What's behind New Zealand's population boom, and is it having an effect on policy?

Peter talks to Susie about the cost of bringing non-compliant water supplies across the district up to scratch. Also the massive community reaction to news that Takahe chicks have hatched in the wild near Glenorchy in Greenstone Valley. And a professional hunter has been hired to kill over 50 rabbits in Queenstown's main public gardens. Peter is the Managing Editor, Crux, based in Arrowtown.

A Kiwi farmer is startled by a strange light coming under his door one night. It's aliens who have come for the world's rabbits, as they think that rabbits are cute and they have built a moon for them.

Phil Vine reviews The In-Between by Christos Tsiolkas published by Allen & Unwin

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton joins Susie to talk about new legislation for illegal migrants that break the law, l'amour between Australia and France and postal changes.

The Reserve Bank wants to try bringing back cash services in rural communities next year.

Community pharmacists say they're baffled by the government's decision to put pseudoephedrine back on the shelves, and are worried about a return to co-payments for prescriptions.

Kiwi teens have slipped down the international rankings of reading, maths and science again. To explain what this means for students beginning NCEA - founder of the Education Hub, Dr Nina Hood.

New Zealand's Paul Coll has won the Hong Kong Squash Open by beating Egyptian Ali Farag in the men's final. And the Black Caps face unwanted history after their first test loss to Bangladesh. So can the New Zealand side bounce back? Finally, a wrap of the Dubai 7s tournament.

It's not too late to craft some Christmas presents, soaps, salves and food items. Naturopath and medical herbalist, Jane Wrigglesworth has a raft of ideas on how to fashion useful presents that don't cost much to produce. If you have a herb garden at home, it can be put to good use to use in a selection of home made items suitable for gifting. Jane is the author of Everyday Herbalist and writes for numerous publications including NZ Gardener and Lifestyle Block.