Summer Times for Monday 5 January 2026

9:10 – Update from Venezuela

A day after the capture of the Venezuelan president his wife, the country has denounced the US strikes as "military aggression".

Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino says a large part of Nicolás Maduro's security team and "innocent civilians" were killed in the US operation.

Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are being held in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, to be tried on narcotics, weapons and conspiracy charges.

Meanwhile, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says America is not at war with Venezuela.

Sissi De Flaviis is a Venezuelan-born reporter based in Caracas. She joins Anna Thomas from the Venezuelan capital.

9:20am – Anyone for tennis? 

The ASB Classic is back for 2026 and it’s already shaping up as a crowd-pleaser. Twenty-two players are confirmed, with big names returning alongside some exciting new talent. 

Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin joins us for a quick-fire preview of what’s in store when the tournament serves up another summer of world-class tennis. 

9:30 Dr Arif Saeid recipient of New Year's Honour

Dr Arif Saeid arrived in New Zealand 25 years ago, and since then has been working with, and advocating for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.   Dr Saeid has also been President of the Refugee Council for more than 10 years. 

Dr Saeid has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit  for his work refugees and youth.  

He joins Anna to discuss what it's like for refugees in New Zealand today.

9:40 – NZ Place Names History 

Why do our towns and cities have the names they do? Which ones come from Māori, which from settlers, and which have quirky stories behind them? 
Peter Dowling joins us to explore all this and more, with insights from his fascinating book New Zealand Place Names: Common, Contested and Curious Names from Aotearoa to Zalatown 

10:10am – Road Trip: Sir Ashley Bloomfield 

Best known for leading New Zealand’s COVID-19 health response as Director-General of Health, Sir Ashley Bloomfield joins Anna to talk about his ideal NZ road trip — including the must-have snacks, music, and what makes the perfect drive. 

11:10 Museum Stop: Timber Museum Putaruru 

Our museum stop today is right off State Highway One in Waikato. The New Zealand Timber Museum just outside Putāruru plots the history of the timber industry which has helped shape the region's economy and identity. 

11:20am Supporting Local Music

This season on Summer Times, we’re backing local artists. Over the next three weeks, we’ll be playing a brand-new release from a New Zealand musician every day. 

Before the first track spins, NZ On Air Head of Music Teresa Patterson joins us to talk about the state of the local music industry, the challenges artists are facing, and how we can support them. 

11:35am Jono Ridler embarks on 90-day swim for the ocean 

How long can you swim before getting tired -- an hour? Two? How about 90 days? 

Jono Ridler is an ultra-marathon swimmer about to embark on a 90-day swim, covering a whopping 1600 kilometres. 

Called Swim4TheOcean, Jono’s swim is a call for a healthy ocean with a clear call to end bottom trawling. 

Wearing just togs, a swimming cap and goggles, Jono will kick off his swim from North Cape and finish in Wellington. It’s a staged swim, meaning Jono will take stops to rest and refuel. 

Jono joins Anna before jumping in the water.

11:45 Best summer Swimming Spots Around Aotearoa

From secluded sandy bays to crystal-clear alpine lakes, hidden lagoons, rivers and beaches, Aotearoa is full of places to jump in the water. 

Nicola McCloy, author of Jump In – An Insider’s Guide to New Zealand’s Best Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, Pools and Hot Springs, joins Anna to share some of her favourite swimming spots — and why she never travels without her togs ready. 

Geojumble answers: 

• Elimination - Milton 
• Attributing - Turangi 
• Defiling – Feilding