Afternoons for Friday 6 March 2026

 

1:10 Politics: How low can Luxon go?

What on earth is going on with the National Party? That's the question that seems to be on lots of lips as new polling shows the party only a couple of points above its disastrous 2020 numbers.

The latest Curia Poll, released by The Taxpayer's Union, National is sitting at 28 percent, down three points from the same poll last October, and 10 points from the last election. 

Already today Nicola Willis, National's Deputy Leader, has said publicly she's not happy with the number, and that they have to do better. 

To offer his own analysis director of Capital NZ, former National press secretary, and political commentator Ben Thomas is with Jesse.

1:20 Celebrating locals selling local produce

National Farmers’ Markets Week kicks off tomorrow, an annual celebration encouraging shoppers to ditch the supermarket and give their local market a go.

Helen Dorresteyn co-founded the Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market 20 years ago.

She went door to door recruiting around 20 local producers, it's since grown into a thriving market with about 60 stalls and is now widely regarded as one of Auckland’s best farmers’ markets.  She chats to Jesse.
 

1:30 Deep Dive: We take the plunge with an award-winning dive researcher

Professor Simon Mitchell has won a major award for his work advancing dive practice worldwide, receiving the NOGI Science award from the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences 

Considered the 'Oscars' of the diving world, past recipients include the great French explorer Jacques Cousteau, Bob Ballard who discovered the wreck of the Titantic, and Ocean explorer and film director James Cameron 

Professor Mitchell is internationally recognised for his research in diving medicine, particularly in decompression physiology and oxygen toxicity, and he has recently appeared in the Netflix documentary 'Deeper' alongside some of the team involved in the 2019 Thai Cave rescue

 Professor Simon Mitchell, Head of Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland joins Jesse.

1:45 Freaky Friday

Time for Freaky Friday, our home for your terrifying tales. We're talking ghosts and ghouls, UFO's and unexplained happenings.

If you've got a story for us, we want to know; 2101 on the text or email Jesse@rnz.co.nz

Today we're joined by Marie.

2:10 Film: Frankenstein from the Bride's Perspective - Does it work?

Film critic Dominic Corry joins Jesse to review:

The Bride! 
Tenor - My Name Is Pati
Charli XCX movie The Moment

2:20 NZ Live: Swooner, crooner Hemi Hemingway performs LIVE!

Today on NZ Live - Aotearoa New Zealand's best live music showcase - we're joined by Hemi Hemmingway. 

Hemi, real name Shaun Blackwell, released his second album 'Wings of Desire' a couple of weeks ago, and critics are loving it!

3:08 Food: Nectarine and Raspberry Pudding Cake with the Hungry Cook

The mornings might be getting cooler but Olivia Galletly, also known as The Hungry Cook, has a recipe that keeps that summer feeling lingering a little longer. 
Click HERE for the recipe.

3:16 Music 101: Tony Stamp shares new music

Tony Stamp from Music 101 tells Jesse what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on the show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - he'll pick us a track to play.

3:25 Weekend Stuff: How to change a room's function

It's time for our Weekend Stuff segment; this week we are talking with Sylvia Sanford about changing the role of a room. Please send any questions you have for Sylvia to 2101. 

3:35 Why conservationists are celebrating a wētāpunga success story

Jesse talks to Auckland Zoo's Curator of Ectotherms, Don McFarlane, about wētāpunga.

Wait till you hear the success story of how this critter has been brought back from the brink!

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.