
The Detail
Join The Detail team six days a week as they make sense of the big stories with the country’s best journalists and experts.
Latest episodes

Jun 18, 2025 • 23min
The thinking way to win a war
Innovation in warfare features in Ukraine's David and Goliath fight with Russia …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Jun 17, 2025 • 25min
Funeral costs in the spotlight
Even funeral directors believe death could be done better, but how to achieve that is up for debateA funeral bill is one you never want to have to pay, but there's a push to make the whole ordeal cheaper and better…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Jun 16, 2025 • 23min
Rural innovation sets the scene for New Zealand's future
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.

Jun 15, 2025 • 24min
Van Velden steers WorkSafe toward a softer touch
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

Jun 13, 2025 • 25min
Chasing butterflies
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

Jun 12, 2025 • 22min
In its 57th year Fieldays is still a hit for farmers across the country
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

Jun 11, 2025 • 24min
New Zealand's predator-free future in peril
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.

Jun 10, 2025 • 25min
America's foreign student fiasco
In this insightful discussion, Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative and former international student, joins Chris Whelan, Chief Executive of Universities New Zealand. They delve into the implications of U.S. policies on international students, examining the struggles they face and the potential for New Zealand to attract them as an alternative. The conversation reveals how domestic challenges in the U.S. present opportunities for New Zealand, emphasizing the significance of international students in enriching educational environments and boosting the economy.

Jun 9, 2025 • 25min
The electricity evangelist spreading the solar message
Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa and advocate for electrification, joins political and climate change reporter Mark Dulda. They discuss the crucial shift New Zealand must make from fossil fuels to electric solutions. Homeowners play a pivotal role in cutting emissions, and myth-busting around electrification of household appliances is key. The conversation also dives into the solar power landscape, addressing challenges and innovations in financing solar technology and promoting public education on the benefits of going electric.

Jun 8, 2025 • 24min
NZ's mean testing creep
The issue on how to save on superannuation is a political no-go, with one gallery editor describing the debate as 'uranium wrapped in barbed wire'Means testing is being introduced on a wide range of benefits. Questions are being asked over how long it will be before superannuation is targeted.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details