For his latest novel, Chris Blake has stepped out from behind the pseudonym with which he published his first. He used it to distance himself from his day job with the New Zealand Police.

Senior National Minister - and former National Party leader Judith Collins - has announced her retirement from politics ahead of this year's election. She is set to become head of the Law Commission. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch talks with Kathryn about the announcement and Collins' political career.

Tess discusses a health watchdog's criticism of staffing levels at Oamaru Hospital, problematic Gore campground about to close, the Kakapo camera giving remote viewers an opportunity to watch a nest on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island and a woman who was the model for a Peter Pan themed sculpture returns 60 years later.

Jenna Todd of Time Out Bookstore three of her favourite books from last year: The True True Story of Raja the Gullible by Rabih Alameddine, published by Little Brown Books, Service by John Tottenham, published by Profile Books, and How to End a Story: Collected Diaries 1978-1998 by Helen Garner published by Text Publishing.

Million-year-old fossils have been found in a cave near Waitomo painting a picture of New Zealand wildlife in a period very little was known about.

In 1942 a German U-boat approached the entrance to New York's Lower Bay - surprised to see the lights of Manhattan blazing as usual.

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche details new hate speech laws invoked following a man's arrest at an anti-immigration rally.

Accessing Government services to apply for the likes of a passport or maybe some kind of funding, can often be a frustrating experience.

Time is running out for charities, sports clubs and other incorporated societies if they don't re-register under new legislation.

Joe Schmidt has ruled himself out of the running for the All Blacks' job. In cricket, the Black Caps are beaten in the T20 series with India, while in May, Raglan will play host to one of the biggest surfing events in the world.