Here Now

University of Canterbury researchers are using Christchurch’s earthquake-affected Red Zone as a "living laboratory" to test eco-friendly soil restoration. Produced by Kadambari Raghukumar. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Berries are booming on the global stage - and NZ punches above its weight when it comes to production of blueberries and boysenberries. Behind the winning varieties of the fruit, are scientists like France-born Pauline Keribiro, bringing a wealth of global experience to keep NZ competing on the global stage. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Inside Lincoln’s Allan Herbarium lies a vault of over 800,000 dried plants—a living history of Aotearoa’s flora. In this episode, collection manager Dr. Ines Schönberger unlocks the cabinets to reveal how century-old pressings, rare species, and modern plant taxonomy safeguard New Zealand’s biodiversity. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Coffee is something of a staple here in New Zealand, but China has traditionally been better known for its tea drinkers. Liz Garton meets a couple of coffee aficionados and learns about China's expanding coffee culture and the kiwi crossover. Find out more about The MQ Coffee tour to its farm in Yunnan China via its instagram page @mqcoffeelab. And if you’re keen to know more about homegrown coffee, check out this Country Life story. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A selection of award-winning films comes to New Zealand this month, showcasing contemporary Latin American and Spanish cinema at the 24th Latin American Film Festival of New Zealand. Colombia's Ambassador to New Zealand, Isaura Duarte Rodríguez, and Massey University's Professor Leonel Alvarado join us in this episode to talk about the golden age of Latin American cinema, a reflection of life in the continent and touring the festival around New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Pushing through challenges in the sport and the industry in New Zealand, martial arts clubs like Kings Academy continue to support up and coming fighters to pursue their dreams of making it to international MMA rings. In this episode we go behind club doors to chat about strategy, gym culture, and what it takes to train champions with coach Vahid Unesi, and fighters Mose Afoa and Arshia Ebadi. Produced by Kadambari Raghukumar. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Every year, swimmers gather in Alexandra, South Island, united in sheer mental grit. No wetsuit. No neoprene. Just a standard swimsuit, a cap, and a ton of endurance. Laetitia Berten, director of the Ice Swimming Championships joins us in this episode to talk about how she got into the sport - and why. This episode was made by Claire Concannon and Kadambari Raghukumar. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

North of Auckland, Warkworth has seen an influx of people from a specific Pacific nation –all there for a very particular reason. A community built from scratch thanks to one man and his vision. Phil Vine with this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Since forming in 2017, food redistribution charity EKTA has had more volunteers join and has seen steady growth - but the queues of people it serves has almost doubled. Keeping it all going in the face of a cost crisis, are it's reliable force of volunteers, often made of a mix of people - new migrants, refugees, retirees to former beneficiaries of the charity's help. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Often when diaspora or indigenous communities interact with civic spaces—hospitals, libraries, universities—the architecture itself can sometimes either signal belonging or a sense of alienation. Three Resene Student Design Award winners want to shift this by centering more Pasifika values and concepts into built environments and housing in New Zealand, to reflect the diversity of people that inhabit them. This episode features Mila Makasini, Amelia Lee Chee and Sarah McLeod-Venu in conversation with Kadambari Raghukumar. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Samantha Krieg went from chef de partie at one of Canada’s top restaurants by age 20, to a doctoral research in structural engineering and earthquake resilience, at the University of Canterbury. Underpinning in all, was a feminist passion for shifting gender bias and breaking barriers for women at the workplace. The Order of the White Rose scholarship recipient, joins Kadambari Raghukumar in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

L'Aurore a bilingual French English class has been seeing an growing interest in Christchurch with some parents wanting to raise their children in full immersion of the language. Rachel Graham went to check out how it all works. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Professor Alex Tan's entire life's work has centred around creating 'sophisticated citizenry' when it comes to global issues and awareness, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region. He spoke to Rachel Graham in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mandy Bell fled the immigration crackdown in the US with her Kiwi husband and their two children, and Sara Gibson watched from Auckland as protestors in her Minnesota hometown were killed by ICE agents. Gwen McLure speaks to them in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Creating platforms where independent writers' works can be amplified and shared, is what drives spaces like Spoor and Nowhere, some of Auckland's up and coming bookstores featuring writers from across Asia. In this episode, Blessen Tom chats with the people behind the bookstores. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It wasn't until Francesca Contaldo lived in New Zealand that she actually began to explore the realms of ancient tattoo art from her part of Italy, Puglia. In this second episode on tattooing, she joins Kadambari Raghukumar to chat about how that came to be. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Khmer connection runs deep for Cambodia-born tattooist Buntheun who joins us in this episode to talk about exploring the ritualistic art in his homeland. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Brothers Tapan and Donny Mukerji became part of the Big Buddy programme to mentor boys without father figures in their lives and found their lives changing for the better, alongside. There are currently more than 100 boys across Auckland waiting to be matched with a Big Buddy through this programme and the brothers hope more men will consider stepping forward. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Africa Day is marked in May and this year Kadambari Raghukumar is out meeting people dedicated to strengthening community wellbeing understanding of mental health. This episode features DRC born Genevieve Kayembe and Zimbabwe-born Dr Michelle Musakwa. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Every year, Kai Rotorua's kumara harvest attracts a group of volunteers keen to connect with sustainable practices and te ao Maori. This year, the harvest circle widened even further, with students from across South Asia joining the mahi on a spring day. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

That moment when 'ink kisses paper' is every letterpress artist's most anticipated. In this episode, Kadambari Raghukumar revisits a Wellington printery that's been working with the craft for over 60 years. She's joined by book historian Sydney Shep, archivist and Guy Ngan's daughter Liz Ngan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In her latest work, A Chop that Breathes, printmaker Kerry Ann Lee incorporates letterpress and typographic ornaments that once belonged to artist Guy Ngan. Talking of her longstanding love for type and letterpress as a tool for exploring stories of identity, Kerry Ann Lee joins Kadambari Raghukumar in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Music, mental health and a real ‘maker’ mentality – key words in everyday life for Carlos Reigelhuapt Landreani, who is exploring new frontiers of using music therapy for mental health and treatment. There are fewer than 100 registered music therapists across New Zealand, and in this episode, the Nicaragua-born registered therapist talks about how he arrived at this relatively uncommon career choice. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Cuba has been under US trade sanctions since 1962 and the past few months have further challenged the Caribbean nation, with tightened economic blockades by America. University of Canterbury lecturer Dr Josephine Varghese and Ambassador Luis Morejon Rodriguez talk to Kadambari Raghukumar in this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week, from RNZ's Country Life, Gianina Schwaneke takes us from Italy to Wellington's south coast. Growing and eating great food is central to the Cuccurullo family who've been cultivating tomatoes from seeds first sourced in Capri in the 1960's. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Booker Prize winner of 2022, Shehan Karunatilaka is in conversation with Kadambari Raghukumar about his plans after returning to New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Rajni Kumar landed in New Zealand from small-town Punjab about 20 years ago with zero English and no idea what she would end up doing for work. Over the years since, she's grown her thriving seedling business from ground up – NZ Veggies, successfully navigating the landscape and language all at once. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The bombings on Iran come after weeks of negotiations between Iran and US. Iranians living in New Zealand talk to Kadambari Raghukumar about their views on the war that's killed over 1000 people so far. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Born in Japan, Mayu Tangaito traveled across the globe to join the Royal New Zealand Ballet 2012. She’s since become one of the most recognizable faces of New Zealand ballet. In this episode she talks to Kadambari Raghukumar about making a come back after injuries and becoming a mother. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Multi-instrumentalist Esmail Fathi grew up during the early years of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, when most music came under a ban. In Christchurch, today he leads the Persian traditional music ensemble Simurgh—alongside fellow multi-instrumentalist Liam Oliver. In this episode Esmail reflects on a wealth of his memories, at a time of turmoil and transition in Iran. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Enhancing aural and oral health in New Zealand is what's been driving selector, curator and DJ GoldTooth after migrating from the UK. In this episode, GoldTooth talks to Kadambari Raghukumar about growing up as Eelam Tamil immersed in the global sounds of London. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

From Rio Grande Do Sul in southern Brazil, singer and musician Henrique Morales joins Kadambari in this episode of Back to Basics - sounds that he grew up with. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Back to Basics delves into the foundational music artists grew up with, before moving to New Zealand. In this episode, Kadambari Raghukumar is in conversation with Auckland-based, Nigeria-born singer Ch!nonso. From Ijebu Pleasure club to releasing music under his own name, Ch!nonso is now an unmistakable voice in Auckland’s music scene with a style that bridges his worlds. Starting off in church choirs and university boy bands in Nigeria, Ch!nonso was a 2025 APRA Silver Scroll finalist in New Zealand with artist Mazbou-Q's 'Torque'. So, when we go back to basics what were the foundational sounds for Ch!nonso? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

To wrap up the year, some of the conversations on the podcast that took us from Trinidad to Spain and Germany to Zimbabwe - some of our fave Here Now episodes from across the year. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Growing up, Ankur Bassi was certain he would one day play cricket for India, and he worked hard every day to get there. But a freak injury meant it would never happen. So, Ankur found a new dream - as a coach - and a new home, too, at Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club in Wellington, New Zealand. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Dalmatian community in Auckland has embedded itself in Westie Culture, but it wasn’t always so. The Dallies as they call themselves have faced considerable discrimination, bias and resistance - Phil Vine with this episode. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A marathon in its second year brings Kiwis and Afghans together - former refugees, community members, and allies—who are crossing the finish line not just for themselves, but to keep a vital movement alive, celebrating Afghan culture one stride at a time. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Self-published children’s author and a keen student of the local Salsa Club, Argentina-born Adriana Litchfield joins Justine Murray to talk about her culture and creative outlets in a new community. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Today, in Darfur, we are seeing history tragically repeat itself as the RSF carries out atrocities across the region. From afar in NZ, families who once escaped the violence of 2003, share a sense of grief and hope over the current conflict in Sudan. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Nelson makes cheese the way their family would - in Italy. Flavia and Flavio Spena made a career shift along to bring Italian tradition to the region and have successfully turned their artisan cheese brand into a local hit. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

30 years ago a set of instruments from Bali were brought to University of Canterbury and formed the first Gamelan ensemble in Christchurch, under the guidance of Professor Elaine Dobson. Three decades on, after a short period of disuse the ensemble was reestablished in 2017 under Justin DeHart and celebrates a milestone this month. The podcast features Prof Justin DeHart and I Made Kartawan who's visiting from Bali, where he is faculty at ISI - The Indonesian Institute of Arts. Gamelan is cultural taonga with spiritual roots in the Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim histories of the islands of Bali, Java and Sumatra. With its hypnotic and sometimes haunting sounds, the Gamelan makes for quite a remarkable sight - a set of percussive instruments intricately carved, sometimes painted bright red and gold, and struck with hammer-like mallets. Gamelan is more than just music or entertainment but a seen as a vehicle for spiritual connection and an integral part of rituals, worship and tradition. Go to this episode on…

Filmmaker Shamin Yazdani tackles a personal dilemma in her latest documentary - to freeze her eggs or not. She chats to Kadambari Raghukumar about the journey she went on as she explores the topic through conversation with some close ones. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A collective of former refugee women come together in Christchurch to share stories, kai and community. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As home-based early childcare picks up in popularity, Barnardos-employed mother and daughter duo Iman and Hanin Taqieh speak about how it helped change their lives as new mums. Making shifts in their careers to become homebased educators was a decision that gave them flexibility and purpose after their family moved here from Jordan. Hanin Taqieh is community coordinator with Barnardos where she leads the home-based portfolio supporting over 40 home-based educators in Auckland – including her own mum Iman, who's herself, been with Barnardos for twenty years as an educator. In this episode - what's the incentive, both for parents and educators? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Last week, New Zealand upped its ante by lowering the cap on Russian crude oil as part of its sanctions, while about 20,000 people rallied in Auckland calling for sanctions against Israel. In this episode, what's the sentiment on the ground when it comes to sanctions against Israel and Russia? Kadambari Raghukumar talks to Alex Kirichuk, Taimor Hazou, Katrina Mitchell Kouttab and Juliet Moses. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Breaking Bread this week features Kadambari Raghukumar in conversation with Agha Naqshbandi and his wife Wahida Niazi, who are mastering with pride, their Afghan skills of breadmaking in the South Island. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The humble pide, is a historic staple from Anatolia and at this bakery in West Auckland, Mustafa Suphy and Anil Ozbal sing praises of their Turkish traditions of baking while enjoying a fresh pide, washing it down with a Turkish coffee. Credits: Video and images: DOP/Editor - Craig Gladding Director/ Producer - Ka Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

No Ethiopian meal is complete without this fermented staple accompaniment and in today’s podcast, Kadambari Raghukumar is breaking bread with her Ethiopian friends in West Auckland at Goju, with injera. Credits: Video and images: DOP/Editor - Craig Gladding Director/ Producer - Kadambari Raghukumar Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This one's for the carb connoisseurs amongst us - Breaking Bread features our community's beloved bakers and in this first part, master baker Meinolf Kraeling is in conversation with Kadambari Raghukumar, about his deeply ingrained German love for bread. Credits: Video and images: DOP/Editor - Craig Gladding Director/ Producer - Kadambari Raghukumar Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

What started out an a backyard experiment for Nelson-based Yuki Fukuda, her patch of rice paddy is now showing promise of growing further. Yuki’s an ecologist and is deeply concerned with the state of world when it comes to climate change. Growing food, rice, particularly, is an extension of her consciousness around the topic Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details