As Wellington severe water shortage intensifies, Victoria University students are being encouraged to half flush toilets and take shorter showers. The Local Government Minister Simeon Brown meets with mayors on Monday about the situation. And Georgina says a team of Wellington zoo veterinarians are going to great lengths to stop a pair of motherless ruru chicks imprinting on them. NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell

Mellissa Oliver from Unity Books Wellington reviews three of their favourite books from last year: Articulations by Henrietta Bollinger, published by Tender Press; Happy Place by Emily Henry, published by Penguin Books; and Aria by Jessica Hinerangi, published by Auckland University Press

British journalist Julian Borger has carved a prominent voice in media as The Guardian's world affairs editor, but recently, he's been working to uncover a story close to his heart - his own family history - which has ties to the very newspaper he works for. In August 1938, an advertisement ran in The Manchester Guardian - now The Guardian - reading: "I seek a kind person who will educate my intelligent boy". That boy was Julian's father - Robert Borger - then an 11-year-old Jewish boy living under Nazi rule in Austria. It was only after his dad tragically took his own life that Julian learned of his past. Julian has just released a book, I Seek A Kind Person, following the lives the advertised children of the Holocaust, and where they ended up.

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins

Forecasters are exploring whether they can use AI to help predict the impacts of extreme weather, right down to a street level. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, NIWA has added five million dollars a year in funding for extreme weather research. It's being pumped into several projects which are producing models, showing which properties or infrastructure could be at risk from things like storms, droughts and heatwaves. Climate scientist Nava Fedaeff is spearheading one such project, pulling together a range of data to forecast exactly where any potential slips or flooding may hit. Meteorologist Ben Noll says his team has already been briefing key agencies and authorities, about areas at risk of drought or fire that El Niño may deliver in the months ahead.

Saturday marks one year since Auckland's Anniversary Weekend floods, which caused widespread damage and the deaths of four people. More than 7000 homes were stickered due to damage, and 600 households needed emergency accommodation. While much of the city is back to normal, some people - particularly out west - are still out of their homes. Auckland Council says 1570 properties are still yet to be categorised. Kathryn Ryan speaks with Auckland Council deputy group recovery manager Mace Ward, and West Auckland Is Flooding chairman Lyall Carter.

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Kathryn to talk about the fourth season of True Detective (Neon), starring Jodie Foster. He'll also look at new murder-mystery drama Death and Other Details (Disney) starring Mandy Patinkin. The Holdovers (cinemas) is a new movie starring Paul Giamatti, and a new Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop. James Croot is Stuff's Stuff to Watch editor.

Often parents find it tough to set boundaries for any age, but particularly holding firm on where to draw the line for teenagers who are needing more autonomy.

Technology correspondent Mark Pesce was at this month's CES show in Las Vegas. The trade show is one of the world's biggest tech events, with over 500,000 exhibitors, inventors, entrepreneurs and buyers. He talks to Kathryn about the most interesting and innovative things he saw. Mark Pesce is a futurist, writer, educator and broadcaster.

Tess has the latest on a cruise ship which has run aground in Doubtful Sound, and on Queenstown water woes.