August 14, 2025
Brian Warburton
(no address supplied)
Email: [FYI request #31768 email]
Tēnā koe Brian,
I am writing in response to your OIA request of 27 July. You sought:
For each of the programmes (Sunday Morning, The Panel, Afternoons) the definition of the
word "show" used by the presenter to describe their particular programme.
Jim Mora of Sunday Morning replied: I use ‘show’ because it stil sounds current but also has tradition
behind it. The use of ‘show’ in radio dates back to the 1920s when it inherited the concept from
vaudevil e and stage productions. Admittedly it has changed from the literal definition of ‘revealing’ or
‘demonstrating’, but so have words like catfishing, cloud, footprint, swipe, tweet, viral and – most
germanely – profile, which also once involved the use of the eyes.
Jesse Mul igan of Afternoons said: I use the word ‘show’ as a synonym for ‘programme’ and prefer it
as it the latter feels a little anachronistic for our conversational style of presentation.
Wal ace Chapman of The Panel agreed with both and had nothing further to add.
I trust this material satisfies your request.
You have a right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the above outcome.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku, nā
Andrew Holden
OIA officer
Radio New Zealand House Level 2 155 The Terrace PO BOX 123 Wellington 6140 New Zealand +64 4 474 1999 www.rnz.co.nz