NZ in lockdown: Seven podcasts to help cure the boredom

Seven podcasts to keep you entertained while NZ is in lockdown. Photo / 123rf

Since the nationwide lockdown has begun, you might be wondering how to while away the long hours while also keeping up to date with everything that's going on: listening to a podcast or seven to keep you entertained might be just what you're after.

Here are a few of our picks to get you started. So grab a cuppa, curl up on the couch - or multi-task with a workout or cleaning binge - and get your daily fix of entertainment with these podcasts available for free on iHeartRadio.

Girls On Top (The Hits)

Need some yarns with the girls while you're stuck with your isolation group? Caitlin Marett, Gracie Taylor and Brodie Kane have you covered. They chat with women in the know for insightful conversations about anything from dating, achieving career goals and living with a chronic illness.

Ted Talks Daily

Sometimes all you need is a bit of motivational wisdom to stay sane when the world feels like it's metaphorically on fire. Press play on one of the daily curated Ted Talks while you're deep cleaning your kitchen or wanting a friendly voice to tell you everything is going to be just fine. One of the latest episodes from Susan David lets listeners know how to be their best selves in a time of crisis.

Modern Love (The New York Times)

Narrated by the comforting dulcet tones of famous actors, Modern Love is essential listening for people craving the comfort of a love story. The best part? They're true stories. It's based on the weekly New York Times column where readers share their personal essays about romance, relationships, and revelations. It even inspired a TV show starring Anne Hathaway.

The Rewatchables (The Ringer)

Listen, there are only so many old classic movies you'll have time to watch during this time, and luckily there's a podcast that will help with that. Helmed by HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons, the show brings together a roundtable of film critics to discuss the movies they can't stop watching, like Castaway and The Breakfast Club.

A Moment In Crime (NZ Herald)

Staying indoors for the better part of a month is the perfect opportunity to catch up on the best true crime has to offer, and you don't have to look far beyond A Moment In Crime. Crime reporter Anna Leask delves into some of New Zealand's biggest cases. It's on a break until mid-April, but there's plenty of episodes to catch up on in the meantime.

Brains On! Science podcast for kids (American Public Media)

For the parents out there with curious children, this podcast will help satisfy their thirst for knowledge and may answer the long list of questions they have about how things work or why things happen. The latest episode stresses the importance of social distancing in the fight against coronavirus and explains it in an accessible way for young children.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ears edition

There's a political talk show hole in the world at the moment since many of the American shows shut down production. For Trevor Noah fans, his podcast is still going, and his commentary on politics is as entertaining as ever. Perfect for a mix of comedy and current affairs.