Nights

You might have a unique gift for matching patterns and not even know it. Super-matchers are people with a extraordinary natural skill to successful match complex visual patterns without any training. These skills are highly sort after and are thought to be innate in about 3% of the population. Dr Bethany Growns from the University of Canterbury is keen for as many people as possible to take her test and find out if they have the super skills.

In just a few weeks' time 22 young explorers will depart on a three-week expedition to the remote South Georgia Island. One of those young explorers will be aviation meteorologist with Kelly Davenport who speaks to Nights about the adventure ahead of her.

New Zealand crowdfunding platform PledgeMe is celebrating a milestone, having just crossed the 70 million dollar-through-their-platform mark. It was reached thanks to a little help from an ethical underwear company - the latest to benefit from a crowdfunding campaign. PledgeMe co-founder Anna Guenther talks to Mark Leishman about the platform's success.

Seals have become regular visitors to Wellington of late, with one even forcing the cancellation of a train service in the Capital today after it found a resting spot on the tracks. DOC Ranger Tony Milner talks to Nights about what's behind the increase in sightings and what's the best thing to do if you come across one of the marine mammals.

It's been a best-seller in New Zealand and Australia, and a video of a Scottish granny reading it to her grandchildren went viral attracting more than 100 million views on YouTube. It's the much-loved Wonky Donkey series of books about a donkey with three legs. Now a fifth book is being released, The Stinky Wonky Donkey - author Craig Smith talks to Nights about what keeps him going and why people love his stories.

It may seem like a never-ending challenge but maintaining a tidy home can go a long way to helping a person's mental well-being. But what are the best strategies for creating and maintaining order and how can you make sure it doesn't tip over into an obsession? To help us answer those questions Mark Leishman talks to researcher and senior lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology Dr Taghreed Hikmet.

The BBC's Rich Preston is with us now with the news making the headlines around the world.

It's a board game that's been played for more than 1500 years but chess is on the rise in Taranaki. Chess is getting so popular in the region the New Plymouth Chess Club has added extra weekly playing sessions to keep up with a 25 percent growth in member. Now, the club is set to host its first national tournament in 31 years. To find out what's driving this chess boom, New Plymouth Chess Club president John Ansell speaks to Nights.

An Auckland bungy fanatic is hoping to restore national pride and recapture the world record he lost just last year. In 2022 Mike Heard set the world record for the most bungy jumps in a day with 430, which was beaten last year by Frenchman François-Marie Dibon who made 765 jumps. But in just over two weeks time Mike is aiming to take it back, aiming for 800 jumps off the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 24 hours. Mike speaks to Mark Leishman about his preparation and motivation for the jumping,

Once again the regions of Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti have been hammered by heavy rain. While the rain was expected to ease tonight, other parts of the North Island are now in for a drenching, while strong winds are set to buffet other areas. So for the latest on what we can expect, and when the worst of the weather will be over, Nights speaks to MetService Lead Meteorologist, Bill Singh.

Nights regular sports correspondent, Bryan Waddle. talks to Mark Leishman about the Australian's all but out of the Rugby World cup, how the All Blacks are shaping up, what is happening with the Silver Ferns and Liam Lawson continues to impress in Formula 1.

A Rotorua woman has proved that age is no barrier, becoming the oldest person to compete in the Miss Rotorua beauty pageant. Tiana Hodge, who is 77, made history at the event which started in back in 1947. She speaks to Anna Thomas about the experience and why age isn't a barrier

It's that time of the week when we check in with our resident film and tv expert Dan Slevin. Tonight he's got his eye on something to keep both the kids, and adults, entertained over the school holidays.

From the Springbok tour, to the Nuclear Free Movement political posters have been used as a call to arms. As part of Auckland's Heritage Festival Toby will be hosting a workshop exploring the history of protest posters in Aotearoa as well as teaching others how to draw their own. He speaks to Anna Thomas about what fascinates him about political posters and how they have helped shaped our history.

Aotearoa New Zealand springs forward this weekend, as Daylight Saving time begins. Clocks will go forward by one hour at 2 o'clock on Sunday morning. Sleep expert Dr Alex Bartle speaks to Nights about the effect losing an hour has on the body and our sleep patterns.

Small, spiky and elusive, researchers are hoping a citizen science project might help shed some more light on the Echidna. University of Adelaide professor Frank Grutzner leads the project and talks to Mark Leishman about why the egg laying marsupial is so mysterious.

A small piece of New Zealand is on its way to every member of the New Zealand Defence Force that will be deployed overseas this Christmas, thanks to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association. The parcels were packed near Trentham Military Camp today by a busy production line of `elves' including senior defence personnel, staff from the RNZRSA's National Office and volunteers from the New Zealand Defence Force. Chief Executive of the RNZRSA Marty Donoghue talks to Nights about the initiative.

It's not looking like a great start to the school holidays with heavy snow, strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms forecast over the coming days. To find out the latest Nights is joined by MetService Meteorologist Philippa Murdoch.

A region-wide state of emergency has been declared for Southland as the area copes with flooding from heavy rain. Emergency Management Southland group controller Simon Mapp talks to Mark Leishman about the latest on the situation.

On the same day New Zealand will be voting to decide its next government, Australians will be voting on a proposed change to their constitution. The Indigenous voice to government would enshrine a permanent representation and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Constitutional expert and a professor of law at the University of Canberra Kim Rubenstien explains how Australia ended up with a constitution and what changes the Voice will make.