1:15 Jingle Beatz concert celebrating Afro-Kiwi culture

Jingle Beatz is billed as Aotearoa's very first Afro-Kiwi Christmas concert.

It's coming up this Saturday at the Broken Lantern in Auckland, and it will feature a lineup of six artists performing with a six-piece band.

Two of the artists involved Jane Benney and Mazbou Q speak to Jesse.

Jingle Beatz flyer

Jingle Beatz flyer Photo: supplied

1:25 Last Renters documentary launched

The challenges of renting into retirement with the increasing cost of living is the subject of a new documentary out today.

Last Home Renters follows Rodney Patea, a pensioner based in Coromandel who is still renting.

For the documentary's director, there is a special connection to the project as she is Rodney's daughter,  Ness Patea speaks to Jesse.

Last Home Renters screenshot

Photo: supplied

1:35 Starting small - aiming high, AUT to grow it's own food

The saying "from small seeds grow mighty trees" could be applicable for our next interview.

What started as a way to replant native trees on a budget has grown into an impressive array of biodiversity projects at AUT's campus on Auckland's North Shore.

These include eco-sourcing seeds, establishing orchards, vegetable gardens and composting systems - and a plan for an integrated circular food system to support the cafe opening at the university next year.

At the helm is a man described as an all round nature superhero, AUT groundsman, Niven Winder.

Farmer's hand planting seeds in soil

Farmer's hand planting seeds in soil Photo: 123RF

1:45 Tech Tuesday with Daniel Watson

For today's Tech Tuesday we speak to owner and managing director of Vertech IT Services, Dan Watson, about his guide to tech giving this Christmas.

2:10 Book Critic: Catherine Ross

Today Mt Roskill Grammar Library Manager Catherine Ross has a great list of summer reads for younger people.

Today she reviews:

For ages 6-10 years: Whetū Toa and the Magician by Steph Matuku

For ages 8-12 years, Conrad Cooper's Last Stand by Leonie Agnew

For Ages 11/12+ Years Night Vision by Ella West

For Ages 13/14+ Years, Better the Blood by Michael Bennett, How to Loiter in a Turf War by Coco Solid, How to Be a Bad Muslim (Non-Fiction) by Mohamed Hassan.

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster

Brad Foster reports on the release of 148 migrants and refugees in Australian immigration detention centres following a High Court ruling and the government's efforts to re-detain those who are considered high risk to the community. He also details house price gains around the country in 2023, and talks rumours that Australian opening batsman David Warner will retire from test cricket at the end of this summer of cricket.

David Warner of Australia

David Warner of Australia Photo: PHOTOSPORT

2:30 Music feature: Janet Jackson

For our music feature today we're looking into the music and life of one of the world's best selling music artists.

Youngest in a family of 10 children, to the Queen of Pop, paving the way for black female artists in popular music, Janet Jackson is a pioneer of culture, dance, fashion female empowerment and the navigation of misogynoir.

Artist, producer, and musical powerhouse Zoe Moon is a mega Janet Jackson fan, she's talks us through the music and life of the Jackson sibling. 

Janet Jackson.

Janet Jackson. Photo: SCOTT GRIES

3:10 Around the World in 80 Games, the secrets of a great board game

"Tell me the game you play and I'll tell you who you are."

Simple rules, unpredictability, and the need for at least a little cunning strategy are what make a good game great.

Renowned mathematician Marcus du Sautoy reckons this is the winning formula for games from Scrabble to Snakes and Ladders to Chess.  He says the games we like reveal so much about who we are.

As Summer holidays begin and the game shelf is dusted off, Professor du Sautoy searches the globe for the best games going and reveals what he considers to be the perfect one to play in his new book, Around the World in 80 Games: A Mathematician Unlocks the Secrets of the Greatest Games.

Around the World in 80 Games book cover

Around the World in 80 Games book cover Photo: supplied

3:30 Spoken Feature: BBC Witness History

In 1987, a tea shop in Taiwan named Chun Shui Tang began selling pearl milk tea, or bubble tea, as it’s often called.

It would revolutionise the tea-drinking world.

Ben Henderson speaks to Liu Han-Chieh, the shop owner, and Lin Xiuhu, who first added the drink’s signature tapioca balls.

Bubble Tea

Bubble Tea Photo: Chun Shui Tang

3:45 The Panel with Ali Mau and Liam Hehir