Radio New Zealand - All Programmes

ABC Wantok Program for 2 October 2025

Bayleys' agent and auctioneer Ben Deans talks about why the opportunity would not suit the faint of heart.

It officially became a city on October 2nd, 1965, when its population hit 20,000. Today, it's home to more than 60,000 people. Mayor Anita Baker joins Nights to celebrate her city.

The latest news from Melanesia.

With AI tools able to produce essays, reports and case studies in seconds, oral exams could help education providers assess a student competency. Mark Leishman speaks to Auckland University's Patrick Dodd.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Emile Donovan, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Mark Leishman Then: the Conkers World Championship is nearly upon us. Emile talks to organsier St John Burkett about this years competition and why the UK heatwave is causing strofe for the sport.

For years, Destiny Church shaped every part of Lynia Morseu-Tol's life: her faith, her family and her identity. As a takatapui wahine Maori, its teachings left her feeling ashamed, conflicted and alone, all while she endured years of abuse at home. Sixteen years after leaving the church, Lynia speaks out about its leaders, who she believes failed to protect her, while condemning Ngati Uenuku - Rainbow Community. This is Lynia's story of reckoning with faith, identity and whanau.

In part two, the Buy Now, Pay Later sector is back under scrutiny. Afterpay recently reversed its decision to stop allowing no payment upfront on grocery and fuel purchases. The panel talks to a financial mentor about hwo this might affect teh people she works with. Then, Paul Kilmartin, the man who has NEVER owned a cellphone. We ask him why and if he has found true happiness.

The latest news in Solomon Islands Pidgin (Tok Pidgin).

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Zoe George and Max Burt. First up, more than five thousand children are waiting for learning support in schools. The Panel hears from Paul Barker, principal of Kaeo School in Northland about why the wait list is so long. Then, with the news of the Carter Holt Harvey Tokoroa mill closing due to clean imports, is it time to get back into the swing of buying local?

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about some Australian workers calling for early retirement, as the population ages some workers in physically demanding jobs are having to quit early and want to access their pension sooner.

People in the Christchurch suburb of Bromley are feeling vindicated after health researchers have found environmental odours have damaging health effects. Locals living in the suburb believe they've suffered nasty health problems since a compost facility opened there in 2009. Now the Public Health Communication Centre has looked at dozens of cases of pollution around the country, including examples from meat works, sewage plants, and landfills. It is calling on public health services to proactively advocate for communities like Bromley that have been adversely affected. Adam Burns reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

All Blacks have just announced their side to close out the Rugby Championship. Coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to the side which kept the Eden Park streak alive last week. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A leading animal welfare group says its been blindsided by the government quietly walking back a ban on pig crates weeks before it was due to come into force. Associate Minister Andrew Hoggard's believes his proposed changes to animal welfare laws will deliver world leading standards. But the SPCA disagree saying its "outraged" over the move and the lack of transparency and public consultation. SPCA's Chief Scientific Officer Dr Arnja Dale spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Toitū Te Tiriti protest movement has cut ties with Te Pāti Māori - with its spokesperson accusing the political party of being ego-driven and having a dictatorship model. Te Pāti Māori has pushed back - saying all decisions have been made through proper processes - and no formal complaints have ever been lodged. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Australia is funding two and half times the modern medicines that Aotearoa is according to an ongoing study. The study comissioned by Medicines New Zealand has been tracking drug funding in both countries using almost a decade and half of data. Australia has publicly funded 215 modern medicines compared to just 86 in New Zealand during the period from January 2011 to June 2025. Medicines NZ chief executive Dr Graeme Jarvis spoke to Lisa Owen.

The organisers of a humanitarian aid flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza say all three New Zealanders taking part have been detained by Israel. About 40 boats are reported to have been within 160 kilometres of Gaza when the Israeli military began intercepting boats. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says the passengers are safe. Aotearoa spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, Acacia O'Connor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Technology teachers are worried the government's overhaul of the school curriculum and qualifications will ruin what they say is a world-leading curriculum. They worry creativity and problem solving will be replaced by a rigid focus on teaching specific knowledge and skills. Delegates to this week's Technology Education conference also warn labeling subjects as either vocational or academic doesn't work for fields that straddle both paths. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

How long international rugby players spend on the field will be strictly monitored from next season. World Rugby has put a spotlight on player welfare and will restrict the number of games a player can participate in, as well as mandating how long the off-season is. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.