Rnz: Afternoons With Jesse Mulligan

Pip Adam has been reading and thinking a lot about how AI could affect writing. She shares books that offer insights to AI and that show how important human writers are. Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI - Karen Hao Blame it on the Rain (no more poetry 2025) - Hana Pera Aoake Show you're working out - Liz Breslin

Today our tech expert discusses the worrying rise of AI chat bots and what you can do to stay safe from their dangers

The latest attempt to finalise a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution fell apart on Friday. What now?

People over sixty are wanted to hang out with a tiny robot called iRobi. University of Auckland Master of Robotics and Automation Engineering student Zahra Ally is developing a new game, and she needs help. She chats to Jesse. Please email zall683@aucklanduni.ac.nz.if you're keen to help!

There's a deep fake of Gareth Morgan doing the rounds on social media, and it is so sophisticated, even Gareth Morgan was taken aback.

We've got something for carb lovers now, this week's Here Now is focused on breaking bread, putting bakers in the spotlight. Today's edition sees master baker Meinolf Kraeling in conversation with Kadambari Raghukumar, about his deeply ingrained German love for bread.

Everyone wants to live a long life, but no one wants to get old. Just over 15 years ago, cardiologist Dr Eric Topol went looking for genetic reasons why some people are able age into their 80's without the usual chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular issues. Dr Topol the founder and director of the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego says genetics are not destiny and it's never too late to start taking steps to delay or even prevent disease.

Friday is National Poetry Day, and we are delighted, thrilled, positively effervescent to announce that - after taking a hiatus last year - our poetry competition will return! Once more judging your entries, Jesse will be joined by poet, writer and editor of the journal "Poetry Aotearoa" Dr Tracey Slaughter. To give you a head start, for the next 30 minutes she joins us for an expert feature on poetry.

As regular listeners will know, we like a cold call here on Afternoons, we've been through all the isite centres around Aotearoa, so now we're turning our attention to iwi radio stations. 

We're no strangers to endangered animals on this show, but today we're pleased to share a conservation success story. Tawaki, or Fiordland Crested Penguins are the third rarest of the world's 18 penguin species, and thanks to efforts of many, the number of these penguins breeding in Tawaki has nearly tripled from 35 to nearly 100 pairs.

There's a lot happening for New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria this year, including - of all things - a mini film festival! Ensemble magazine is behind the 'Fashion Film Festival', which will run next week at Auckland's Academy Cinemas. To tell us the ins and outs Rebecca Wadey, co-founder of Ensemble, joins Jesse.

More than half of Asian New Zealanders are at risk of depression, with young adults, women, Koreans, and Indians disproportionately affected. 

It's time for Critter of the week where we put the spotlight on an endangered insect, and today's critter is the very definition of tiny but mighty. The Crabill's centipede is small by most standards .. coming in at 3 centimetres .. but it can take down much larger prey much thanks to its poison claws. Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki chats to Emile.

Now brace yourselves, spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means a perfect time to clean and declutter. Here to share her top decluttering tips is Rachael Quin from housekeeper.co.nz

Alice Taylor from 'Alice Taylor Eats' is here with her take on an Orange and Yogurt Cake.

According to audience reviews, the new romantic comedy film "Jane Austen Wrecked My Life" will delight fans of rom coms and fans of the inimitable author. Here to give us her opinion is our film critic Kate Rodger. She also talks to Emile about the winning short film from New Zealand International Film Festival and this weekend's 48Film competition.

Today we're joined by country music sensation Jenny Mitchell. Across her career she's starred in NZ's Got Talent, Won a Golden Guitar, an Aotearoa music award, and released 4 albums. The latest of those albums 'Forest House" was released a just few weeks ago.

Are you ready to make like Missy Elliot and get your freak on? Well you better be because it's time for Freaky Friday.

Today marks eighty years since VJ Day - Victory over Japan Day - when Japan surrendered and World War Two ended. Post-war, twelve thousand New Zealand troops went to Japan to 'de-militarise' the country. To commemorate the anniversary, Nga Taonga Sound and Vision is sharing some 200 historical audio recordings of New Zealanders who served in Japan as part of "J-Force". Sound Historian Sarah Johnston has been working with these recordings and shares some of them with Emile.

As sunny days slowly return many of you will be getting out the gloves and shears to spend the weekend in the garden. Well, here's an idea that'll have the neighbours talking ...an initiative called 'Stems of Wonder'. It's a delivery service for curious gardeners, and every couple of weeks they receive unique seeds to plant, sourced from all over the world. Jo Parkin explains to Emile how she got it off the ground