Afternoons for Wednesday 27 March 2024

First song: Andrew Paley

For our first song today we meet Andrew Paley who's in Aotearoa to perform for the first time. He's a Chicago-based artist, multi-instrumentalist and producer on his way to visit family in the South Island.

He's performing one show while he's here tomorrow night at the Wine Cellar.

We talk to Andrew about his relatives down under and play a track from his 2020 album Scattered Light.

1:15 New 'green' freight hub developed in Auckland.

A unique new industrial complex is being built in Auckland with the environment in mind.

It will involve low-carbon concrete, rainwater harvesting, one of New Zealand's largest rooftop solar panel installations and an EV truck charging station with the aim of being a 6 Green Star Design.

Argosy Property is behind this industrial development, their Head of Sustainability Saatyesh Bhana speaks to Jesse.

1:25 The last flour mill in the southern hemisphere in Foxton

If you've driven  SH1 in the North Island it's likely you've seen it - Foxton's iconic windmill

It might look hundreds of years old, but its history is much more recent - and turns out, it's in operation - the only one in the entire southern hemisphere milling flour.

At 18, Jamie Henry was employed by The Foxton Windmill Trust - two years later he is now a trained miller. We speak to him.

1:35 The Mountain, a local film being released tomorrow

Set on the slopes of the iconic Taranaki maunga, The Mountain is going to be out in cinemas from tomorrow.

The local production also features one of our well-known and talented actors Rachel House.

We speak to her about the movie and what audiences can expect.

1:45 Heading Off: The Taniwha biking trail

Many people are back on the bike in eastern Auckland with the launch of the Taniwha Cycleway.

It's the latest in a series of cycleways linking the suburbs of Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland.

Glen Innes local, Tyson Hobson talks to Jesse about the latest cycle trail and where it goes.

2.12 Podcast Critic: Mary Argue

Today RNZ's very own producer Mary Argue is with Jesse to talk about some podcasts she's been listening to lately.

2:20 Easy Eats with Sam Parish: Sesame-crusted salmon burgers

Each week chef, author and mum of two young children Samantha Parish is with Jesse for midweek meal inspiration.

This week she's got a recipe that would also be a Friday fakeaway meal, sesame-crusted salmon burgers.

You can find the recipe here or follow Sam making the dish on RNZ's Instagram video.

2:30 Bookmarks with Deborah Challinor

This week for Bookmarks we speak to one of New Zealand's best-selling novelists Deborah Challinor.

The talented writer has a knack for writing gripping, accurate historical fiction which comes from her background as a doctored historian.

She joins Jesse to talk about what she likes to read, watch and listen to when she's not penning a bestseller herself.

Here are Deborah's picks: 
Books:
The Commitments, Roddy Doyle
Union Street, Pat Barker
The Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis
Dressed: fashionable dress in Aotearoa NZ 1840 to 1910, Clare Regnault
 
Music:
'Depreston' - Courtney Barnett
'Ode to Billie Joe' - Bobby G
'Immigrant Song' - Led Zeppelin
'Hotel California' - The Eagles

Film/TV:
Breaking Bad (TV series)
Midsomer Murders (TV series)
This Is Spinal Tap (film)
Love, Actually (film)

Favourite sport:
Rugby league - the New Zealand Warriors. Up the Wahs!
 

3:10 An artists view of the New York art scene 

Everyone warned her, it was a bad idea when best-selling author Bianca Bosker wanted to insert herself in the art world.  

As a child, she painted obsessively, even showed her work in local art shows. But after moving to New York, the art galleries felt like exclusive private parties and she was no longer invited. 

She spent five years working in the art scene, as a gallery assistant, even a security guard at the Guggenheim Museum, to rediscover the importance of beauty and how appreciating art becomes practice for appreciating life. 

Her new book is called Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See.  

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Coming up on Our Changing World, Alison Ballance joins a team of bird experts using tiny hi-tech tracking devices to investigate how eastern bar-tailed godwits manage to sleep on their epic migrations.

3:45 The pre-Panel