The Detail

As far as New Zealand's economic recovery goes, we're still crawling out of our deep recessionary hole - and we've just hit a global glitch Quarterly figures are supposed to point to where our economy is heading, but any hopeful messages in them last week have just been blown out of the water…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sir Graham Henry beamed into the world's most prestigious ad awards to congratulate New Zealand on being 'the best place in the world to have herpes'Of a pool of more than 26,000 entries at the Cannes Lions, a New Zealand ad came out on top. Turns out, Kiwis are good at ads - and having herpes.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Unaffordable housing, the high cost of living, and 'very intentional decisions' by the government see a spike in homelessness.An advocate for people sleeping rough says homelessness is reaching 'crisis levels' and he's seeing children as young as nine turn up for emergency accommodation. What's gone wrong in Aotearoa?…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Innovation in warfare features in Ukraine's David and Goliath fight with Russia …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Gillian Boyes, Chief Executive of the Funeral Directors Association, shares her insights on making funerals more affordable and meaningful. She discusses the rising costs of funerals and the emotional strain this places on families. The conversation highlights innovative ideas like coffin clubs as cost-saving measures. Boyes also addresses the need for regulatory reforms and advocates for transparency in funeral pricing. A focus on cultural considerations, especially for Māori families, adds depth to the discussion about honoring loved ones while managing financial burdens.

Chris Harper, from Kiwifruit Leather Innovations, focuses on turning kiwifruit waste into sustainable leather alternatives. The discussion highlights cutting-edge agricultural innovations showcased at Fieldays, including eco-friendly solutions for farming. Harper shares insights on transforming waste into valuable products and the importance of collaboration with local designers. The podcast also touches on the potential revival of New Zealand's wool industry, emphasizing sustainability and market adaptability in the face of synthetic fibers.

A decade after major overhauls to health and safety in New Zealand, WorkSafe is getting a reboot. Critics aren't convinced it will save lives. With more that 70 workplace deaths in New Zealand every year, a WorkSafe reboot isn't surprising. But critics say the changes aren't likely to save lives.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Lepidopterists fear our butterfly and moth numbers are on the wane They're not just beautiful, they help pollinate our flowers and grasses. But are moths and butterflies starting to disappear?…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

At Fieldays, exhibitors from around the country - and the world - come to show off the latest farming innovations…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

David Williams, Newsroom Environment Editor, and Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, CEO of WWF New Zealand, dive deep into New Zealand's Predator Free 2050 initiative. They discuss the recent budget cuts that threaten this ambitious goal and the government's management changes that could impact progress. Community engagement and the importance of volunteer efforts emerge as critical themes. Additionally, they explore the economic advantages of biodiversity recovery and the challenges faced in eradicating invasive species to protect the unique wildlife of Aotearoa.