On the pod today: we catch up with our local democracy reporter in Wairarapa about an invasive plant sniffing dog detective; the sad news of the rapid decline of shark species worldwide; new MP Ayesha Verrall was parachuted straight into cabinet - we find out how this scientist is finding the transition to politics and it could be a year before New Zealand's Covid vaccine programme is complete - we took to the streets to find out what you think.

On the pod today; Who's up with us this early? We visit Daily Bread bakery; an artist who has modified from paintings to more pratical homeware and how Covid-19 patients could still be susceptible to the new South African strain..

On the pod today: Kiwi UFC star Dan Hooker lost over the weekend, is he on the brink of retirement? Over the next couple of days we'll be speaking to ordinary Americans about what they think about the end of the Donald Trump era and we'll hear how to enjoy a dram of whisky in space.

In today's pod: people can now fly quarantine-free from the Cook Islands to New Zealand, but why not the other way around? Councils are calling on the government to fix a loophole that allows companies to dump contaminated waste water down the drain without facing penalties and the Black Caps are officially the number one test team in the world, so why is it still possible for the Aussies to take our spot in the Test Championship final?

On today's pod: Santa is nearly ready to set off, but how will he keep safe on his deliveries; the holidays can be hazardous for pets, how to keep them safe this Christmas; Oscar Kightley reviews the highs and lows of 2020 - what a year it has been and we're talking top tips for turkey with Annabelle White.

On today's pod: MPI help fund research to extend the life of commercial Bumblebee hives; a Wellington author says having an assistance dog has changed her life but the long journey to get a canine helper wasn't always smooth; the difference between smiling in different situations...new research we might actually all make the same facial expressions in social situations; and residents at risk of extreme weather in the Bay of Plenty settlement of Matata finally but reluctantly agree to leave their homes - but where will they go.

On today's pod: What's in the stars for New Zealand over Christmas and how can you see them; fish for festive meals - salmon's good on the barbie and the workers at Wellington Airport are up with us in the early hours as they finish off a new runway before the first plane of the day.

On today's pod: we find out why rooms are sitting empty in MIQ facilities; a Cook Islands travel bubble is finally confirmed for March; it was family day at Paremoremo prison - a dad meets his son for the very first time; we had wildfires and hot weather over the weekend, will we see an end to this hot, dry spell and why Omaha residents are worried about what's in the rock pools.

On today's pod: the impact of Covid-19 on Grand Canyon tourism; Zespri is to pay China's growers for illicitly grown SunGold fruit - what does one of New Zealand's largest growers think; the golden retrievers being trained to sniff out Covid-19 and the heart-warming story of what happened when a UK family ordered an inflatable Christmas Grinch that was a little bigger than they expected.

On today's pod: Whakatane locals say the healing continues a year on from the Whakaari White Island explosion which killed 22 and injured 25 others; we talked about fake versus real Christmas trees last week, today we throw the idea of a 'potted Christmas tree' into the mix; we answer questions about space and three women in their 90s take centrestage in the Wellington theatre production "The Older, The Better."