Jack Perkins

Nine months of work by dozens of volunteers has restored the near-derelict Plimmerton railway station, north of Wellington, to its former glory. The grand opening involved a steam train and guests… Audio

Nigel Ogle, artist, model maker and Tawhiti musem curator, has created a life-sized wonderland of early Taranaki history. Weta Workshop, of Lord of the Rings fame, have also helped. Audio

Laura has Down's syndrome and she loves to dance. Her parents, German immigrants Nina and Christian, encourage her independence through dancing. Together they tell the story of life with Laura, and… Audio

Spectrum visits a converted villa in Christchurch which is now the Canterbury Charity Hospital - a state of the art day surgery facility which helps people who fall through the cracks of the public… Audio

A reunion rekindles memories of Wellington's Monde Marie coffee bar which opened in 1958 and became a haven for lovers of folk music and counterculture. Also featured are recordings of the… Audio

On a misty day at Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula, Manager Hugh Wilson looks back on his life as a botanist and free spirit. Audio

'Enchantment pervades this matchless garden'- that's what one visitor said about Efil Doog (Good Life backwards) Gardens. Spectrum surrenders itself to 11 acres of whimsy, water and wonder north of… Audio

Ant Kite bought his first 1940s Ford Anglia, with help from his dad, when he was just thirteen. Younger brother Chris got an old Ford Prefect when he turned thirteen too. Both brothers are long time… Audio

As part of the celebrations for its first ten years, Wellington's Museum of City and Sea invited the public to bring along their curios and artifacts for free expert appraisal. Audio

Artist Lauren Lysaght makes hearses, kit set tombstones, even bombs in perspex. Each of her pieces is a tongue-in-cheek provocative poke at life's injustices. Audio

Kwanzaa the African Shop in downtown Wellington is overflowing with figurines, batik and all kinds of decorative goods from 15 African countries. But even more interesting are the Africans who gather… Audio

Gary Diprose teaches farming skills to youth offenders. The programme has just reached a 50 percent success rate for helping students to obtain NCEA Level 1, significantly higher than national… Audio

Spectrum's Jack Perkins finds the unexpected when his exploration of Wellington's fire-fighting history, in a museum behind the central fire station, is interrupted by a call-out. Audio

Jack and Noelle to take a look back at the Royal visit to New Zealand in 1953 which revolutionised how live events were broadcast. Audio

Otaki hospital opened in 1899 and now it's a women's health centre. For much of last century it was a maternity hospital. At an open day, former nurses, midwives, and mothers, celebrate the hospital's… Audio

Little Portia of Panmure and young Bradley of Westmere have new playmateschooks. Their parents have just installed a hen house and chickens in their suburban gardens."Chickens@ home"is the brain child… Audio

A Catholic youth group and a variety of interested adults visit a Hindu Temple and a Mosque to find out more about faiths other than Christianity. Audio

Jailhouse hostel owner Grant Parrett gives a tour of Addington Prison where backpackers have replaced prisoners. Audio

It's his first day back on duty at Burnham Military Camp for Company Sergeant Major Paul Mumm since returning from Afghanistan. After 5 months at the kiwi base, in the Hindu Kush mountain region… Audio

Spectrum joins the Defense Force's person of the year Carol Voyce as she reconnects with a commanding officer on his first day back at Burnham Military Camp after a six-month stint in Afghanistan. Audio