RNZ: Spectrum

Spectrum's Lisa Thompson gets fired up at the Auckland Studio Potters annual Big Clay Day Out bash, an annual celebration of ceramics, food and fun held at the premises of the Auckland Studio Potters in Onehunga.

Amelia Nurse talks to Jack Kelly and Tom Horn about their business Abel Tasman Kayaks and how things have changed over the years. And she joins guide Callum O'Leary and a group of kayakers for a paddle and a few yarns.

Nairn St's Colonial Cottage, built in 1858 by William Wallis, is only a stone's throw from the central city, yet the cottage, along with its herbal garden and its heritage chickens, retain the flavour of early Wellington. Spectrum's Jack Perkins explores Colonial Cottage aided by a time line display which relates the history of the cottage and the Wallis family to events in Wellington and the wider world.

On December 23, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh began a five week tour of New Zealand which created unprecedented demonstrations of patriotism. Drawing on RNZ Archives and recollections of broadcasters and others involved, Jack Perkins looks back on the old-style Royal Roadshow. The programme was first broadcast in December 1989 and marks 60 years since the 1953-54 Royal Tour began.

Dog trainer Jo Goddard offers a variety of services which allow dogs and their owners to enjoy each other in a safe environment. Spectrum's Jack Perkins drops in on a Saturday morning training session at Canine Solutions in Seaview near Wellington.

He was New Zealand's answer to America's singing cowboys. Young Johnny Granger toured New Zealand and Australia in the 1940's, dubbed 'The Yodelling Drover'. For Spectrum, he reminisces with David Steemson.

Storyteller Tanya Batt delights new entrants at Christchurch's Discovery One school, and shares the philosophy behind her craft with Spectrum's Deborah Nation.

For almost 100 years, Stratford hospital served the people of central Taranaki. After the hospital closed in 1998, its history was preserved in the Taranaki Pioneer Village in a re-creation of the old building. Former nurses show Spectrum's Jack Perkins around the displays and recall their work in the 1960s.

Taxidermy isn't everyone's cup of tea but for Brian Staines, it's become a second career. Spectrum's Lisa Thompson spends the day with Brian and finds herself doing something she'd never imagined doing - helping to sew up a stoat!

Subantarctic voyager Henk Haazen ferries researchers down to the Antipodes Islands in preparation for the world's largest mouse eradication campaign. Spectrum's Deborah Nation boards Henk's research vessel prior to its 3 week voyage.

When he was fourteen, Keith Nicholson fell in love with the 75-foot long naval ships bought for harbour defence during World War Two. Now, fifty years later, he and partner Heather Reeve are the proud owners of one of them, 'Paea'. 'Paea' was one of sixteen bought by the navy and was in service till 1985. This year she's celebrating her 70th birthday. David Steemson has been on board.

'Rekindle' is an initiative started since the earthquakes in Canterbury which provides purposeful work for young people by giving them the opportunity to design and fashion furniture from waste wood. Spectrum's Deborah Nation explores 'Rekindle'.

Feilding Saleyards, one of the largest in the southern hemisphere, are located only two blocks from Feilding's town square. 330 sheep pens and a computerized cattle rostrum turn over $2-million a week and are the lifeblood of this rural community, only 20-minutes from Palmerston North. Spectrum's Jack Perkins attends the Friday sale where 22,000 sheep and 1,400 head of cattle go under the auctioneer's hammer.

Bespoke shoemaker Sue Engels says the first lesson she learnt was to 'touch feet without a moment of hesitation... to encourage people to relax' Sue has had over 20 years' experience understanding the different needs of her clients. Spectrum's Lisa Thompson put her best foot forward when she went to see Sue at her 'shoe shed' on Waiheke Island.

HMS Orpheus was a Royal Navy corvette that served as flagship of the Australian squadron. Orpheus sank off the west coast of Auckland on 7 February 1863. 189 crew out of the ship's complement of 259 died in the disaster. This programme marks the 150th anniversary of the worst maritime tragedy to occur in New Zealand waters. Written by Wade Doak and produced by Alwyn Owen, it was first broadcast in 1972.