Summer Times for Thursday 8 January 2026

9:10 Life on the road with Stella and Paul Richards 

Stella and Paul Richards locked up their New Plymouth home three years ago and never looked back. Since then, they've travelled the length and breadth of New Zealand year-round. Their cat, Maggie, is along for the ride. 

The couple - in their 50s and 60s – initially planned to pick up work en route. However, a case of Covid on their first day on the road resulted in the development of Long Covid for Paul. 

The couple join Anna from the caravan at Lake Whakamaru, on the mighty Waikato River. 

 

9:30 Checking in with Nick Grimm 

Now, it's hotting up here - with temperatures heading up towards the mid thirties in Hastings tomorrow. But how about 40... and higher? 

Parts of Australia have had their hottest days in years, with temperatures soaring to above 40 degrees Celsius in some regions. 

There are bushfires and grassfires in Victoria, and an out-of-control bushfire near Perth. 

The heat is expected to peak in Sydney at the weekend, from where our Aussie correspondent Nick Grimm joins Anna. 

 

9:45 Toys and trinkets: Tech trends to expect in 2026 

The world's largest tech event is underway in Las Vegas. The Consumer Electronics Show is where all the new tech toys and gadgets for the coming year are unveiled. Our own Mr Gadget Mark Pesce is there to tell Anna what we'll be buying, watching and playing with in 2026.

 

10:10 On the road with Richard Chambers 

The Commissioner of Police, Richard Chambers, selects tracks to soundtrack his ideal road trip.

Richard’s selections: 

Billy Joel – Piano man 

New Radicals – You Get What You Give 

Queen – Radio Ga Ga 

Rema – Calm Down 

The Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother 

11:10 Museum Stop: The Holden Museum 

If you're of a certain age, you'll remember the saying 'There's nothing like a Holden'. 

Today's museum stop will see us pull into the Holden Museum, located in New Plymouth. For ardent Holden enthusiast Steve Fabish, the cultivation of the museum has been a labour of love. 

He joins Anna to talk it over. 

 

11:20 Chasing a Plate: Thomas and Sheena Southam 

Thomas and Sheena Southam travel the world in search of the best food on the planet. 

The adventurous pair have accumulated over 30 million views across their YouTube channel, Chasing a Plate, where they post videos of their travels. 

They chat with Anna about their upcoming move to Melbourne. 

 

11:40 Podcast review with Tessa Guest 

Today, The Panel's very own Tessa Guest reviews the following podcasts:

• Deep Water: An Investigation Into a Free Diving Scandal by Lydia Gard of The Observer
• Off Menu by Jane Acaster and Ed Gamble

Geojumble answers: 

• Washerwoman - Hawea 
• Renumbering - Brunner 
• Understatement - Dunstan