Whanganui and Manawatu

Justin Gregory takes the Forgotten World Highway to stay at an historic hotel, rediscover a lost civilisation, talk about the past, present and future and join the locals for a drink or two as they… Audio

For many Kiwis and international visitors, the Ruapehu region has been primarily known for its winter playground appeal, but now with canoeing, kayaking and jet boating trips down the Whanganui River… Audio

The Tongariro Crossing has been billed as the best daywalk in the country - crossing the active volcanic plateau between Mount Ngarahoe and Mount Tongariro in the Central North Island. Audio

We visit some of New Zealand's most reportedly haunted locations to find out the stories behind them. This week, we'll hear about the spooky goings-on at Chateau Tongariro. Audio

Dan Steele is an eco farmer, environmentalist, tourism operator and bush aficionado. He farms over 5,000 acres in a remote area of the Ruapehu District, an area that was once given by the Government… Audio

Sister Sue Cosgrove is one of the Sisters of Compassion, formerly of the Jerusalem convent founded by Suzanne Aubert on the Whanganui River, and now of the Home of Compassion at Island Bay. A… Audio

Kennedy Warne talks about travelling the Whanganui river road. Audio

Dannevirke, Norsewood, Berlins: with Peter Dowling, revising editor of AW Reed's dictionary of New Zealand place names. Audio

Last year we spoke with one of the volunteers at the The Fantasy Cave in Dannevirke, which was under threat of closing down. Well it did close down, for two weeks, but now a sponsor has saved the… Audio

Former Hamilton Senior Sergeant Bruce Lyon has a new beat. He chucked in his 36 year career with the New Zealand Police to establish the International Police Museum in Dannevirke. Audio

It only happens four times a year, in a month with a fifth Sunday, the gates of the historic Old Gorge Cemetery in Woodville swing open for special tours with guides who know the stories behind the… Audio

Stephen Berg has been with this museum in Palmerston North for five years. Audio

Papaitonga is the name that Sir Walter Buller gave to his country estate. It was his site for a 'grand theatre' of Maori artefacts, and also the place where the philosophy of modern conservation was… Audio

Dan Bergin sings a tribute to his Irish grandmother as part of his recollections of Wanganui's Dublin Street and the colourful folk who lived there in the 1930s. Audio

Māori protestors camping at Wanganui's Moutoa gardens were awoken to the sound of shots being fired near their campsite. A live interview with protest spokesperson Ken Mair.

(Sound Archives MR950303)

A weakness most monuments share is a tendency to fix one view of history, often a view not everyone shares. The Moutoa Monument in Moutoa Gardens, Wanganui, is a perfect example. Erected by grateful… Audio

It has been over 60 years since trams operated in Whanganui, but soon the clickety-clack sound of a tram will be making a comeback in the North Island town. Jim Auker and the Tramways Wanganui Trust… Audio

Music 101 presenter Kirsten Johnstone braves the late-night wilds of Whanganui to expose the pale musical underbelly. Audio

Whanganui could well claim to be the heart of glass, given it's the home of one of the main glass art institutions and many glass artists choose to live there. Audio