Saturday Morning RNZ Radio

Kate De Goldi is one of New Zealand's most celebrated authors, an Arts Foundation Laureate, and a voracious reader. She joins Colin to share two novels she's loved; Tell by Jonathan Buckley and Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan.

This week marks forty years since Robert Muldoon's now-notorious, inebriated, snap election announcement which set in motion a seismic chain of events in New Zealand politics, the impacts of which still remain raw for many.

UK artist and gay rights activist Derek Jarman is best known for his defiantly provocative avant-garde films, including Caravaggio (1986) and The Garden (1990) starring longtime collaborator and muse Tilda Swinton. Jarman was also a prolific painter, writer, set designer, performer and gardener. He died 30 years ago at just 52 of an AIDS related illness - but remains hugely influential. Aotearoa's first ever exhibition of his work in opens at Auckland's Gus Fisher Gallery this week. Derek Jarman : Delphinium Days is co-curated by Lisa Beauchamp who joins us to talk about his life, art and creative legacy.

American cult expert Dr Janja Lalich knows from experience how paralysed a person can feel within a high-control group. In the late 70s and early 80s, she was a high-up member of a political cult called the Democratic Workers Party. Dr Lalich's advice to anyone interested in joining a new group is to slow down and do your research before signing up.

Former FBI director turned crime writer, James Comey, takes readers into the world of high finance and corporate espionage in his new thriller Westport.

With the exponential growth of AI-based technology many people are left wondering if their jobs will exist in the not-too-distant future.