Afternoons for Wednesday 28 January 2026

 

1:15 Political Polls - Are they worth the hype?

There's Verian, Reid Research, Ipsos, Curia, all of which survey Kiwis to - theoretically - give a sense of how we're feeling about the parties and politicians. 

But, how much do we really know about these polls? 

How are they conducted, are they trustworthy, and are they really indicative of how New Zealanders feel about their political options? 

Dr Nicole Satherley is a senior researcher at iNZight Analytics, and in 2023 she co-authored the paper 'Understanding Public Opinion Polling in Aotearoa New Zealand'. 

1:20 Why the new Waikato Regional Theatre is creating a buzz 

Over the weekend a brand-new theater opened on Hamilton's Victoria street, it kicked off with an opening show from Teeks on Friday and spent the weekend hosting Dave Dobbyn.

The Waikato Regional Theatre is the long-anticipated replacement to Founders Theater, which closed almost a decade ago. But unlike Founders Theatre, it is right in the CBD.

Graeme Ward was the project lead on the new theater and has been involved from the start. He speaks to Jesse.

1:30 Over your job? Find out why it's never too late to change careers

Most of us have been back at work for a couple of weeks now and some of you might be realising your job is no longer sparking joy. 

In fact, according to our next guest, three quarters of us would change careers if we felt we could. It's easy to come up with reasons not to take the plunge - but what about reasons to just do it?

Career coach and head of the Career Development Association Jennie Miller joins Jesse to discuss. 

1:45 Heading Off: Let's go to the US of A!

It's time for Heading Of, our chance to travel to places from the comfort of our homes. This week we are off to the United States with Nick Robinson, who late last year did a road trip around the South, covering 7 states in 2 weeks.

2.12 Music Critic: Lucina Willams' new album 'World's Gone Wrong'.

We're changing up this segment a little bit this year and our critics will be reviewing full albums. 

So, if there's an album dropping soon that you're looking forward to, let us know and we'll see if we can get their reckons. 

Today Jesse is joined by Dianne Swann who's looking at the latest release from American folk-country staple Lucinda Williams, 'World's Gone Wrong.'

2:20 Easy Eats: Kelly Gibney's Green Tart

Kelly Gibney is back with her first Easy Eats recipe for 2026.

The recipe is here!

A few shortcuts like store-bought pastry and frozen spinach make this beautiful tart come together quickly on a weeknight. Parmesan, lemon zest and plenty of fresh basil make the filling super fresh and fragrant. Serve with a big green salad and lemony olive oil dressing for a lovely dinner or bring along to shared meals and picnics. It's delicious warm or cold. Don’t skip the pine nuts. They add a tasty, toasty flavour and the texture is fantastic.

2:30 Bookmarks with Hone Kouka

It’s time for Bookmarks, and today we're joined by celebrated playwright and director Hone Kouka

A special 30th anniversary production of his play 'Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland' returns to the stage this March with the Auckland Theatre Company

Hone Kouka joins Jesse from our Wellington studio to share his picks of what to watch, read and listen to. 

His picks:

Books One Hundred Years of Solitude Marquez.

Pōtiki Patricia Grace.

Any novel by Haruki Murakami.

Voss Patrick White.

Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller

Music:

Geese / Cameron Winter Crusades.

Bailter Space X.

Taua MĀ. 

I Want Your Love Chic.

Freddie Freeloader Miles Davis. 

I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man Prince

Films: 

One Battle After Another. 

Anything by Akira Kurosawa. 

Finding Forrester. 

Ngāti. 

Wings of Desire

Paris Texas

Podcasts:

Economics for Rebels.

Thinking Basketball.

Cric info Stump Mic

 

3:10 Feature interview: The often-unseen cost of fame

 Singer-songwriter Katie Waissel shot to fame on The X Factor in 2010, the same season that launched One Direction. Since then, she’s spoken candidly about abuse, exploitation, and what she believes is the industry’s failure to protect young artists. Now an outspoken advocate for artists’ rights, she's involved in O-W-H-L, a group pushing the industry to take real responsibility for the people it profits from. 

3:35 The Kākāpo Files are Back!!

The Kākāpo Files podcast is back with what is set to be the biggest breeding season of all time for our favourite parrot. To listen to the full episode head here. If you're keen to watch the Kākāpo Cam, which is livestreaming from the nest of Rakiura the kākāpo, 24 hours a day, hit this link. The Kākāpo Files and Our Changing World will be back every Wednesday here on Afternoons, but from next week, they'll be at the new time of 1:45.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.