Southern Stories

Bio-gas is a preferred energy solution in parts of the developing world, but hasn't gained much traction here. One man hoping to change this is Bill Rucks. He's got small-scale system in his backyard… Read more Audio

We're in New Brighton where Katy Gosset finds the suburb's blanket bank is meeting a huge need among residents living in quake-damaged homes. Audio

We drop in on the historic Sumner Silver Band as they enter a new era. Audio

Charleston is said to be the only place in the world where gold was extracted from elevated, ancient sea-bed. Coast gold is like powder, and extracting it from it's paydirt took super-human effort and… Read more Audio

The Beat Street Cafe is the latest to adopt the now global trend of "suspended coffees" - when your daily fix comes courtesy of someone you've never met. Katy Gosset found a cup of coffee can go a… Read more Audio

A wooden cabin destined for Captain Scott's expedition was sent home and used by his wife and others involved with his party while they awaited the explorer's return. Katy Gosset found that after the… Read more Audio

Katy Gosset meets props maker extraordinaire Anneke Bester, who has turned her hand to everything from theatre sets to the artefacts of the Hobbit movies. Audio

Twenty years ago two residents on the West Coast's Denniston Plateau initiated the restoration of an old schoolhouse to create a museum. This not only gave the many visitors to the hill a place to… Read more Audio

In Lyttelton locals have been giving their town a post-quake makeover - starting with the Civic Square. The port town is always lively on a Saturday morning when visitors throng the farmers market… Read more Audio

Deborah Nation takes us back to the 1970s in Christchurch when one of the city's strongest riverside communities was created - the Avon Loop. Audio

Christchurch is home to many diverse ethnic groups whose voices have sometimes gone unheard in the aftermath of the earthquakes and the city's rebuild plans. Katy Gosset visits a gathering in… Read more Audio

Hobby gold-prospecting has been on the rise since the beginning of the latest recession, but there are only a few places not covered by the Crown Minerals Act 1991. No permit could mean prosecution… Read more Audio

Christchurch prepares for a challenging anniversary - two years on from the devastating earthquake that killed 185 people. Our correspondent there, Katy Gosset, hears the stories of local baristas who… Read more Audio

A cycle renaissance is on the road as two wheelers begin to reclaim the quake-damaged streets of Christchurch. Audio

Most of us try to make New Year's resolutions at some time or another, what's not so easy is to stick to them. Residents of Christchurch have reason to hope for positive changes this year, Katy… Read more Audio

Katy Gosset visits New Brighton, a suburb that's been a little down on its luck after the quakes. But its local ukelele jam is still pulling in punters from all over town. Katy Gosset dropped in on… Read more Audio

Sage Forest at a rites-of-passage event for girls on the journey to womanhood, in Golden Bay. Audio

About a decade ago Sarah Adams, granddaughter of the South Island baker, Ernest Adams, revived part of the family business - Queen Anne Chocolates. Audio

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is home to a small population of the long-tailed bat, where once there may have been thousands. Sage Forest joins members of the Nelson-Tasman Kiwi Conservation Club, the… Read more Audio

Heritage advocates say its not too late to save some of Christchurch's most significant buildings. A special fund dedicated to restoring quake damaged buildings has already given out several million… Read more Audio