Media Releases
RNZ Summer Highlights
Released at 1:15 pm on 16 December 2025
16 December 2025
RNZ National Summer Programme Highlights
W/c Monday 22 December
Bryan Crump, Monday – Wednesday, 9am-midday
Matinee Idle with Simon Morris and Phil O’Brien, 12:30-5pm Friday
W/c Monday 29 December
Matinee Idle with Simon Morris and Phil O’Brien, 12:30-5pm weekdays
W/c Monday 5 January
Morning Report with Melissa Chan-Green, 8-9am weekdays
Summer Times with Anna Thomas, 9am-midday weekdays
Matinee Idle with Simon Morris and Phil O’Brien, 12:30-5pm weekdays
Summer Weekends with Emile Donovan and Bonnie Harrison, 9am-midday weekends
W/c Monday 12 January
Morning Report with Melissa Chan-Green and Lauren Crimp, 7-9am weekdays
Summer Times with Anna Thomas, 9am-midday weekdays
On the Air with Mark Williams and Maggie Tweedie, 12:30-5pm weekdays
Summer Weekends with Susana Leia’taua, 9am-midday weekends
W/c Monday 19 January
Morning Report with Melissa Chan-Green and Lauren Crimp, 7-9am weekdays
Summer Times with Anna Thomas, 9am-midday weekdays
On the Air with Mark Williams and Maggie Tweedie, 12:30-5pm weekdays
Summer Weekends with Susana Leia’taua, 9am-midday weekends
Summer programming for RNZ National and RNZ Concert begins on Monday 22 December, with the regular schedule returning the week commencing 26 January.
Summer Releases
PODCAST | ENVIRONMENTAL
Kākāpo Files II
Launches today
Hosted by former Our Changing World host Alison Ballance, Kākāpō Files is back after six years. With the international popularity of kākāpō only growing and more people applying to volunteer on the islands, it’s hoped this breeding season will be the biggest, most successful one yet. But the challenges of finding suitable habitats and the new threat of avian influenza means it’s not all smooth sailing.
Listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts and podcast platforms. Made in collaboration with DOC's kākāpō recovery programme
PODCAST | TAMARIKI
Suzy and Friends
New season starts Monday 5 January
Join Suzy & Friends for a weekly slice of a Kiwi kid’s life! Kids share their thoughts, talents, and tales; and hosts Suzy Cato and Trevor Plant share songs, stories, and silliness. Listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts or on podcast apps. Made with support from NZ on Air.
PODCASTS | POLITICS
Politics NZ
From Monday 26 January
If you follow New Zealand politics, you'll want to follow Politics NZ. Get Nine to Noon Politics, The Whip, Morning Report's politicians panel, Focus on Politics, The House, and Context all in one feed each day. Follow on your favourite podcast app or listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts. Politics NZ artwork is adapted from ‘Sketch for new Parliament building, Wellington’ (1964) by Sir Basil Spence. Courtesy of Gillian Blee and the National Library of New Zealand.
PODCAST | HISTORY
Black Sheep
Friday 30 January
Black Sheep returns for its 9th season with a new cast of rogues, villains and controversial characters: Murderous nurses, foul-mouthed goldfield barkeepers, sly grogging kāuri gum dealers and more! Join William Ray as he looks at the darker side of New Zealand history. Listen at rnz.co.nz/podcasts or on podcast apps, or on RNZ National on Sundays at 7am.
PODCASTS | HISTORY, TE AO MĀORI
The Negotiators
Thursday 29 January
Meet the gutsy characters that steered their tribes through a minefield of complex treaty settlement negotiations. How do ordinary individuals cope with the weight of collective expectation as they come face to face with the formidable might of the Crown? This is their personal story. Listen to the podcast of the Whakaata Māori show at rnz.co.nz/podcasts or on podcast apps. Made with support from NZ on Air.
Best of 2025
Enjoy the best of RNZ’s podcasts and video documentaries over the summer, tune in to your summer classical playlist on RNZ Concert, and keep up with the latest news at rnz.co.nz and on RNZ National.
PODCAST | HEALTH & WELLBEING
The Lodge
#1 Best Docos of 2025 (Spoitify)
#4 Top New Shows of 2025 (Apple Podcasts)
#5 Breakout Kiwi Creators 2025 (Spotify)
#7 Top Episodes of 2025 – Distant Bells (Apple Podcasts)
#9 Top Series of 2025 (Apple Podcasts)
PODCAST | INTERVIEW
Kim Hill Wants to Know
#1 Top New Shows of 2025 (Apple Podcasts)
#2 Top Episodes of 2025 – What’s Changed for Malcolm Gladwell (Apple Podcasts)
#2 Top Society & Culture of 2025 (Apple Podcasts)
#4 Most Followed Show (Apple Podcasts)
#10 Most Shared Episode – Whether Boris Johnson is Attempting to Salvage His Political Career (Apple Podcasts)
PODCAST | HISTORY
Kelly Tarlton's Final Treasure Hunt
Gold Podcast of the Year (NZ Podcast Awards)
Gold Best Documentary Podcast (NZ Podcast Awards)
Gold Best History Podcast (NZ Podcast Awards)
Silver Best Factual Podcast (NZ Podcast Awards)
PODCAST | CURRENT AFFAIRS
The Detail
Gold Best Current Affairs Podcast (NZ Podcast Awards)
PODCAST | TE REO MĀORI
Witi Underwater
#3 Best Docos of 2025 (Spotify)
Bronze Best Radio Podcast (NZ Podcast Awards)
PODCAST | TRUE CRIME
Nark
#7 Best True Crime of 2025 (Spotify)
PODCAST | HISTORY
The Stolen Children of Aotearoa
#6 Best Docos of 2025 (Spotify)
#9 Breakout Kiwi Creators (Spotify)
VIDEO | SPORT, TE REO MĀORI
Ruamata: It's More than Hockey 2
Best Te Reo Māori Programme (NZ Screen Awards)
VIDEO | HISTORY
The Haka Party Incident
Best Director, Documentary Feature – Katie Wolfe (NZ Screen Awards)
ENDS
