Music
Music promoter says NZ is 'back in the game' thanks to $40 million govt funding package
A veteran music promotor says New Zealand is back in the game, thanks to a $40 million funding package from the government. Political reporter Anneke Smith has more. Audio
Worlds of Music 14 September, 2025
Music from the world, for the world, with Abou Diarra, Ariana Tikao, Don McGlashan, and Nigerian afrobeat musician Femi Kuti. Audio
Fast Favourites with Michael Houston
In 2019 preeminent and popular New Zealand classical pianist Michael Houston announced ihis retirement. Yet, with the disruption of Covid, things didn't turn out that way. At all. Six years on he… Audio
Hymns on Sunday, 14 September 2025
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this week with a selection of hymns in Te Reo Māori. Audio
Who are you excited to see at Splore 2026?
For DJ and music producer Half Queen - co-curator of this year's festival - it's Jamaican dancehall queen Sister Nancy.
Nashville Babylon: 13 September 2025
On this week's show there's blues from BB And The Bullets and Billy Gibbons, reggae courtesy of Linton Kwesi Johnson, R'n'B from Dinah Washington and Louis Jordan plus all time classics from Tom Waits… Audio
Wāhine in Jazz
Nick Tipping checks out a new album from Auckland-based collective Wāhine in Jazz. Audio
Soul Shoutin'
Shirley Scott Stands and delivers; tracks from Tina Brooks and Clare Fischer; and Malcolm McNeill gets mellow. Audio
The Mixtape: Pickle Darling
Lukas Mayo has released four albums of bedroom pop under the name Pickle Darling. Working from a home studio in Ōtautahi Christchurch, they've received increasing critical acclaim, from local outlets… Audio
HalfQueen on co-curating Splore 2026
The in-demand producer and DJ joins Kara to preview the lineup of the popular festival, which is back after taking a year off. Audio
Rhian Sheehan & Arli Liberman on new album Traces
New Zealand-based musicians, composers and producers Rhian Sheehan and Arli Liberman have released their collaborative album Traces, eight ambient tracks mixed in Spatial Audio. The pair join Kara to… Audio
Gregory Porter brings liquid gold to New Zealand
Hailed as one of the most influential jazz artists of his generation, two-time Grammy award winning artist Gregory Porter is coming to Aotearoa New Zealand. Audio
Review: Natalie Bergman's second album deserves more recognition
Repeated listens to My Home is Not in This World reveal there's more here than just pleasant, listenable tunes.
NZ’s small music venues are struggling - but there are ways to help them thrive
Grassroots venues are essential to the development of new music talent and overseas governments are giving them a hand.
Out Lately with Finn Johansson
He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music. Audio
Composing in a changing climate
This year’s SOUNZ Tarling Trust Orchestral Commission winner Joshua Pearson dedicates his prize to highlighting the vulnerability of Pasifika nations to climate change. Video, Audio
Music 101: Tony Stamp shares new music
Music 101's Tony Stamp talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on the show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - he'll pick us a track to play. Audio
NZ Live: Crystal Chen LIVE in Studio
It's our favourite time of the week, NZ Live, and today we're excited to introduce Crystal Chen. Crystal is a Chinese-New Zealand singer, songwriter, and visual artist. Her music stems from a deep… Audio
The Big Sing Finale 2025
The top twenty-four secondary school choirs, selected from over 200 across the motu, perform at The Big Sing Finale. You can listen, and see videos, here: Video, Audio
Music with Jeremy Taylor
Jeremy Taylor of Slowboat records plays tracks from Suede's new album, a debut album from Dunedin indie band Pearly, and a greatest hits collection from Billy Joel is issued on vinyl. Audio
