Afternoons RNZ Radio

This week's critter is the ro, also known as the smooth stick insect, whe or Clitarchus hookeri - our most common native stick insect. Smooth stick insects have a range of superpowers: as well as actually looking like sticks, the females can reproduce without males. Their offspring will also be female and will also be able to reproduce solo.

Gardening guru Lynda Hallinan joins Mark to talk about all things in the garden at this time of the year.

Today chef, fish monger, author and district councillor Martin Bosley's with us to share a hearty warm winter recipe for gnocchi with beef ragu. You can find the recipe to make it at home here.

Today Dom talks to Mark about Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Crime is Mine and The Exorcism.

Each Friday we talk to our listeners about any eerie or unexplained incidents they've experienced. If you have a story of prescience or bizarre coincident along the lines of our Freaky Friday stories, please text 2101 or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz.

New Zealand is an ongoing battle against problematic introduced plant species' that threaten our native flora.  Niklas Erikson is a Senior Conservation Advisor for Auckland Council, he speaks to Mark.