Four Indian ring-necked parakeets are soon to be released into Otago Museum's tropical forest. Otago Museum science communicator Kate Irving shares how they've been caring for the parakeets and how they plan on releasing them into the forest.

Giving second hand gifts for Christmas is now a cool thing to do according to an article in the Guardian, but there are rules. You don't have to spend a heap of money or buy the latest flash thing. Steve Archer, who, together with his wife Coralie, write a blog called #Practically and joins Karyn to discuss all things second-hand.

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger; who was National Party leader from 1986 until 1997, joins Karyn to discuss Christopher Luxon's new appointment as leader of the National Party.

Cremation is becoming the preferred choice over burial according to registered funeral director and owner of Avenal Park Funeral Home, Nigel Edwards. Nigel joins Karyn to discuss other environmentally friendly options which are emerging.

Genomic testing has confirmed two new confirmed cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in New South Wales, bringing the total in the state to four. There's also a confirmed case in Northern Territories. The ABC's Mridula Amin has the latest.

There's been a lot of discussion around where double-vaccinated Aucklanders are welcome this summer once the borders open. Karyn is joined by mayors from around the country to hear their thoughts on whether they want Aucklanders in their neighbourhood come the holidays.

Earlier this month we highlighted the National Library's decision to dispose of up to 600,000 books that form part of the Overseas Published Collection. Today the Library has said they are reconsidering its plans for the Overseas Published Collection.

Albatross are among some of the most loyal and monogamous species in the animal kingdom, but researchers say global warming is contributing to an increase of 'divorces'. Dr Graeme Elliot, principal science adviser at DoC says dropping population numbers are changing the birds mating patterns, with homosexual couplings happening frequently.

Flights have been cancelled from Africa to an increasing number of countries as health officials scramble to work out how transmissible a new COVID-19 variant is.

Every year, humans eat more than 300 million cows. More than 400 million goats, 500 million sheep, and a whopping 1.5 billion pigs So -- as its a month until Christmas - we thought we could look at how to do Christmas feasts without the beasts Amanda Sorrenson is the national co-ordinator of the Vegan Society of New Zealand