Afternoons for Tuesday 8 April 2025

 

1:15 comedian Merrick Watts' idiot's guide to wine

Feel intimidated by the world of wine? Struggle to know what to order in a restaurant?  

Step in Australian radio, tv presenter, comedian and qualified wine expert, Merrick Watts.

Merrick is bringing his comedy show An Idiot's Guide To Wine to New Zealand for gigs in Auckland and Wellington next month - all part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
 

1:25 Classical music has finally gone to the dogs

Dogwatch Sanctuary Trust is a registered charity that has been finding new homes for dogs throughout Canterbury for over 40 years. 

Recently, they've found a new technique for reducing their stress, particularly the dogs who are particularly anxious. 

Alexa speakers have been placed in their kennel blocks to play classical music and other calming sounds at breakfast and bed time. 

To tell us what a difference it's made Jesse is joined by Amelia Ryman, fundraising manager for the Trust.

1:35 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards

Kara Rickards joins Jesse to talk about this year's awards, the nominees of which have just been announced. Both Kara and Jesse will be hosting the awards on the 29th of May. But for now, they'll run through the nominees and maybe even play a tune or two. 

1:45 Tech Tuesday: the latest email scams

Dan Watson, managing director talks about the latest email scams to be aware of and a new service helping people record their loved ones memories. And there's some talk about Dan's latest adventures in growing giant pumpkins.

2:10 Book Critic: three cozy, feel-good reads

Catherine Robertson has some recommendations for books to take your mind off things:

The Bookshop Detectives: Tea and Cake and Death (Penguin) by Gareth Ward & Louise Ward

Hastings: A Boy's Own Adventure (Massey University Press) by Dick Frizzell

The Tear Bottle written and published by Annemarie Jutel

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster

Brad Foster phones in form Australia to discuss how that country is dealing with Trump's tariff crackdown and a cybersecurity issue with Australian superannuation funds. 

2:30 Music feature: Black Sabbath

The pioneers of heavy metal music have sold over 70 million records and had a huge global impact.

Riccardo Ball - host of The Metal Bar - shares his love of Black Sabbath.

3:10 Feature interview: author Rumaan Alam on wealth and the ultra-rich 

It's a good time to be a billionaire.  They're richer than ever and there are more of them in the world today.   

As the ultra-wealthy push for more power and influence, the line between privilege and entitlement grows thinner. Acclaimed author Rumaan Alam considers questions about money, power and how wealth shapes ambition, morality and relationships in his novels.

3:30 Thrift

Thrift returns with a new season. Katy Gosset puts her body on the line in the name of free fitness. So many people want to do more exercise - we look at all the best ways to get moving on the cheap.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman and producer Olivia Wilson preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.