Summer Times

9:10 The Revenant Ultra Race gets underway

On of the toughest races on the planet is underway right now on Blackmore Station in southland. The Revenant is a 200km ultra adventure run with over 16,000m of vertical ascent, not to mention some really tricky terrain. Athletes set off at 11pm Thursday. Race organiser Scott Worthington joins Anna from the Garston HQ. 

Revenant Ultra Adventure Run is one of the most gruelling races on earth. Photo: Revenant Ultra Adventure Run

9:20 Manu World Champs on the horizon

Who doesn't love a good manu? If you rate your ability, now is the chance to make a splash. The first qualifying round of the Z Manu World Championships will take place next week, in Wellington, and there are a few places left. Organiser Scott Rice tells us what makes a good manu.

Peleti Oli demonstrating the art of the manu at Havelock North Village pool. Photo: Paul Taylor

9:30 Vintage Weekend in Whanganui

Whanganui's Vintage Weekend is a trip back in time. The annual extravaganza kicks off today with over 30 vintage themed events. With a retro market, soapbox derby, and live music, the four-day extravaganza delivers the full kid and caboodle. Former mayor of the fair river city, Annette Main, joins Summer Times from the hubbub.

Photo: Supplied

9:40 Queenstown: Riders flock to NZ's mountain-biking Mecca 

It wouldn't be a bike festival without a spot of heli-riding. Photo: Queenstown Bike Festival

It's renowned for its ski fields and dramatic landscape, but Queenstown is also becoming a must for mountain-bikers. Today, is the first of the 10-day Queenstown Bike Festival, which will see riders from amateur to pro - enjoying the best of what the resort town has to offer including, heli-riding and lake jumps. With more than 30 events it promises to deliver the 'most amount of stoke you've seen in one mountain town'. 

Queenstown Bike Festival kicks-off today. Photo: Queenstown Bike Festival

10:10 Road trip with musician Arahi 

Described as one of Aotearoa's finest up and coming original artists, Arahi is a name to remember. The young musician - who has a flair for the theatrical and enjoys pushing the boundaries of indie - joins us in the studio for a road trip and treats us to some live music. 

Photo: Supplied

10:40  Izzy Baarspul: Professional dog walker

Navigating Wellington's streets is difficult enough with one canine, let alone half a dozen, for Izzy Baarspul however, - a professional dog walker - a pack of six is the 'sweet spot'. So how does the psychology student turned dog whisperer do it?

A pack of dogs ready for their daily walk. Photo: Izzy Baarspul

11:00 Jenna Milesi: The art of restoration

Restoration artisan Jenna Milesi has always had a flair for repair, but little did she know her childhood passion would eventually lead to Restituo - her business restoring or transforming people's beloved items. Jenna joins us from the garden city to answer all your shoe, bag, and leatherwork questions so, text them through to 2101 or email summertimes@rnz.co.nz

Repair and restoration artisan Jenna Milesi. Photo: Selina Nunn

11:30 Summer's hottest hits with DJ Sticky Fingaz

Brad Warrington aka DJ Sticky Fingaz is back with us in the Wellington studio, he gives us his review of the hottest summer hits and who to look out for in 2024.