Summer Times for Friday 13 January 2023
09.10 Gisborne mayor returns to cyclone mop up
It hasn't been the happiest of homecomings for Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz who has just landed back in New Zealand after a holiday away. Once again the region has been pounded by severe weather - with Cyclone Hale wreaking havoc and a state of emergency still in place. There's a big clean up job ahead - and a call for a formal inquiry into forestry plantation practices with mountains of debris choking rivers and streams.
09.20 The bookstore saved by magic
A second hand bookstore has magic to thank for saving its business over the Covid lockdowns. The owners of Bookmark in Auckland's Devonport didn't know it at the time, but when they were offered a massive collection of magic books from a deceased estate, it would provide a much-needed lifeline.
09.35 Christchurch celebrates 30 years of busking festival
There will literally be dancing in the streets of Christchurch over the next 17 days as the city celebrates 30 years of the World Buskers' Festival . After a few years of Covid disruption the city's favourite summer street celebration is back with dozens of buskers, acrobats, magicians and comedians set to entertain with colourful street performances and events. Festival Director Scott Maidment tells Anna what's in store.
09.50 Summer podcasts
Summer holidays are a good time to catch up or indulge in those podcasts you've been meaning to listen to. Our podcast reviewer Jemima Huston is on a bit of a true crime buzz and has a few recommendations.
10.10 Lisbon based Kiwi chef George McLeod
Portugese gooseneck barnacles, Braga wines and smoked pork fat and bread sausages are some of the favourite menu items for Dunedin born George McLeod who is the co-owner and head chef at the award winning Sem restaurant in Lisbon. He's heading home on holiday next month but before then he'll tell us about what he's been rustling up in Portugal's capital city.
10.30 Pop up space centre in Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a great place to look at the stars and a pop up space centre in Carterton is helping people learn about the night sky, dark skies, astrobiology and space sciences. As the region fights to be accredited as a Dark Sky Reserve and become the largest dark sky reserve in the world, the Space Centre is doing its bit to promote astro tourism. Self confessed space geek and astrobiologist Hari Mogosanu and her partner Sam Leske set up the centre - Hari joins Anna to tell her more about it.
10.45 Museum stop - Owaka Museum Wahi Kahuika
We're stopping today at Owaka Museum Wahi Kahuika deep in the Catlins. Housed in a state of the art building alongside the Catlins Information Centre, it provides an experience described as walking through a three dimensional story book on the history of the area. Even the toilets have penguin images and bird sounds. Mike McPhee talks Anna through what visitors can discover.
11.08 On the road with Silver Fern Kelly Jury
Taking us on a roadtrip today is Silver Fern Kelly Jury. The ace defender was joint winner alongside shooter Grace Nweke of last year's Supreme Netball award. And Kelly is about to head out on an even bigger trip next week as the Silver Ferns prepare to leave for the Netball Quad Series in Capetown. She takes some time to share her summer favourites.
11.35 Singer Alisa Xayalith takes first steps as a solo artist
Alisa Xayalith has been the lead singer for New Zealand indie band The Naked and Famous since 2007. But more recently she's also embarked on a solo career. The Los Angeles based artist joins Anna Thomas in the studio to perform one of her new songs.
Urban Jumble Daily Quiz
Every day we're giving you three words. Within each word are letters which spell out a New Zealand town or city. Each letter can only be used once. While some words may have more than one answer, the correct answer must be the town or city we're thinking of. So have a pen and paper and a map at hand and have a go.
Words and solutions for January 13
Glandular - Raglan
Articulating - Turangi
Stashing - Hastings