Smart Talk: Recent Episodes
RNZ
The 2022 Read NZ Te Pou Muramura Panui features the eminent writer Dame Fiona Kidman talking about her life as a reader and writer.
Fifty years ago, the Polynesian Panthers Party led a revolution against what it argued was the rampant racism of 1970s Aotearoa. Dr Melani Anae explores the impact of the Panthers movement on herself and New Zealand society.
By looking to the stars we can understand where we came from and how we came to be. Dr Jan Eldridge explains how the different death throes of stars create what's needed for life.
Conspiracists often claim that a shadowy cabal is in control of the world. But is it actually corporations? Nation states? Markets? Or no-one in particular? Dr Guy Fiti Sinclair explores the options.
The term 'Long Covid' was coined in May 2020 but the virus became a pandemic before the most common post-viral condition was taken seriously. Dr Anna Brooks explores what we now know about it.
The perils of data-driven design are explored by Dr Angus Campbell. (A highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar talk series)
Dr Kiri Dell from Auckland University's Business School explores what Maori and Pakeha need to consider for the journey towards revitalisation of te reo Maori to become a reality. A highlight of the 2022 Raising the Bar season..
Julie Stout describes how Auckland could connect in the future to the wairua and cultures that make up Tamaki Makaurau. One of the highlights of Auckland University's Raising the Bar 2022.
Community health expert Dr Peter Saxton explores the balancing act of keeping New Zealand's blood supply safe from infectious diseases while ensuring we have enough donors and can uphold our values as a progressive, inclusive nation. (A highlight from the University of Auckland's Raising the Bar series)
What's with all the stockouts and empty shelves? Dr Tava Olsen from the University of Auckland Business School with a highlight of Raising the Bar 2022.
Charlotte Yates explores the history of her series of musical collaborations between contemporary composers and the work of New Zealand's finest writers at the 2021 Going West Festival.
Tongan, Samoan and Palagi poet Karlo Mila reads from her book The Goddess Muscle and Fijian poet Daren Kamali performs his poetry and accompanies himself on traditional Fijian musical instruments.
A Clear Dawn: New Asian Voices from Aotearoa New Zealand introduces three new literary voices exploring Asian experiences and identities in Aotearoa. A highlight of Verb Wellington 2021.
Well-known children's author Kyle Mewburn talks with Jane Arthur about her life, which has recently changed radically. (A highlight from the 2021 Verb Readers and Writers Festival in Wellington)
Unsheltered is the riveting story of one mother’s search for her child across a climate-ravaged continent in a dystopian future. Clare Moleta talks with Pip Adam about her inspirations.
In a personal address tracing a lifetime of reading, the renowned playwright Renée explores the power of literature, and its role in shaping her own professional and imaginative worlds.
Marketing expert Assoc. Prof. Bodo Lang explains what word of mouth is, why it works, and how much it can be trusted. And he reveals that whether it's online or face to face really matters.
How could DNA improve our health? Prof. Justin O'Connor advocates sequencing the genomes of all the 60,000 children born in NZ each year. A highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar series.
Ali Lowrey talks about the future of winemaking in this highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar Home Series.
Dr Helen Murray explores the relationship between repetitive head injuries, contact sport and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a progressive brain disease that causes dementia.
Assoc. Prof. Matheson Russell explores different models for democracy in action during an era of unprecedented polarisation. His focus? Sortition. A highlight of Raising the Bar Home Edition.
Prof. Andrew Shelling sorts fact from fiction when it comes to 'blaming your genes,' and discusses the role of genetic testing in controlling common diseases. From Raising the Bar Home Edition.
What does it mean to be Pākehā today? Prof. Alison Jones from the University of Auckland talks to the University of Canterbury's Jeanette King in this highlight of WORD Christchurch 2021.
Mark Solomon, the former kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Ngāi Tahu's governing council, speaks with Nic Lowe about leadership in this highlight of WORD Christchurch 2021.
Two crime writers - Jacqueline Bublitz and Paul Cleave - discuss how they create memorable stories in this highlight of 2021's Word Christchurch festival.
At the time of the COP26 summit held in Glasgow, Kim Hill speaks with journalist Tom Doig and veteran scientist Dave Lowe about the climate crisis. A highlight of 2021 Word Christchurch.
Dr Hinemoa Elder, Kyle Mewburn, Anjum Rahman, Julie Zarifeh and Emily Writes explore very different aspects of courage and adventure in their lives. They talk with Jo Malcolm.
In 2001, the Norwegian freighter Tampa - crammed with more than 400 asylum-seekers rescued from a sinking fishing boat - was turned away from Australia. Abbas Nazari, aged seven, was onboard.
Ian Rankin, the creator of Inspector Rebus, talks live from Edinburgh with New Zealand crime writer Vanda Symon at Word Christchurch 2021.
Christchurch barber Mataio (Matt) Brown wrote She is Not Your Rehab with his wife Sarah. They discuss the book and the global anti-violence movement it has spawned at 2021 WORD Christchurch.
Unionist Helen Kelly left a huge impact on New Zealand's political and industrial landscapes. Helen's biographer Rebecca Macfie speaks with Jo Malcolm about her life, times and legacy.
Ben Brown (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa) speaks about the power of imagination and its deep roots in te ao Māori at the 2021 WORD Christchurch Festival.
Sound historian Sarah Johnston explores 100 years of radio in a talk at the National Library, focusing on the early decades and the innovative World War II radio Mobile Unit recordings.
In an update of his 2017 talk, Prof. Peter O'Connor explores the complexities of terrorism from an educator's perspective. From the online version of Auckland University's Raising the Bar.
Marketing expert Dr Mike Lee has kept a ten-year watch on the anti-vaccination movement. In this illuminating talk, he explores how we could develop herd immunity against harmful misinformation.
Science communicator Siouxsie Wiles spoke about Covid-19, conspiracy theories and how being a goth teenager led her into microbiology, at the 2021 NZ International Science Festival.
A team of experts discuss the future of gene editing to control pests, and how it connects with mātauranga Māori. A highlight of the NZ International Science Festival from July 2021.
Angler Dougal Rillstone and surfer Derek Morrison talk to fellow explorer Bruce Ansley about their love for the wild places of Aotearoa.
Prof. Jacinta Ruru talks with fellow Māori academics about being Māori in a university. A highlight of 2021's Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival.
Jared Savage and Steve Braunias explore the art of crime writing in Aotearoa. Rob Kidd chairs this highlight of 2021's Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival.
Lynn Freeman talks with Becky Manawatu about her acclaimed debut novel Auē in this highlight of 2021's Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival.
The emerging author HG Parry writes complex and engaging fantasy novels. She talks to Lynn Freeman about reinventing the 18th century in this highlight of 2021's Dunedin Writers Festival.
Master storyteller Witi Ihimaera talks with Jacinta Ruru about Navigating the Stars: Māori Creation Myths, in which he explores Māori history and identity through its mythology.
Lisa Reihana, Ane Tonga, Scott Lawrie and Deborah Rundle discuss a time of change for visual art with Claire Ulenberg at Creative Matakana. Recorded in May 2021.
A panel at Wanaka's Festival of Colour considers whether taxation is love. Lynn Freeman talks to Max Rashbrooke, Prof. Lisa Marriott and Shamubeel Eaqub in April 2021.
Lynn Freeman talks about democracy with Max Rashbrooke, Oliver Hartwich and Katherine Errington in this highlight from Wanaka's Festival of Colour in April 2021
A trans-Tasman panel explores how e-commerce can operate in an environmentally sustainable way. Paul Barclay hosts this ABC discussion with experts from NZ and Australia.
Huge strides in the care of pre-term babies have been made in the last few decades. Prof. Frank Bloomfield reports on this history, and current research, in this Raising the Bar 2021 highlight.
In a Covid-19 era of fevered concern about health, why is health education in schools not done better? Assoc. Prof Katie Fitzpatrick considers why at Raising the Bar 2021.
Since the 1950s researchers have known psychedelic drugs could have medical applications, but what of research today? Associate Professor Suresh Muthukumaraswamy talks at Raising the Bar 2021.
A brown girl is in the ring. Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath (the co-Head of the School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies) explores life as a Pasifika academic. A highlight from Raising the Bar 2021.
How safe is vaping as an alternative to smoking? The bioengineer Dr Kelly Burrowes talks about what current research shows in this highlight from the Auckland University's Raising the Bar 2021.
The astrophysicist Dr Nicholas Rattenbury talks about how alien life might be discovered on alien worlds in this highlight from the 2021 season of Auckland University's popular Raising the Bar event.
Associate Law Professor Scott Optican on the legality of court evidence obtained by different undercover policing techniques in New Zealand. A highlight of Auckland University's Raising the Bar 2021.
Celebrating 50 years of the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, five writer read their letters to New Zealand's most famous author. A highlight of Word Christchurch 2020.
Pip Adam discusses her novel Nothing to See - one of the most talked-about books of 2020 - with Carl Shuker in this highlight of the 2020 Word Christchurch Spring Festival.
In 'Breath of the Birds' Dame Gillian Whitehead discusses the origin of taonga puoro, their revival, and how she has used traditional Māori musical instruments in her compositions.
Eileen Merriman and Carl Shuker discuss their novels A Mistake and The Silence of Snow, which take medical mishaps as a starting point. A highlight of the 2020 Word Christchurch Spring Festival.
New Zealand's leading poet of this generation, Bill Manhire, talks to John Campbell in this highlight of the 2020 Word Christchurch Writers Spring Festival.
Philip Armstrong's poetry and Laura Jean McKay's award-winning novel The Animals in That Country feature animals as significant characters. The authors talk at 2020 Word Christchurch.
From a childhood fascination with cooking, to possum trapping and living off the land as a hunter and forager, Annabel Langbein has always been obsessed with food. A 2020 Word Christchurch highlight.
Farid Ahmed talks about his wife Husna, who died in the terror attacks in Christchurch on 15 March 2019. A moving highlight of the 2020 Word Christchurch Spring Festival.
Elizabeth Knox talks to Noelle McCarthy about her most recent novel The Absolute Book. A highlight of the 2020 Word Christchurch Spring Festival.
Hosted by John Campbell, some of Word Christchurch's most distinguished writers respond to the theme of courage: Behrouz Boochani, Laura Jean McKay, and Witi Ihimaera. The second of two hours.
Hosted by John Campbell, some of Word Christchurch's most distinguished writers respond to the theme of courage: Elizabeth Knox, Mohamed Hassan and Becky Manawatu. The first of two hours.
Four adventurous women discuss their lives with Miriama Kamo in the opener to the 2020 WORD Christchurch writers' festival
In a powerful address, Lyttelton poet Ben Brown explores the impact of deprivation and cultural estrangement on generations of our boys, as well as the redemptive power of words.
Kim Hill chairs panel discussion about the measurement of climate change with Prof. Donna Strickland, Dr Thomas Baer and Prof. David Hutchinson.
An Election 2020 debate on the arts, with MPs from National, Labour and the Greens exploring their policy differences and similiarities. Miriama Kamo is in the chair.
Nations United explores the significance of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. In the midst of a pandemic radically transforming our world, it sets out what must be done.
Writer John Bluck shares a very personal perspective on how moviegoing in New Zealand reflects our character, history and preoccupations.
John Bluck explores the past, future, and current state of lawnmowing in a light-hearted but informative talk in six closely-cropped chapters.
The University of Auckland's Assoc. Prof. Siouxsie Wiles explains how glowing superbugs help in the development of new medicines to fight infection. From Raising the Bar 2020.
An informal talk from Prof. Darl Kolb about the experience of working from home, recorded during 2020's online version of the University of Auckland's Raising the Bar series.
Meng Foon talks with author Chris McDowall, and contributors Nadine Anne Hura and Veronika Meduna about an Atlas of Aotearoa in this highlight from the 2020 New Zealand Festival Writers' programme.
12 months after the Christchurch terror attacks, Guled Mire chairs an NZ Festival discussion with Alison Whittaker and Nyadol Nyuon from Australia, and Anahera Gildea and Jack McDonald from Aotearoa.
Cardiac surgeon Samer Nashef talks with Carl Shuker about risk, mistakes and how heart surgery has changed in this highlight from the 2020 New Zealand Festival writers' programme.
Kristen Ghodsee and Marilyn Waring talk to Kathryn Ryan about the fight for valuing women's economic contribution to society - at the 2020 New Zealand Festival writers' programme.
Serhii Plokhy argues that the catastrophe at Chernobyl was a nuclear disaster waiting to happen. He talks to Toby Manhire.
Bart van Es discusses The Cut Out Girl, his remarkable true story of how a Jewish girl in the Netherlands was hidden by his family from the Nazis during World War II.
Jokha Alharthi, the Omani author of Celestial Bodies, talks about her literary world and what winning the Man Booker International prize has meant for Arabic literature and for herself.
Two very different books celebrate the importance of scent and sensory experience in coming to terms with loss. The authors Laurence Fearnley and Long Litt Woon talk with Jessie Bray-Sharpin.
Kim Hill speaks with Dr Kristen Ghodsee about her book Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism in this highlight from the 2020 New Zealand Arts Festival writers' programme.
Kinley Salmon, the New Zealand economist and author of Jobs, Robots & Us, talks about the future of work in a time of rapidly-developing automation. A 2020 New Zealand Arts Festival highlight.
At the NZ Arts Festival 2020, Rebecca Priestley talks about Antarctica with the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor Juliet Gerrard.
At the NZ Arts Festival 2020, RNZ's Lynn Freeman talks to Rajorshi Chakraborti about his novel Shakti, a fantastical story which has insights into the real-life world of India today.
Thomas Sainsbury talks with Louisa Wall MP, Prof. Welby Ings, Professor Emeritus Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, and award winning artist and filmmaker Tanu Gago.
The history and current trends in economics, and Bhutan's alternative to GNP, is discussed by Dr Ross McDonald from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
The current and future uses of robots in health care and education is discussed by Dr Craig Sutherland from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
The interrelationship between the history of propaganda and our world of digital surveillance is discussed by Dr Ethan Plaut from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
The pros and cons of legalising cannabis is explored by Professor Benedikt Fischer from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
Corruption at government level and within society is discussed by Assoc. Prof. Tim Kuhner from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
The increasingly Pacific nature of New Zealand society is explored by Assoc. Prof. Damon Salesa from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
Beauty treatments for women during the Renaissance are discussed by Dr Erin Griffey from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
The role of gut bugs in health is explored by Dr Wayne Cutfield from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
Mohamed Alansari explores what he has learnt from his research on learning in a digital world. Recorded at the Raising the Bar night in partnership with the University of Auckland.
The current and future impact of 3D printing is discussed by Prof Olaf Diegel from the University of Auckland during the 2019 Raising the Bar night.
Kim Hill explores what life is, where it began and what conditions it needs with two astrobiologists, an expert in microbial evolution, and an expert in Matauranga Maori, at Auckland University.
Noelle McCarthy talks about the environment and environmental politics with film director James Cameron, and Dunedin's new Mayor, Aaron Hawkins. Recorded at Otago Museum.
Noelle McCarthy talks with the film director James Cameron about his passion for exploring the natural world, and its connection to his career in cinema. This event was recorded at Otago Museum.
Dayle Takitimu and Glenis Philip-Barbara discuss colonisation and doctrine of discovery. Alex Perrottet is in the chair.
Assoc. Prof. Avril Bell & Anne McGuire talk about what Pākeha identity means with Alex Perrottet.
Reading and writing in the digital era is celebrated by Lani Wendt Young, who charts the increase in brown, Pacific and LGBTQ voices. More people then ever are reading what speaks directly to them.
The New Zealand Wars are discussed by historian Vincent O'Malley and Mihingarangi Forbes in front of an audience at Te Papa.
Kim Hill discusses the complexities of packaging and waste with four experts - Sharon Humphreys, Mike Sammons, Prof. Juliet Gerrard, and Assoc. Prof. Xiaomeng Wu.
Kim Hill explores the true cost of abundant cheap, fatty and sugary food with Dr Sally Mackay, Dr Matire Harwood, Deborah Manning and Prof. Hugh Campbell.
Guyon Espiner talks at Parliament with Dr Bridgette Toy-Cronin, Justice Forrest Miller and Leo Watson. Recorded in July 2019 in association with the University of Otago.
Guyon Espiner talks with a panel of University of Otago experts: Associate Professor Janet Stephenson, Dr Ben France-Hudson. Dr Caroline Orchiston and Professor Lisa Ellis.
In this fourth panel discussion Tairawhiti Museum director Eloise Wallace talks with cultural heritage expert Karl Johnstone. Alex Perrottet is in the chair.
In this third panel discussion, Dr Jill Chrisp and Karen Johansen discuss with Alex Perrottet how their life together is affected by their families being on the opposite sides of Gisborne history.
Alex Perrottet talks with "recovering racist" Andrew Newton and local body candidate Meredith Akuhata-Brown about race, colonisation, and identity. Recorded on location in Gisborne's Smash Palace.
Alex Perrottet talks with Dr Wayne Ngata and Mai Chen about race, colonisation, and identity from the different perspectives of tangata whenua and tauiwi. Recorded in Gisborne's Smash Palace.