1:15 Docking to be less of a pain in the back side for lambs!

The New Zealand Merino Company has told wool suppliers they will need to give lambs pain relief at docking by 2025.

Lambs tails are removed to prevent fly strike, which is more common in merino sheep.

Our regular rural commentator and farmer of 40 years Steve Wyn-Harris talks to Jesse about the change and what it means for farmers.

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Photo: RNZ/Sally Round

1:25 Bot battle show down in Blenheim

Sparks will fly in Blenheim this Saturday when metal monsters battle it out for robot supremacy.

The event is called 'Igniting Innovation: Combat Robotics', and it includes a robot building workshop followed by an action-packed battle bots competition.

Event organiser Louisa Murray talks to Jesse.

Igniting Innovation Robotics Event

Igniting Innovation Robotics Event Photo: techweek.co.nz

1:35 Workshops for bereaved children

It's Mother's day on Sunday, which for many is a lovely day to celebrate and for others a day that brings up grief.

Artist and photographer Deborah Smith has been running art workshops for bereaved children and teenagers for the last 15 years  - called Cloud Workshop.

Deb shares some insights ahead of Sunday with Jesse.

Sad child sitting in corner with teddy bear.

Photo: 123rf

1:45 Funding drive for project Whale Song

A funding drive is underway for a 12 million dollar project that would revitalise Wharemauku Park in Paraparaumu.

The centre piece of the project is Whale Song, a series of seven life-sized sculptures of humpback whales.

Those involved say the addition would acknowledge Kāpiti's whaling past and highlight the need to protect the environment.

Whale Song Pakake Waiata Charitable Trust chairman Marco Zeeman talks to Jesse.

Whale Song will be New Zealand’s largest public sculpture (artists image)

Whale Song will be New Zealand’s largest public sculpture (artists image) Photo: https://www.whalesong.kiwi

1.55 Freaky Friday

Each week we ask listeners to send in their stories of eerie coincidences, spooky encounters or inexplicable cases of prescience.

This week we have three stories that cover all of the above!

Shadow figure behind glass silhouette

Photo: 123RF

2:10 Film Review with Dom Corry

Today Dom talks to Jesse about Ben Afflick's sci-fi thriller Hypnotic and The Book Club: The Next Chapter - both are new in theatres this week.

2:20 NZ Live: Mohi

This week Mohi stops by our Auckland studio to play for NZ Live.

Last year Mohi was awarded Most Promising Emerging Artist of 2022 at the Waiata Māori Music Awards.

He's also just released a brand new single - which he'll be playing first here at RNZ.

MOHI

Photo: Seung-woo “Suggie” Hong

3:08 Roasted Cauliflower & Shallots with Double Cheese Crust

For our weekly recipe Shared Kitchen co-founder and chef Julie Biuso has a tasty dish that will tempt even the fussiest vegetable eaters to tuck in!

It's a delicious recipe for a roasted cauliflower with the addition of cheese and shallots to elevate it to a special side for many occasions - but also one that's bound to impress mums if you want to add something exquisite for mother's day. (Cauliflower are also not too expensive right now if you're on budget.)

You can find the recipe here.

Roasted Cauliflower Shallots with Double Cheese Crust

Roasted Cauliflower Shallots with Double Cheese Crust Photo: Julie Biuso

3:16 Music 101: Charlotte Ryan

Charlotte Ryan, host of Music 101 here on RNZ each Saturday afternoon from 1pm talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on her show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - she'll pick us a track to play.

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Photo: RNZ / Claire-Eastham Farrelly

3:25 Gardening with Tony Murrell

This week landscaper and gardener Tony Murrell talks to Jesse about planting large spaces and how to create an eye catching display. He also explains why you should never be tempted to remove frost damaged foliage on plants and why.

Spring frost damage in vineyard. Grapes frost damage. Frost Grape by slight frost winter injury.

Photo: 123rf

3:35 Critter of the Week: koekoeā or long-tailed cuckoo

This week we’re talking about the koekoeā or long-tailed cuckoo (Urodynamis taitensis) – an enigmatic native bird with an elegant long tail, a screeching call and some pretty strange breeding habits.

It’s the perfect critter to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday May 13th – the koekoeā spends winter in the Pacific Islands, returning to Aotearoa to breed in the spring. 

3:45 The Panel with Boopsie Maran and Chris Finlayson