Comedian and Seven Sharp reporter Ben Hurley explores whether there's a less painful alternative to being on hold.

'Please hold the line' - Ben Hurley dials up waiting music options

Call it music wallpaper, sonic engagement, or a painful earworm - hold music is big business.

September 11, 2024

4:38

"What's in a name?” William Shakespeare once asked. As it turns out, a lot. Comedian Ben Hurley takes a deep dive into names, and how to change yours if you don't like it.

Ben Hurley: What's in a name? A lot, if you don't like it

The comedian takes a deep dive into names — and how to change yours if you don't like it.

July 23, 2024

5:23

Hamilton rock and heavy metal band Devilskin definitely inhabit the darker end of music, writes comedian and Seven Sharp reporter Ben Hurley.

Hamilton and heavy metal: Ben Hurley gets under the skin of Devilskin

Seven Sharp's Ben Hurley meets the band that inhabits the darker end of music.

May 30, 2024

4:53

Comedian and Seven Sharp reporter Ben Hurley delves into the burgeoning digital literary scene.

Ben Hurley: Why are celebrity book clubs booming?

Ben Hurley looks into the growing global phenomenon of the celebrity book club.

May 20, 2024

4:53

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to a key component to fishing — a boat.

Ben Hurley: Gone fishing — offshore, thanks to an app

A tech-savvy method hooks keen anglers up with boats.

March 19, 2024

4:39

Ben Hurley is on a quest to find out what makes a good gastropub.

Bite and a pint: Ben Hurley digests what makes a good gastropub

In the spirit of the inaugural Gastropub Awards, Ben Hurley runs down the recipe for a good gastropub.

February 29, 2024

5:43

The kina population has exploded and the hungry herbivores are clearing out the sea floor.

Top that: Ben Hurley's answer to our exploding kina population

There is an overabundance of kina on our seabeds but something can be done to make these creatures earn a crust.

February 9, 2024

6:03

Sam Musty's love of cricket has transformed his life and career.

Ben Hurley, Mitchell Santner meet ultimate backyard cricketer

Sam Musty's love for turf has propelled him into an adjacent career.

February 5, 2024

4:52

The Coromandel Peninsula has been one of the most popular holiday spots for generations.

Ben Hurley: The great Coromandel comeback

The Coromandel Peninsula is beginning to thrive again.

February 1, 2024

6:34

December 2023
Taupo was crowned the supreme winner at this year's Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards.

Ben Hurley: What makes Taupō so beautiful?

Taupō recently took out the top spot in this year's Most Beautiful Cities and Towns Award.

December 7, 2023

3:54

November 2023
Three Kiwi friends are putting a twist on the centuries-old Scandinavian tradition of sauna.

Pop-up sauna project: Kiwi tradies combine both sea and sauna

The ancient tradition of sauna is not widely practised in New Zealand - Kiwis prefer bathing at the beach.

November 17, 2023

3:55

Tala is set to open in the Auckland suburb of Parnell.

The story behind Auckland's new Samoan fine dining restaurant

Tala is set to open in the Auckland suburb of Parnell.

November 8, 2023

3:45