Summer Report for Thursday 31 December 2009

9:52 AM.South Iakes Rotoiti, Rotorua, Ohau, Pukaki, Tekapo, Wakatipu, Hawea: with Peter Dowling, editor of Reed's 'Dictionary of New Zealand Place Names'. Audio

9:46 AM.Matt Maguire from Canterbury University examines the calls to ban the bloody sport of cage fighting. Audio

9:33 AM.Get that rucksack on your back - we're joining Simon again as he attempts to climb Mt Aspiring. Today he finally reaches French Ridge Hut - after a lot of huff and puffing. Audio

9:27 AM.Apparently they prefer hairy legs... Audio

9:19 AM.If music is what you want to hear as 2009 becomes 2010 there's no shortage of New Year festivals. Audio

9:14 AM.Sam Marsh of Paihia is only 10 but has his sights set on a world record for the 133 kilogram striped marlin he hauled in on his father's boat. Audio

9:10 AM.Among those who've made the New Year Honours list is former Television New Zealand news reader Judy Bailey. Audio

8:50 AM.A British man is about to bid farewell to what was advertised as the 'best job in the world'. Audio

8:45 AM.We continue our look at New Zealand birdlife today by travelling into the mountains of the Southern Alps. Audio

8:37 AM.If you plan on getting out and about for New Year's Eve there is a huge range of events being run by councils all around the country. Audio

8:33 AM.We're wave hunting with Doug Young from surf.co.nz Audio

8:29 AM.There's been a few upsets at the national lawn bowls championship which is entering the knockout stage. Audio

8:28 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:21 AM.A Twizel woman has become the first New Zealand woman to ski all the way to the South Pole. Audio

8:18 AM.The police in many popular holiday spots around the country say they're well prepared for partygoers celebrating New Year Eve. Audio

8:14 AM.Many well known names have made their mark in the New Year Honours list, but also honoured has been a host of New Zealanders who are less in the limelight. Audio

8:10 AM.The former prime minister Helen Clark heads the New Year's Honours list, becoming a member of the Order of New Zealand. Audio

7:49 AM.We're all on board for a trip on one of Wellington's most visited tourist attractions - its cable car. Audio

7:44 AM.Prepartions are underway at one of the most famous international venues for New Years celebrations - New York's Time Square. Audio

7:35 AM.The New Zealand wine industry celebrated news that its wine export market hit the billion dollar mark this year. Audio

7:25 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:22 AM.The United States has eased in-flight security restrictions two days after a blanket ban was imposed on US-bound passengers moving around on planes during the final stages in the air. Audio

7:18 AM.Five firefighters hailed as heroes in the Tamahere coolstore explosion that killed one officer and injured seven others have been awarded Queens Service Medals. Audio

7:14 AM.Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has been made a Member of the Order of New Zealand, in the New Years Honours. Audio

7:12 AM.The former Prime Minister Helen Clark and six new Knights and Dames head the New Year Honours list. Audio

7:00 AM.Helen Clark and Peter Jackson head New Years honours list; heroes of the Tamahere coolstore fires honoured; and the U.S. eases some in-flight security restrictions. Audio