Rnz: Afternoons With Jesse Mulligan

Crime novels are generally a hit with readers of all ages, but right now the genre is especially popular with young adult readers. Auckland Grammar School's Director of Library and 'The School Book Wizard' Catherine Ross shares her recommendations. For Ages 10+ Danger Road By A.L. Tait Published in 2025 For Ages 12+ Medici Heist By Caitlin Schneiderhan Published in 2024 For Ages 12/13+ The Champions By Kara Thomas Published in 2024 For Ages 14+ When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole (Aotearoa New Zealand) By Geoff Parkes Published in 2025

Elliot Childs shares his listening picks: David Farrier's Flightless Birds States of Independence Both available wherever you get your podcasts!

We're long past the days when being an influencer needs to be explained. In fact now it seems there's an influencer for everything, including, aquaculture or fish farming. James Sibley's mission is to showcase innovation and counter misinformation on fish farming. James is in the country to speak at the Aquaculture NZ Conference this week.

Ray Walter was a lighthouse keeper from 1957 through to the mid 80s. During that time, he worked at 8 different lighthouses, including two stints at the notorious, remote, and incredibly dangerous Puysegur Point within Fiordland National Park. His final posting was to Auckland's Tiritiri Matangi Island, where, in 1984, Ray was replaced by the slow creep of automation. He remained on the island, instead becoming its first DOC ranger. His story is told in a new book 'The Lights In My Life - Memoirs of a kiwi lighthouse keeper' Author Anne Rimmer talks to Jesse.

The Urban Advisory's New Zealand Housing Survey reveals that more of us are interested in co-housing, residential co-operatives and shared ownership models. In short, when it comes to our homes, we want options .. but that's not all. Dr Natalie Allen, Managing Director at The Urban Advisory chats to Jesse.

Christchurch group Share Kai puts on events catered by a group of women from refugee backgrounds. It aims to create opportunities for people to meet, eat and get to know each other better. This week we meet members from Afghanistan and Eritrea and talk to the founder of the group.

When most of us picture the future, we fall into familiar patterns, imagining what we could do, should do, might do, or absolutely must avoid. But those habits can blind us to possibilities hiding in plain sight says designer Nick Foster. He's the former head of design at X, Google's innovation lab. Foster argues that the future isn't best understood as a sci-fi fantasy, but rather as something as ordinary as a trip to the shops. His new book challenges us to see what's coming with fresh eyes. It's called Could, Should, Might, Don't: How We Think About the Future.

It's time for our expert feature - and today we're discussing cosmetic dentistry. Rightly or wrongly, many people desire the perfect smile: straight teeth can boost confidence, make it easier to chew food and maintain oral hygiene Auckland cosmetic dentist Clarence Tam joins Jesse for the next 30 minutes to answer all your questions about cosmetic dentistry. You can text me 2101 with your questions or emails me at jesse@afternoons.co.nz

We're going to talk about what's worth watching on the small screen now and who better to give us some recommendations than actor, writer and author Michelle Langstone. The Family Next Door - Three Now WWE:Unreal - Netflix

Comedian Guy Williams is having a moment, he has just returned from a very successful trip to the UK where he sold out shows, his TV programme "New Zealand Today" is now available on Netflix and the distribution rights for NZ Today and NZ Tomorrow have been sold to an international company. How good?! Guy joins Jesse to chat success and also the more serious side of his New Zealand Tomorrow investigation where he sets out to solve Waimate's water crisis.

The NZ Ice Figure Skating championships are taking place in Auckland in today. For many of the contestants it's a fun hobby, but for others the stakes are higher. Winning the senior category here could mean a shot at qualifying for next year's World Championships. One of the women vying for that spot is Petra Lahti originally born in Tauranga, now based in Finland.

Health New Zealand has confirmed another case of measles in Northland, increasing the national count to 11. This virus, which was once thought of as a thing of the past, is very much rearing its ugly head again. As of September 30, there was over 1500 confirmed cases in the United States, and three confirmed deaths. So what can we do to stop any further spread? Dr Nikki Turner, principal medical advisor for the Immunisation Advisory Centre, she chats to Jesse.

Jesse is joined by Emile Donovan and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's show.

It's been a big week for the endangered critters of Aotearoa New Zealand with the announcement of this year's Bird of the Year winner, the Karearea New Zealand Falcon. Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki joins Jesse to talk about the Karearea and as usual everything and anything else that springs to mind.

Have you ever seen something in a magazine or a shop and thought, I could make that? Well, this next chat is for you. WomenzShed teacher Sophie Jack is spending this weekend embarking on a DIY project that she says is perfect to gain confidence with tools especially for those starting out. She talks Jesse through a kids kitchen helper created from two chairs.

The Kitchen Project's Connie Clarkson is on a mission; making a whole chicken usable for meals for one. Today she shares two more recipes you can make from chicken, meaning every part of the bird is used, even if you're dining alone. Recipe is here.

It's time for NZ Live - and this week we've got singer songwriter Tom Scott performing music from his upcoming solo album ANITYA.

The weather looks pretty average for the last weekend of the school holidays, so what better time to watch some movies .. here with his picks from the latest offerings is film critic Dominic Corry. The Smashing Machine - Theatres Play Dirty - Amazon Prime Video Holy Cow - Theatres

It's Freaky Friday time! Each Friday we speak to a listener about a spooky experience they have had. If you have one of your own do reach out to us, 2101 is the text number or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz. Recently we've had a few tales of encounters with spirits, so it feels like time for a good old-fashioned co-incidence. Bob joins me from Auckland's West Coast

A critic once said singer-songwriter James Reyne's voice is "as familiar to Australians as the taste of Vegemite". Well now we can get a taste - James is in town for an acoustic performance at Auckland Town Hall tomorrow evening. It'll be an extra special one as he'll be performing as a duo with his guitarist Josh Owen, who's got his own burgeoning solo career.