Nights

Seals have become regular visitors to Wellington of late, with one even forcing the cancellation of a train service in the Capital today after it found a resting spot on the tracks. DOC Ranger Tony Milner talks to Nights about what's behind the increase in sightings and what's the best thing to do if you come across one of the marine mammals.

It's been a best-seller in New Zealand and Australia, and a video of a Scottish granny reading it to her grandchildren went viral attracting more than 100 million views on YouTube. It's the much-loved Wonky Donkey series of books about a donkey with three legs. Now a fifth book is being released, The Stinky Wonky Donkey - author Craig Smith talks to Nights about what keeps him going and why people love his stories.

It may seem like a never-ending challenge but maintaining a tidy home can go a long way to helping a person's mental well-being. But what are the best strategies for creating and maintaining order and how can you make sure it doesn't tip over into an obsession? To help us answer those questions Mark Leishman talks to researcher and senior lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology Dr Taghreed Hikmet.

The BBC's Rich Preston is with us now with the news making the headlines around the world.

It's a board game that's been played for more than 1500 years but chess is on the rise in Taranaki. Chess is getting so popular in the region the New Plymouth Chess Club has added extra weekly playing sessions to keep up with a 25 percent growth in member. Now, the club is set to host its first national tournament in 31 years. To find out what's driving this chess boom, New Plymouth Chess Club president John Ansell speaks to Nights.

An Auckland bungy fanatic is hoping to restore national pride and recapture the world record he lost just last year. In 2022 Mike Heard set the world record for the most bungy jumps in a day with 430, which was beaten last year by Frenchman François-Marie Dibon who made 765 jumps. But in just over two weeks time Mike is aiming to take it back, aiming for 800 jumps off the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 24 hours. Mike speaks to Mark Leishman about his preparation and motivation for the jumping,

Once again the regions of Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti have been hammered by heavy rain. While the rain was expected to ease tonight, other parts of the North Island are now in for a drenching, while strong winds are set to buffet other areas. So for the latest on what we can expect, and when the worst of the weather will be over, Nights speaks to MetService Lead Meteorologist, Bill Singh.

Nights regular sports correspondent, Bryan Waddle. talks to Mark Leishman about the Australian's all but out of the Rugby World cup, how the All Blacks are shaping up, what is happening with the Silver Ferns and Liam Lawson continues to impress in Formula 1.

A Rotorua woman has proved that age is no barrier, becoming the oldest person to compete in the Miss Rotorua beauty pageant. Tiana Hodge, who is 77, made history at the event which started in back in 1947. She speaks to Anna Thomas about the experience and why age isn't a barrier

It's that time of the week when we check in with our resident film and tv expert Dan Slevin. Tonight he's got his eye on something to keep both the kids, and adults, entertained over the school holidays.