Author Interview

Mary Jane Walker is on a mission to make sure people know that the North Island is just as much a worthy tourism destination as the South Island. She's talks to Jesse about her book, The Neglected… Audio

Scuba-diving philosopher Peter Godfrey-Smith talks about his latest book, Metazoa: Animal life and the birth of the mind. He travels deep below the ocean's surface to explore the fundamental links… Audio

Donald Trump has been compulsive viewing for many people throughout the world over the course of his first and likely only term as US president. However, writer Joe Berkowitz argues he has been bad… Audio

Having been down on her luck and at sea in her personal life, Maria Konnikova sought out her life answers in the game of poker. Within a year, she was a national champion and won more than $80k in one… Audio

Scottish writer Douglas Stuart recently won the 2020 Booker Prize for his debut novel Shuggie Bain. Before its success, the book was rejected more than 30 times by various publishers. Set in 1980s… Audio

Australia is not well known for casting envious glances across the Tasman. But what can 'the lucky country' learn from us? Laura Tingle is a senior political journalist with the Australian… Audio

Wellington based illustrator, Melissa Boardman is passionate about native birds. Her illustrated book Birds of New Zealand catalogues the collective noun names for our native birds. Some are quite… Audio, Gallery

Independent wine reviewer Michael Cooper has today released his 2021 Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide. He talks to Jesse about the best wines for the festive season. Audio

Hannah Davison  is the co-founder and author of the My Big Moments series of personalised books for children aged two and up.

She talks to Phillipa Tolley about Baby on the Way, a picture book for… Audio

Shilo Kino has written a novel for young adults, which, she hopes, their parents will read too. Journalist with TVNZ current affairs show Marae, Shilo's first book is The Pōrangi Boy, about Northland… Audio

Richard Fairgray is a creator of comics and picture books and he's been making his own books since childhood. Growing up in Auckland, the award-winning author now spends his time between Canada, and… Audio

Why does coriander smell like soap to one person, but fragrant and delicious to another? Professor Ann-Sophie Barwich is a cognitive scientist, empirical philosopher and science historian who… Audio

It was 2005 when one of New Zealand's most important artists, Ralph Hotere, asked his friend, the writer, poet and biographer Vincent O'Sullivan, to write his life story. Audio

Dogs have long been called man's best friend - but some go far beyond that: providing a critical role in helping people live their lives. Author Sue Allison's new book Friends inDEED looks at how… Audio

In his new book, Gangland, investigative reporter Jared Savage explores the country's growing underbelly of organised crime and violent gangs, paying particular attention to the constantly-growing… Audio

Alice Te Punga Somerville joins us to talk about her new book: '250 Ways to Start an Essay about Captain Cook'.  Audio

Olga Khazan grew up as a Russian Jewish immigrant in the bible belt oil town of Midland, West Texas. Throughout her childhood all she wanted to was to fit in and be as Amercian as her classmates. Even… Audio

Hospital radiographer Simone Colwill's series of picture books help young children prepare for a stay in hospital: either a parent's or their own. As a patient and a mother herself, battling a chronic… Audio

Matt Morris's passion for sustainability and gardening served as the catalyst for a PhD on Christchurch's extensive and proud green-fingered history. He has now broadened that out in his new book… Audio

James Suzman is an anthropologist and author who argues we spent too much of our lives working unnecessarily. Audio