Author Ronald Hugh Morrieson was never popular in his home town of Hawera, which was recognisably skewered in his novels. Hawera is also home to Kevin Wasley, a dedicated Elvis Presley fan who runs a museum celebrating 'The King'.

Jamie Clark, Emily Aitken and Katya Curran have all been identified by the Peter Blake Trust as potential leaders, adventurers and environmental stewards.

The 1982 closure of the Patea freezing works could have spelled the death of the town. But salvation came from the lively song Poi e, which became a 1984 hit single for the local Patea Maori Club.

Dunedin-born Alison Shanks is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist and track cycling World Champion. Just last week she came third in time trials at The Elite Road National Championships. .

We asked for suggestions of the best songs for hearbreak, and listeners sent stories of love, loss and the music that helped.

While he has a keen interest in politics, Keith Ng has also been keeping an eye on Big Tobacco over the past year and a half and has published some of his relevations on his blog publicaddress.net/onpoint/ this week.

For aid agencies working in Haiti, the money is running out and the support is expected to stop soon. World Vision's humanitarian and emergency affairs manager, Ian McInnes, is with us.

Following the breakup of the Rena, more oil and debris is expected to wash up on local beaches, which will affect wildlife. Kerry Morgan is running the wildlife response centre in Tauranga.

The sleepy town of Foxton was once home to a thriving flax-milling industry.

Mark Derby shares his enthusiasm for learning new languages.