The biggest talk around town is the announcement that a contract has been signed to keep the aluminum smelter at Tiwai open for another 20 years.

Award-winning Australian author Julia Lawrinson has more than 15 books for children and young people to her name, but her latest work is deeply personal.

US correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben talks about the bipartisan invitation extended to Israel's president Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress in July.

A new study shows the tiny titipounamu or rifleman has the ability to learn to make new sounds, just like parrots.

As the government comes under increasing pressure for backtracking on an election promise to fund 13 cancer drugs.

Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan did not expect the pushback he got when he suggested pensioners reverse-mortgage their homes to help with the cost of living.

Kennedy is on a ship steaming towards the Kimberley Coast of Australia from Darwin. He joins Kathryn to talk about what is in store during the expedition, and to share some experiences from a couple of days in Perth, including seeing an Aboriginal dance performance at the Western Australian Museum.

Olivia Johnson started her small-batch kimchi and sauerkraut business a year ago. But it was about 10 years ago where she first came across fermented foods while living out of tents on a vineyard in Vancouver.

Dale and Tim look at reaction to the Budget, including concern promises to fund cancer drugs haven't been met. How are Te Pati Maori leaders handling allegations about the misuse of data?

The imminent closure of Queen Street's landmark department store, Smith & Caughey, Simon discusses the issues, which have led to this.