Nights

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.

With it being Mental Health Awareness Nights nutrition expert Claire Turnbull wanted to look at ways to support people's mental wellbeing Research has shown that everything from sleep and physical exercise to what you eat has impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Hayden Donnell talked to Mark Leishman about coverage of the election ramping up. They looked at political reporters doggedly pursuing the National Party for the details of its tax plans - and party leaders picking and choosing interview opportunities. But first they talked about the first head-to-head live TV debate between Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon.

Preparations are well underway for the biggest Cook Island festival in the world - Te Maeva Nui Festival. The three day festival is the highlight in the calendar for the Cook Islands community and this year it will be held at the Trusts Arena in West Auckland. Joining Mark to talk about why it's such a special event is community podcaster and media talent Ernestina Poukia-Bonsu Maro.

Stewart Island Rakiura recorded a new high temperature for September today reaching 23.5°C, but it's not going to last long. Mark Leishman speaks to the island's grocer store operator Sam Jekinson.

In November British adventurer Sam Cox will begin his attempt to set a record-breaking Antarctica solo crossing of over 2000 kilometres. That's 500km further than the current record. He talks to Mark Leishman about what motivates someone to take on such an arduous and potentially dangerous journey.

Anorexia is often called the most fatal mental illness. But a therapy based on the healing power of horses can offer fresh hope. Dawn Marron a counsellor and eating disorder therapy coach talks to Mark Leishman about her equine facilitated therapy at a farm at Hira near Nelson.

A Rotorua woman has spent the past seven months tackling what she says is the city's "massive" litter problem. But despite her efforts she says the city's rubbish problem is getting worse. Tracey McLeod talks to Nights about why she's so motivated to tidy her hometown.

One of the first ever breed of sheep introduced to New Zealand is facing a very uncertain future. Arapawa sheep are thought to have been introduced to Arapaoa Island (formerly Arapawa Island) in the late 18th century, when two of the animals were gifted to resident Maori by Captain James Cook. Rare Breed society member and founder of Christchurch's Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Mike Willis talks to Mark Leishman about his concerns following a recent count of the sheep.

This year's annual Blossom Festival in Hastings being held over this Saturday and Sunday will be special for a couple of reasons. Not only is it being held as part of the city's 150 year anniversary celebrations, it's likely to be the last parade for one of it's biggest supporters. Kevin Watkins has been building floats for the annual parade since the 1950's but this year is likely to be the last time. He talks to Mark Leishman about why its time to sit back and enjoy the parade.

For the past 18 months staff and students at one Christchurch school have been battling foul-smelling air from a nearby waste processing plant. The ongoing air quality issues has led to students with existing health issues such as asthma staying at home. To help The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has donated forty air purifiers to give to family of those children with existing asthma and breathing issues. Principal Scot Kinely talks to Nights about the impact of the issue on the school's community.

Mark Leishman is joined by RNZ's political editor Jane Patterson to discuss the first leaders debate between Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and National Leader Christopher Luxon.

Protest in New Zealand has moved well beyond a march up the main street. Restore Passenger Rail protesters have cemented their hands to State Highway 1, and seriously defaced a car dealership in Wellington last week. Professor of Law at the University of Waikato Al Gillespie talks to Mark Leishman about how we should approach this form of protest.

The War of the Chimeras is the work of Ukrainian mother and daughter Mariia and Anastasiia Starozhytska. Released in 2017 it's a love story in real time, highlighting the human toll of the Russian occupation in eastern Ukraine. Mariia and Anastasiia speak to Nights about their experience of making the film as the occupation happened around them. https://docedge.nz/film-of-the-month/the-war-of-chimeras/

In a world where it's often difficult to talk about how we're feeling, or find someone to talk to - how easy is it to connect with others? Emily Turnbull is the founder of Chatterbox. She's come up with a simple tool to get us talking, and she wants to see one in every town in Aotearoa. She talks to Mark Leishman about her mission of helping New Zealanders to get better at talking about the 'big things'.

It was certainly a wild and windy weekend for many parts of the country with gusts in some gusts being recorded close to 200 kilometres per hour. And while there was a lull in those strong winds today conditions are expected to get worse over the rest of the week. To give us a full rundown of what to expect Nights speaks to MetService meteorologist Karl Loots.