki

Today's great album is Unbound by Bizhiki. It's a collaboration of three artists merging traditional Native American powow music with experimental elements. 

The artists Bon Iver along with two Ojibwe singers, Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings and Joe Rainey, blend songs sung at tribal powwow gatherings with a range of electronics. It's an incredible mix of music which includes both English and Native American lyrics. 

Unbound by Bizhiki

Photo: Unbound by Bizhiki

2:10 Music Critic: Sarah Thomson

Our music critic for this week, Sarah, talks about some of her favourite tracks of the moment. She discusses music by Aaradhna and SKILAA.

Skilaa members enjoying nature

Skilaa members enjoying nature Photo: supplied

2:30 NZ Sporting History: Sam Smoothy

Sam Smoothy is a kiwi athlete best known for shooting films & his achievements in mountain skiing. He grew up in Wanaka, taking to the snow at the age of just two.

He went on to join the Freestyle World Tour, in 2011, becoming famous in 2015 when he won the Andorra leg with what has been described as "the best competition line ever".

Jesse hears about that and Sam's latest mission: to become the first person to freestyle ski all 24 of the biggest peaks here in Aotearoa.

Sam Smothy stands on the side of a mountain. He has an ice axe in one hand and his ski's strapped to his back.

Photo: Jasper Gibson - The North Face AUSNZ

3:15 Your Money with Mary Holm 

With tax cuts looming Mary has some words of advice for what to do with that extra take-home money.

Mary Holm

Mary Holm Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

3:35 Spoken Feature BBC Witness

For the 1968 Winter Games in France, the character Shuss was chosen to bring the Olympic spirit to life. The cartoon skier was designed in one night.

The 1968 Winter Games mascot Shuss.

Photo: BBC

3:45 The pre-Panel