Saturday Morning

It's day two of auditions at the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards in Gore. Jenny Mitchell won the senior competition in 2017. She's back this year as both a showcase performer and volunteer helping out on stage - because that's just what you do! A highlight of the Tussock Country festival, Gold Guitars launched her country music career - one that has taken her to Tamworth and Nashville. Now based in Melbourne, Jenny was mentored by Dame Jools Topp who sadly passed away earlier this week. Jenny talks to Susie about her audition picks so far and how Jools shaped her as both a musician and a person.

Poet, performer and award-winning author, Tusiata Avia has forged her own path as a Pasifika voice on themes like racism and identity delivered with humour, honesty and courage. The 2026 International Institute of Modern Letters Writer in Residence for the Academy of New Zealand Literature, her latest work is called Giving Birth to My Father. A collection of poems, it is an exploration and expression of grief and acceptance. She speaks to Susie about loss, life - and getting into trouble.

Our regular gardening expert Hannah Zwartz is back with more advice for the green and not so green fingered amongst us! Today she talks to Susie about why we prune in June and she has her top tips for planting - size, spacing and why sprinkling seed is a good alternative to mulch.

Being ordinary or doing ordinary things isn't usually something people aspire to - but Dr Nadine Levy says we should. 

Sam Cox turned his obsession with doodling into a global art sensation. But at one point he believed he really was his alter ego, Mr Doodle.

Most of us have a song at some time or another we just can't get out of our head. It's called an earworm - and you can get rid of them!   

After decades of conflict, it's hard to imagine a peaceful Middle East. But Maoz Inon, an Israeli and Aziz Abu Sarah, a Palestinian believe it is possible. 

Concerned that their dairy farm was both financially and environmentally unsustainable, the Hogg family decided to return to their organic roots. Sam Hogg led the farm's conversion to permaculture - and increased their profits by a staggering 500%. He talks to Susie Ferguson about how he did it!

Would you date an artificial intelligence companion? James Muldoon did. 

With a name inspired by a beautiful and remote part of New Zealand, The Doubtful Sounds choir is all about making beautiful noise. Directed by RNZ's Concerts very own Bryan Crump, the choir performs Bryan's a cappella arrangements of popular music from around the world at global competitions and village halls The award-winning community choir has a special treat in store for Saturday Morning as Bryan talks to Susie and Mihingarangi about singing, arranging and his new podcast Crump's Classical Conversation.

It's a massive night tonight for footy fans, with Auckland FC facing off against Sydney FC in the A-League Grand Final at Go Media Stadium. CEO Nick Becker speaks about the club's explosive rise in just two seasons as momentum builds to the main event.

Our resident reader Kate de Goldi is back with her latest picks - an American novel The Gossip Columnist's Daughter by Peter Ormer and a New Zealand picture book You Can't Pat a Fish by Ruth Paul.

Rachael King is one of New Zealand's best-known children's authors. She's back with her latest offering Song of the Saltings - a folk horror for young adult readers. She's also a contestant on the new season of The Traitors reality TV show.

How good is your travel etiquette? Lonely Planet's Destination Editor for Oceania shares her top tips.

Lindsay Bartels tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene meaning her risk of cancer was higher and this could be passed onto any children she might have.

Jonathan Creek star and resident QI panelist, Alan Davies is coming to New Zealand in July with a brand-new standup show Think Ahead. It's a decade since Alan's been behind the stand-up mic. He speaks to Susie about why he's back now.

The number of suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has breached the 600 mark and the outbreak is evolving fast in an area of the DRC where parts of ground zero - Ituri province - are run by militia.

Christine Dawood's husband and 19- year-old son died on board the doomed Titan submersible. She tells Susie Ferguson the whole story.

With high rates of youth unemployment and ongoing global uncertainty over oil prices, the country is braced for what is likely to be a challenging Budget later this month.

What's the worst career advice you've ever received? 

One of Ireland's best loved writers, Roddy Doyle is known for bringing working class Ireland to life. He's in New Zealand for the Auckland Writer's Festival. 

Five years ago Jen Sherman changed her family of four's diet completely - swapping out ultra processed foods for healthier alternatives. 

Kate Bowler wants us to stop trying to be happy. 

It's day two of the WSL (World Surf League) in Raglan and someone who knows the Manu Bay swells very well is multi-national title holding surfer Daniel Kereopa. Daniel has dedicated his life to pushing the limits, riding all types of waves in a variety of ways. He's mana whenua and along with his partner Renee, Daniel runs DK Surf School in Raglan. He talks to Mihingarangi about why the WSL is so important to their tightknit community.

The push for a ban on social media for under-16s has been paused despite both National and Labour supporting it. Several other countries are moving to restrict young people's access to social media, following Australia's lead. Meanwhile, new research shows children who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to develop depression and anxiety as teenagers. Dr Chen Shen from Imperial College's School of Public Health manages this large-scale Study of Cognition in Adolescents and Mobile Phones (SCAMP) and joins Susie Ferguson from London.

Cult expert Dr Christine Marie found herself in the unique position of becoming an FBI informant and taking down a cult leader - somewhat by accident. 

Considered one of the most influential voices in contemporary literature, Rebecca Kuang's latest novel draws on her lived experience.  

Why are broad beans traditionally planted on Anzac Day? And how can you make your own compost full of beneficial microorganisms? 

Despite missing the top of his beak, Bruce the kea is the alpha male at Christchurch’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Professor Ximena Nelson explains how Bruce’s innovative behaviour has challenged their perceptions of what’s possible.  

You'll know him as Dr Chris Warner from Shortland Street, but actor Michael Galvin is also an award-winning playwright. His latest, War Hero, is inspired by the 1939 autobiography of Archibald Baxter, a conscientious objector during World War I.

The astonishing story of twin sisters born in rural China - one grows up with her family, the other is snatched away, caught up in the machinery of the state's one-child policy.

Journalist and author Jimmy Thomson believes there is one group of soldiers who have been overlooked: the combat engineers or ‘sappers’. It was their job to clear the way for others to follow and Thomson says that makes them the first ANZACs.

Geoff Stear was a young medic in the British Army when he was sent to the Falkland Islands as part of a military clean-up operation. It would leave him with lifelong PTSD. A dog named Charlie helped him get his life back.

Our favourite book worm, Kate de Goldi, is back with the latest books she can't put down. 

Whether you're unleashing your inner-self or alter ego, dressing up is life-long fun for many of us! 

Do you wish you could perform better under pressure? Sports psychologist Ant Williams says mental resilience can be learned and applied to our everyday lives.

It's that time of year when many of us head in for a flu shot but what about the shingles vaccine?

Communities today often feel more polarised than united. Philosopher Peter Boghossian is teaching students how to navigate differences of opinion.

From the Boxing Day tsunami to devastating earthquakes, TVNZ's first Asia Correspondent Charlotte Glennie has covered some of the biggest stories. 

Josh Silver gave up his career as an actor to become a mental health nurse. He also spends some of his time writing critically acclaimed Young Adult fiction.

He's considered one of Ireland's greatest living novelists - and he's planning to step into comedy.

Shipping companies have gone into emergency meetings following news from Iran saying the Strait of Hormuz will be open during the ceasefire in Lebanon.

How to reset your money mindset and find financial freedom. The founders of Hi Money help women build a healthier relationship with money. 

What if I told you, you can fall asleep in Sicily and wake up in the centre of Rome? That's the reality of sleeper trains, something travel writer Monisha Rajesh is obsessed with.

Most book store owners don't also have a Pulitzer Prize next to their name. But Native American book shop proprietor and acclaimed author Louise Erdrich does.

Artemis II is set to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean just after midday. Renowned astrophysicist Michelle Thaller, who has two friends onboard - mates from her 27 years working at NASA - joins us in the lead up to the historic moment.

Dex Hunter-Torricke spent 15 years as a communications executive helping spin the stories Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk wanted us to hear. He offers a unique glimpse behind the curtain of these increasingly powerful players.

As the North Island braces for Cyclone Vaianu's impact, Chris Brandolino joins us with the latest of what to expect and how to prepare.

The Iran war and rising fuel prices have left us all feeling a bit anxious at the pump.

The stuff of many an outrageous story, UK punk band The Pogues are celebrating 40 years since the release of their iconic album, Rum Sodomy and the Lash.