Back for its third year, The Big Swim is a nationwide swimming challenge that gets Kiwis moving while raising funds for Coastguard - Aotearoa New Zealand's primary marine search and rescue organisation, powered by more than 2,000 volunteers. NZ Coastguard fundraising manager Ben Sinnamon joins Susana Lei'ataua.

Susan Hassall spent 46 years at Hamilton Boys' High School, becoming the first woman to be appointed headmaster at a boy's state school. Her contributions to education and the wider community were recognised with the Hamilton Kirikiriroa Medal by Hamilton City Council in 2024. Having been on the University of Waikato Council from 2016 and Pro-Chancellor since 2017, she was appointed Chancellor in 2025 and is a member of the University of Waikato Foundation. She contributed to the signing of a kawenata between Waikato-Tainui and the University of Waikato in 2025, setting a foundation for how they will work together on programmes supporting their strategic objectives. She spoke to Susana Lei'ataua.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

From humble beginnings in 1974, the MLT New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards are one of New Zealand's most prestigious country music events. Contestants from all around the world flocking to Gore to celebrate country music and compete for a chance at the top prize. The New Zealand Golden Guitar Awards were held last night and winner Simon Thompson joins Susana Lei'ataua.

Around 200 ornithologists and bird enthusiasts are gathered in Wanaka this Kings Birthday Weekend. The 2026 NZ Bird Conference and Birds New Zealand AGM is being held at the Lake Wanaka Centre - and is Aotearoa's largest annual conference on birds and bird research. Natalie Forsdick is the President Birds New Zealand and she joins Susana Lei'ataua.

Peter Boshier was the Chief Ombudsman from 2015 to 2025, responsible for handling complaints about and investigating the administrative conduct of public sector agencies, including official information requests. He was active in the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), serving between 2019 and 2022 as President of the Australasia and Pacific Region and then as Second Vice President of the IOI. He was elected President of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts in the United States of America, the only New Zealander to hold that position. He was appointed to the District Court in 1988 as a Family Court Judge, subsequently being appointed as the Principal Family Court Judge in 2004. Mr Boshier held that position until 2012 when he was appointed a Law Commissioner. Sir Peter joins Susana Lei'ataua to reflect on his King's Birthday Honour.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

The latest news in Samoan language (Gagana Samoa).

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

This morning's top stories and other headlines