Afternoons for Wednesday 31 July 2024

1:15 Look up: Meteor showers on display 

We might be in for a treat over the next few nights - that's if the clouds keep at bay.

Two Meteor showers are expected to be visible tonight and tomorrow, all around the country.

Dr Nicholas Rattenbury is an Astrophysicist, and a Senior Lecturer at The University of Auckland Dept of Physics.

Nick gives Jesse the inside scoop on where to get the best views.

1:25 The climate change game making headlines

A workshop about climate change is the latest event to be dubbed 'a trendy night out' by the New York Times.

Climate Fresks are game based events where participants work together to solve a puzzle relating to climate change. 

The globally held events have surged in popularity in New Zealand in the wake of recent natural disasters. Coordinator of Climate Fresk New Zealand, Emily Mabin Sutton, joins Jesse.

1:35 Tax cuts are coming, what will you do with yours?

From today, new tax thresholds apply, which will reduce most people's income tax bills. Coinciding with the cuts is an independent campaign with a simple question: Will you give your tax cut to Gaza?

Just $20 a month will provide water for 28 people struggling to survive in the devastated Gaza strip. All proceeds will go to ReliefAid. 

Since November 2023, ReliefAid has been delivering life-saving aid to families in Gaza. Today, they're asking for New Zealanders to help. Campaign organiser Hayden Eastmond-Mein and ReliefAid founder and director Mike Seawright talk to Jesse.

1:45 Heading Off: Jonty Crane in Timor-Leste

Today on 'Heading Off' we're exploring one of the least visited-countries on the planet - Timor-Leste. It's had a rough history, but after gaining independence this small Southeast Asian island is keen for tourists.

Helping boost the country's tourism profile is Jonty Crane, who's been living in Timor-Leste since February.

2.12 Podcast Critic: Jemima Huston

Jemima talks about Hysterical by Wondery. It's about a mysterious illness that spreads through a school in New York. She also discusses Dangerous Memories by Tortoise which is about a holistic therapist who controls the lives of her clients through false memories. 

2:20 Easy Eats with Sam Parish: Pumped for a new take on pumpkin soup

Pumpkin soup is a comforting classic, perfect for a cosy night in - but do you find the kids end up eating more buttered bread than the soup itself?

This version takes soup up a notch with the genius addition of crispy gnocchi and halloumi. The combination of textures and flavour contrasts makes each bite even better than traditional soup.

Plus, you'll have extra soup to freeze for a quick meal another day. Sam Parish has the goods.

2:30 Bookmarks with Jason Te Kare 

Today on Bookmarks we're joined by Jason Te Kare - the Tauranga-born actor, director and playwright, who previously worked as RNZ's drama producer. 

He's currently holed up in Auckland's Silo theatre, where he's directing an upcoming performance of 'Scenes From The Climate Era', which starts it run on Friday.  

3:10 Feature interview: Chelsey Goodan

Teenage girls have a message for their parents and the rest of the world; we're smarter than you think we are. Chelsey Goodan tutors girls in their teens and she's on a mission to deliver that message from her students to the rest of the world. She says too often teenage girls feel dismissed as dramatic, mean or shallow.

After 16 years of listening to their concerns about beauty, shame, people-pleasing and friends, Goodan offers advice for parents and caregivers about what teenage girls can teach us about authenticity and what they truly need to thrive in a complicated world.

Her new book is called, UNDERESTIMATED: The Wisdom and Power of Teenage Girls

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World: A year of kākāpō at Mountain Maungatautari

It's been one year since kākāpō returned to mainland Aotearoa at the fenced Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

Claire Concannon finds out what mischief they've been up to, and what's next for the iconic parrot.

3:45 The pre-Panel