Afternoons for Monday 26 January 2026

 

1:10 Was the tragedy in Mt Maunganui really "unprecedented"?

We're starting our first show of 2026 looking at the tragic events at Mt Maunganui.

While lots of locals are still in a state of shock and sadness over the deadly landslide, for some that's turned to anger. 

A few officials have described the event as "unprecedented", but others are saying we should've seen it coming. 

Bryce Edwards, director of The Democracy Project, joins Jesse to discuss.

1.20 Why a couple of sheep farmers in Mosgiel have won an award in Wales

Right we're off to Mosgiel to talk to retired farmer Geoff Neilson. 

You see, Geoff and his wife Ailsa are the recipients of a new award from six major Welsh farming organisations.

Since the 1970s Geoff and Ailsa have hosted over a hundred young Welsh famers on their Southern sheep farm ... that effort has now been recognised with the "International Relations Award"

1.30 Are we losing the ability to think critically?

Conversations about AI seem to be everywhere, the pros, the cons, the what ifs, the why nots, the list goes on. 

On Afternoons we've spent time discussing how AI can affect learning.

On one hand it's wonderful that you can type a question into your device and get an immediate answer, on the other hand, it takes away the chance to research, to consider, some might say to actually think critically.

Are we doing ourselves, and younger people, a disservice by letting AI give us all the answers?

To discuss, Professor Deborah Brown, director of Queensland Universities 'Critical Thinking Project', joins Jesse.

1:45 The heartwarming story of a hiker and a kitten

Mustering the energy to walk the Te Araroa trail is one thing, carrying an extra load while you do it, is another feat entirely. 

But that's exactly what one British hiker has done.

Katie Evans has been on the trail since November, she was deep in the woods near the Lake Sumner stretch when she came across a little black kitten. 

Katie joins us from our Christchurch studio to tell us what happens next.

2:10 OZ Update with Brad Foster

It's an anniversary day for many in the North Island, but today also marks Australia Day so to find out what's happening in OZ to mark it, we're joined by our man on the ground Brad Foster. Brad shares this year's Australian of the Year, update on the recent spate of shark attacks and some sport!

2:20 Jesse Goes Clubbing

After two on a Monday means it's time to hit the clubs! Jesse has chatted to the Hawkes Bay Racing Lawnmower Club ... the Christchurch Quilters... Manawatu Cactus and Succulent Society among others.

If you have a club you'd like Jesse to join for the day, please get in touch .. we'd love to hear from you on afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Today, we're talking to Warren Harris from Ham Radio Club.

2.30 Expert Feature: How do our brains actually work when it comes to perception?

Time now for our expert feature - this is your chance to pick the brains of someone who knows their stuff on anything from wedding planning, space, cosmetic dentistry to dinosaurs.

Today's subject is part science part philosophy ... we're looking at perception and how our brains work. 

Do you have an inner voice? Do we all see colours the same? How do optical illusions work?

Whatever your question is, text us on 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz on the email. 

 Cognitive Neuroscientist and Auckland Uni Professor, Paul Corballis tries to answer them. 

3:10 TV Critic: The Pitt Season Two - Does it live up to the hype?

TV Critic, actor, and writer Michelle Langstone joins Jesse to discuss what's worth watching - or not - on the telly.

The Pitt - Season Two (Neon)
Frauds - TVNZ+
 

3:30 Feature Interview: What could 2026 hold?

"This is Donald Trump’s world and we’re all just living in it", so begins the annual issue of The Economist magazine’s “The World Ahead in 2026” edition. Every year, we kick off the new year talking to Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and Editor of the special issue that gives us a cheat sheet for what we might expect to see in world events. 2026 will continue to be a year of Trump shaking things up and the world trying to adjust. Standage and his team also say 2026 will also be the year of cheaper GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, peak wine consumption and possibly the end of the Commonwealth Games.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.