Author Interview
Esther Woolfson: loving our pets to death
Is the way we breed and keep pet animals essentially cruel and unethical? Esther Woolfson is an Scottish author and animal lover. Her latest book Between Light and Storm: How We Live With Other… Audio
Birds of NZ, Oscar Thomas
Kathryn speaks with Oscar Thomas about his passion for birds which started with a primary school trip ten years ago and has earned him an international book deal. A London Publisher has picked up this… Audio, Gallery
Jonathan Silvertown - laughter is in our DNA
Edinburgh University Professor of Evolutionary Ecology Jonathan Silvertown at why laughter is our first langauge and what is certifiably funny and what isn't in his new book, The Comedy of Error: Why… Audio
Writer Jillian Sullivan: 'You want to be a voice for the river but also understand the fear from the farmers'
Ten years ago, writer Jillian Sullivan took a huge leap of faith – leaving a failed marriage and empty nest to build a house from straw in the remote Ida Valley, Central Otago. She talks to Kathryn… Audio
Poisoning the Pacific:Jon Mitchell on US military contamination
Since the Second World War US military operations have been contaminating the Pacific with toxic substances, including chemical weapons and radioactive material. It's estimated that hundreds of… Audio
A History of Palmerston North
We talk to Massey University Emeritus Professor Margaret Tennant, one of the authors of City at the Centre: A history of Palmerston North. Audio
Robert Dessaix - growing old well
Age has set beloved Australian writer and broadcaster Robert Dessaix free. He travels the world having conversations about ageing to understand not just the. Its all detailed in his new book, The Time… Audio
A South Island road trip like no other
Bruce Ansley is the author of 11 books, including Coast which won top honours at the NZ Book Awards. But it's his latest book, Down South, which sums up a lifetime's work and fascination for Bruce. Audio
Graham Norton - his new book, dogs, and wine
Change hit Ireland like "an express train" and transformed it from a backward country into one that the Irish are proud of, says one of its most famous sons. Audio
Trent Dalton: 'I'm so hungry and I've still got so much to learn'
Australian writer and journalist Trent Dalton has just followed up the massive success of his semi-autobiographical debut novel Boy Swallows Universe with a new book All Our Shimmering Skies. Audio
100 years of help and hope for Aucklanders in need
Historian Peter Lineham talks to Kathryn about his book 'Agency of Hope' which chronicles the story of the Auckland City Mission from 1920-2020. Audio, Gallery
Stan Walker on abuse, addiction, love and forgiveness
Singer-songwriter Stan Walker opens up for the first time about the horrific abuse and neglect he suffered as a child and young person, in the hope of helping other victims. His music career was… Video, Audio, Gallery
Ben Macintyre discusses his new book Agent Sonya
Ruth Werner was a spy for the Soviet Union while living the life of a mum with three kids. Audio
Kay Douglas on how men can break their cycle of violence
Auckland-based counsellor Kay Douglas has been helping men to deal with violent or abusive behaviour for nearly 30 years. She's written a number of books, including Invisible Wounds: A self-help guide… Audio
Jason Hickel - How DeGrowth Will Save The World
Dr Jason Hickel discusses his new book Less is More: How DeGrowth Will Save The World. Audio
How learning music can help all learning
Dr Anita Collins is an award-winning Australian educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. Since 2016 she has travelled the world interviewing over 100… Audio
Shadowing W B Yeats
Irish poet William Butler Yeats was a member of a clandestine society where spirits were conjured and magic practised - and by his side was the much younger woman who'd later become his wife, Georgie… Audio
Nick Bryant: When America Stopped Being Great
When America Stopped Being Great is the latest book from BBC New York correspondent Nick Bryant, which follows on the heels of his 2014 title The Rise and Fall of Australia. In his new book, Nick… Audio
Paul Moon: 'I wasn't going to censor anything'
The unflinching new book When Darkness Stays by historian Paul Moon is based on the time he spent capturing the oral history of late Tuhoe tohunga, H ¯hepa Kereopa. Dr Moon thought he was "the last… Audio
Catherine Chidgey's new book Remote Sympathy
Multi award-winning New Zealand author Catherine Chidgey is just about to release a new book, Remote Sympathy. It's her sixth book - earlier novels In a Fishbone Church, Golden Deeds, and The Wish… Audio