Finance minister Nicola Willis has ended the year on a high with a surprise 1.1% increase in GDP for the most recent quarter; Gloriavale's leaders have announced they'll challenge the forced closure of its school; Auckland Council is securing more burial and cremation spaces as the city's cemeteries begin to run out of capacity; We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh; One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and former All Black captain Taine Randell discuss this weekend's sport action.

South East Asia's biggest sporting event winds up tomorrow, and playing for the Thai women's side has been Wellington's Natalie Olson.

It took him more than a decade - but earlier this year Simon Olliver achieved the incredible feat of becoming the oldest person to complete the gruelling Oceans Seven swim.

Kathryn and commentators look back on the year in politics, business, the economy and science.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

We crossed the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Country Life producer Gianina Schwanecke tagged along with a rural postie making the rounds ahead of Christmas.

Auckland Council is securing more burial and cremation spaces as the city's cemeteries begin to run out of capacity. Auckland Council's Park & Community Facilities General Manager Taryn Crewe spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Government is providing financial support for schools facing large bills for replacing carpet, curtains and other items because they've had contaminated asbestos sand on site. Lynda Stuart, Principal of May Road School and a member of NZEI Union spoke to Corin Dann.

The latest market updates and news from RNZ's business team.