Books

Ranging from whale vomit to Victorian mourning jewellery, Una Cruickshank's often astonishing book of essays The Chthonic Cycle meditates on the wonders of the earth and our use and abuse of them. Audio

Gabrielle Huria is Ngai Tuahuriri and Ngai Tahu and lives with her whanau at Tuahiwi in North Canterbury.  She is part of a major new exhibition created by Ngai Tahu with photographer Anne Noble at… Audio

David Burton has been writing about food for The Post, Cuisine Magazine and other outlets for over 40 years. He joins Jesse to share his favourite books, music and movies. We also got some restaurant… Audio

A book club with a difference is turning heads at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to take a look. Audio

Editor of NZ Listener, Kirsty Cameron, got her start in journalist at RNZ and broadcasting before moving into print where she's stayed ever since. She spent more than a decade working in Australia… Audio

Ioannis (John) Psathas is one of Aotearoa's most acclaimed composers. He made a name for himself in 2004 by composing the music for the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics. From there accolades… Audio

There are more billionaires now than ever before. We know their names, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Theil, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos. But we don't really know their lives. We share the same planet, but they… Audio

Sunday the 22nd of June was the shortest day of the year, and as is tradition, the winner of National Flash Fiction Day was also announced. The competition has been running since 2012 and it… Audio

Tessa Mitchell never knew her grandfather but he has cast a long shadow. Her film I Am a Dark River is about Bob Lowry - that creative and some would say sometimes outrageous grandfather. It's been… Video, Audio

Romance novels are having a moment. England's first ever romance-only bookshop opened this week in Notting Hill, London. Audio