Life And Society

David Bridger bought a piece of land in Westport 30 years ago with an old abbatoir that used to provide for the local townships. It closed down in the 1940s, and the remains of the old slaughterhose… Audio

Forty years ago, David Dwight's dad set up a company in Upper Hutt north of Wellington called Dwight's Canvas. They sold big canvas tents and Kiwis loved them. Now they're called Dwights Outdoors and… Audio

Stocism is a school of philosophy that came about in ancient Greece. But thousands of years later - it can still be used to help us manage disappointment, and misfortune. William Irvine is a… Audio

 Envisage the soft peacefulness of the pastoral life, augmented with floral print cushions and sourdough baking. New York architect and designer Kate Reggev has written about the Cottagecore movement… Audio

Former CEO of Consumer Sue Chetwin has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to consumer rights.  Audio

For the past year, former youth worker Debbie Munroe, aka 'Whaea Debs', has been the driving force behind the Waka of Caring - a foodbank and community support centre in Manurewa, South Auckland. Audio

The man who brought the America's Cup to life for TV viewers is New Zealand's newest knight in the New Year Honours list. High-tech digital pioneer, Sir Ian Taylor, who established Animation Research… Audio

As the turbulent year of 2020 comes to an end, most of us are eager to put the past 12 months behind us and pin hopes on a more settled, and improved, 2021. The year brought many struggles and endless… Audio

Distinguished professor Dame Mary Anne Salmond is to be made a member of the order of New Zealand - the country's highest honour. She's an eminent writer and social scientist who is internationally… Audio

Suzanne Snively is to be appointed Honorary Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She's being recognised for her work on anti-corruption including work across the Pacific, and has chaired… Audio

It's now been precisely one year since health authorities in Wuhan reported a cluster of cases of pneumonia to the World Health Organization. And since then, the world has waded through a crisis that… Audio

Those who are digitally savvy are being urged to take some time this summer to help elderly relatives or neighbours who may find using a computer daunting. In the 2019 Budget, $600,000 was given to… Audio

Professors Anne Salmond and Mason Durie have been appointed to the Order of New Zealand - the country's highest honour in the New Year Honours 2021 list, announced today. They're among 154 people to… Audio

Locals looking after a wildlife refuge on a Northland beach are frustarted with vehicles and dogs coming into the breeding grounds of endangered seabirds. The refuge, on the Waipu Rivermouth south of… Audio

The Auckland City Mission is expecting demand for support and food to continue to be high right through the Summer. It's noticed a marked increase for its services this year, including from families… Audio

One country perhaps more keen to see the back of 2020 than any other is Lebanon, which still reels from the blast that devastated its capital city. The explosion that rocked Beirut in August killed… Audio