Nights

Heading into the weekend parts of the country look set to be batted with some pretty strong winds with several Strong Wind Warnings and Watches in place in the South Island and lower North Island. To give us the latest on the blustery weather and little bit of a run down on what we can expect over the weekend Metservice forecaster Gerard Belam talks to Nights.

It's been all go at the new Southland Charity Hospital this week with around 14 thousand charity bricks being laid at the Invercargill site. The bricks, with personalised messages, have been one of the fundraisers for the new hospital, which was the dream of Winton man Blair Vining who died of bowel cancer in 2019. Blair's wife Melissa has been spearheading the project and talks to Mark Leishman about how close it is to completion.

Everything from duct tape, microwaves to electric razors and even the internet which were all invented for or by militaries - sometimes by accident. But in modern times we've seen the reverse where consumer technology is being used in warfare. Teen tech correspondent Charlie Cuff talks to Nights about how technology available to the public is being used on the frontlines of the Ukraine war.

There are only a handful of people living with Prune-Belly Syndrome in New Zealand and one of them is two-year James Kalisch. His mum Heather talks to Mark Leishman about what the disorder is, how Charlie's first two years have been and why she went to America to seek a better understanding of the syndrome.

Colin Peacock is in for Midweek Mediawatch Colin Peacock talks to Mark Leishman about the coverage of two huge disasters in North Africa; political party leaders under heavy scrutiny on TV. Also: a much-hyped weekend of sport which didn't go well for our national teams - and whether pets on planes, trains and buses is really a good idea.

On Sunday more than 350 people gathered in the small Taranaki town of Waverly to celebrate one of New Zealand's most iconic sports star. They were there for the unveiling of a life sized tribute to the racehorse Kiwi, who famously came from behind to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup. Brian Rook, who was the chair of the statue committee and is a South Taranaki District councillor talks to Nights about the journey to get there.

Next month Palmerston North will play host to New Zealand's largest drag show. What started as a small show in the city's Globe Theatre has blossomed into Palmy Drag Fest, a three day celebration of drag culture and the LGBTIQ+ community. Organiser Henrique Beirao speaks to Mark Leishman about the success of the festival and his ambitions to make Palmerston North the capital of drag in New Zealand.

Today marks a significant milestone in both our women's and political history. On this day 90 years ago our first female MP was elected into parliament.

Labour's Elizabeth McCombs won a by-election in the seat of Lyttelton after the death of her husband James McCombs who'd held the seat since 1913.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark talks to Mark Leishman about McCombs' legacy and how being a woman in parliament has changed over the past 90 years.

A new exhibition at the New Zealand Maritime Museum celebrates our connection to Moana Oceania also known as the Pacific Ocean. Always Song in the Water features works from over 40 accomplished artists, delving into unresolved oceanic concerns, themes that are very timely as the world navigates climate change and ocean health. Co-curator and authour of the book the exhibition is based on Greg O'Brien talks to Mark Leishman about his connection to the ocean and where he finds his inspiration.

With warmer weather quickly approaching - fingers crossed - many of us will be flocking to rivers, lakes, and beaches around the country. To help combat the number of drowning deaths and injuries researchers from the University of Otago have been looking at the best way to teach children water safety skills, with a focus on how well skills can be transferred to different environments. Co-authour Kane Cocker talks to Nights about what the study found.