Books
Book review: Three of the best from 2025
Ralph McAllister reviews three of his favourite books from last year. Audio
Authors miss out on vital annual payment after government department bungle
The Public Lending Right scheme makes a payment to authors each year, when they have sufficient books in New Zealand libraries. Audio
Book Critic: Life lessons through the lens of authors
Bill Hastings joins Jesse to review the following books: Margaret Atwood, Book of Lives, A Memoir of Sorts (Chatto & Windus, 2025) Nigel Latta, Lessons on Living (Harper Collins, 2025) Erik Kennedy… Audio
Best Song Eva: Catherine Chidgey
Catherine Chidgey joins Jim to discuss which of her novels is her favourite, the teachers who inspired her, her ideas boxes, and to pick her Best Song Eva. Audio
Summer reading with Kate de Goldi
Kate de Goldi has got a nose for a good book and she's back to share her thoughts on Island Storm by Brian Floca and Sydney Smith and From Far Around They Saw Us Burn by Alice Jolly. Audio
Book review: Three of the best from 2025
Lisa Adler of Unity Books Wellington reviews three of her favourite books from last year. Audio
Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist revealed
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 29 January 2026
Winston Peters has intensified his attack on his own government's Free Trade Agreement with India claiming up to 20,000 Indians will be able to come into the country and the agreement will result in… Audio
Book review: Three of the best from 2025
This Compulsion in Us by Tina Makereti published by Te Herenga Waka University Press, Overseas Experience by Nicola Andrew published by Aporo Press, and Clown Town by Mick Herron published by… Audio
Heartbreak and joy: a New Zealand doctor's time in Nepal
What Was I Thinking is full of anecdotes from working and family life and is interwoven with his own poetry. Audio
Jacinda Ardern among contenders at NZ's biggest book awards
Nine debut authors appear on the longlist announced today, including the former prime minister for her recent memoir.
Cop-turned-author drops his fake pen name
The pen name, Nathan Blackwell, came from a "complete lack of self-belief" and fear, Chris Blake says.
Book review: Three of the best from 2025
Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore three of her favourite books from last year: The True True Story of Raja the Gullible by Rabih Alameddine, published by Little Brown Books, Service by John Tottenham… Audio
Book review: Three of the best from 2025
Flashlight by Susan Choi, published by Vintage, Mana by Tame Iti, published by Allen & Unwin, Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams, published by Pan Macmillan. Audio
Books on Seddon
We're continuing our tour around the country to visit second-hand book stores. and today we're in the Waikato gold mining town of Waihi. Audio
Tessa Vincent on the importance of long-term thinking about climate change
London based New Zealander Capacity Building Manager for the International Climate Councils Network's Tessa Vincent speaks to Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams about the need for political leadership… Audio
John Prins: Pastoral Care
Auckland writer John Prins has been described as a bold new voice in New Zealand fiction - with the release of his debut novel Pastoral Care. The New Zealand Listener's voted it in their Top 100 books… Audio
The literary stories that resonated with Claire Mabey
New Zealand children's writer and books editor for The Spinoff, Claire Mabey, joins Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams to share some of her favourite books right now. Audio
Growing generations of readers in Aotearoa
Chief executive of Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Juliet Blyth joins Maggie Tweedie to discuss Writers in Schools program and its success. Audio
Chertsey Book Barn
We're off now to meet another bookshop owner - one who sells pre-loved books. Reviews of the shop we're visiting today say it's a 'treasure trove a books at great prices' and 'a maze of books" -… Audio
