Hosts Max Towle, Perlina Lau and Evie Ashton on a colourful background, text reads "The Weekend with Max Towle, Perlina Lau and Evie Ashton" and there is an RNZ logo in the corner

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan and Krista Barnaby

08:12 Dr Paul Craddock: Summer Insect Invasion!

Cluster fly

Photo: 123RF

If the damp weather wasn't bad enough it looks like we're set for even more inconvenience this summer.

A perfect storm of rain, humid and damp weather has pest experts predicting a boom in insect numbers over the next month.

To talk us through why this is happening - Pest Management Association of New Zealand vice president Dr Paul joins us.

8:35 Loretta Paterson: Pastry Perfection

Sheffield Pie Shop owners Loretta and Shane Paterson prepare some of the more than 3000 pies the shop has pumped out since reopening after the Christmas break on Wednesday. The business is on the market for the first time in twenty years.

Photo: Stuff/Kai Schwoerer

Nothing beats a pit stop for a hot pie on a summer road trip, and no one knows that better than Loretta Paterson.

After b 20 years of early starts and millions of pies, Loretta and her husband James are putting their Sheffield Pies  business on the market.

She talks to Perlina about what makes a great pie.

9:10 Aotearoa's Hidden History: The Father of New Zealand Conservation

Kiwi and kakapo diorama 1880s(Te Papa C.018333) Photo:

The second episode in a six part series looking at some lesser known events and personalities in New Zealand's history

Presenting the series for us is Thomas Rillstone who creator and host of the award winning History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast.

Today Thomas looks at Richard Henry, who laid the blueprint for the modern conservation movement in New Zealand

If you're interested in learning more about Richard Henry Thomas covers his legacy in depth on his own podcast which can be found at http://www.historyaotearoa.com

9:30 Dr Melissa StarlingWhat Shapes Your Dog's Personality?

Dog with glasses on, doing maths.

Photo: 123RF

Ever wondered by you're loveable pet Labrador never seems to take any notice of what you're trying to get it to do?

Maybe it's all in it's genetics!

Scientists in the United States who studied the genetics of more than 200 dog breeds say there are actually only ten types of canine.

They say herders, hounds and sled dogs all have their own genetic traits which make them unique when compared to terriers, dingos and spaniels.

But is your pooch's personality only tied to it's genetics? Or can it's upbringing shape also shape a dog's personality?

Dr. Melissa Starling holds a PhD in dog behaviour, personality, emotions, and cognition and she joins us now.

10:05 Dr Nicholas Longrich: What Will Humans Look Like in the Future?

No caption

Photo: Pixabay

What are we going to look like in the future?

Humans are already living longer and it's likely - we'll be taller, more lightly built and less aggressive.

But how well are we adapting to this modern world and what other changes will there be?

Perlina talks to Dr Nicholas Longrich a Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary Biology

10:40 Professor Andrew Pask: Bringing back the Tasmanian Tiger

An artist's impression of a Thylacine coat. They are described as wolf or dog-like marsupials, with distinct stripes on their backs.

Photo: 123rf

Making a comeback from extinction - could be closer to fact than fiction for the Tasmanian Tiger.

The last known Tassie tiger died in captivity in 1936 but now using technology and DNA from a pelt sample, scientists at the University of Melbourne are hoping to bring them back.

But it's also a move that's copping some criticism.

Perlina talks to University of Melbourne scientist - Professor Andrew Pask who is leading the effort to bring back the species.

11:05 RTE Documentary: Girl at the GPO (Part 2)

Photo:

In 2013, an upset and distressed young girl was found wandering in Dublin. In need of help, members of An Garda Síochána - the Irish police - brought her to the children's hospital.

When they began speaking with her, she didn't talk but did draw pictures suggesting she was in serious trouble.

What followed was one of the most unusual Garda investigations ever seen, and it became a global news story.

The answers to that investigation lay with a woman named Samantha Azzopardi.

Fast forward almost 10 years, and the girl at the GPO is still making headlines...

11:35 Nicoline Greer and Sharon Davis: Where is the Girl from the GPO now?

Photo:

Perlina talks to award-winning documentary maker Nicoline Greer and investigative journalist Sharon Davis about what drew them into the story of Samantha Azzopardi and what has happened since they made the documentary.

If you think you might have had your own encounter with Samatha Azzopardi, Sharon and Nicoline are want to hear from you.

You can email them at documentaries@rte.ie

 

 

Music played in this show

Track: I'm only sleeping
Artist: The Beatles

Track: Oceans
Artist: Womb

Track: Jolene
Artist: Dolly Parton

Track: Kiss
Artist: Prince

Track: Pontos De Luz
Artist: Gal Costa

Track: Every Hori is a Star
Artist: Mara TK feat Troy Kingi