Summer Times

9:10 Looking for Aotearoa's next 'Middle Earth moment'

In 2024, New Zealand's gaming industry grew by a quarter, largely due to a government rebate scheme where studios can now claim back 20 percent of what they spend on games.

Joy Keene, the executive director of the New Zealand Game Developers Association, joins Anna Thomas to talk about what's coming next from the homegrown industry.

9:20 Timor-Leste's bid to join the ICC

It's Anna Thomas's last day at RNZ before she jets off to Timor-Leste for her next adventure.

Situated in South East Asia, northwest of Australia, the developing country only gained its independence from Indonesia in 2002.

While researching, Anna across a self-confessed "cricket tragic" Mark Young.  

He was in Timor Leste with the VSA, and when he saw locals playing cricket with homemade gear, he decided to do something about it.

Mark has helped to develop the sport to the point where Timor-Leste hopes to become the newest member of the ICC.

Any ideas for getting the cricket gear to Timor-Leste? Get in touch with Mark at mark.my@xtra.co.nz

9:45 Back to school tips

Schools are about to be back in session for 2025, and with that can come a rollercoaster of emotions.

Transitioning back to the school routine, navigating friendships, and getting enough sleep are among the myriad of challenges young people deal with once they get back to the classroom.

It can be hard to know how to support as a parent, and with us to share some timely advice is Ingrid Kemp, part of the team at the Life Education Trust, known for their friend Harold the Giraffe.

9:55 Geo Jumble

Tune in to see if you can untangle a bumper-sized four European cities from four given words. Text 2101 with the correct answers.

attraction - rebelliousness - postgraduate - innovate

10:08 Road Trip: Greg Foran

From humble beginnings stocking supermarket shelves in Hamilton, today's road trip guest worked his way up to become CEO of Walmart in the U.S. before deciding it was time to come home.

You will know Greg Foran as the Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand. Always calm and measured, he's known for occasionally working with flight attendants and baggage handlers, but today we find out what makes him tick.

With the planes firmly grounded, Greg joins Anna on a road trip, setting a course for Mangakuri Beach, picking the tunes, and sharing the books and shows that he loves.

Greg's playlist:

• Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
• Leaving on a Jet Plane - Chantal Kreviazuk
• Under Pressure - David Bowie and Queen

10:45 Museum stop: Steampunk HQ

Today for our museum stop, we're heading to the steampunk capital of world - Ōamaru!

Housed in an stunning limestone building, the museum takes you inside the fascinating world of steampunk - a Victorian view of the future where everything is powered by steam.

To tell us all about it, Steampunk HQ Manager Jan Kennedy joins Anna.

11:08 Talking tinnitus with senior clinical audiologist Duncan Hann

Duncan Hann used to actually suffer from tinnitus - a persistent ringing in the ears - while playing in bands, which eventually led to a master's thesis in tinnitus.

He joins Anna Thomas to answer all your questions about tinnitus - text 2101 or email summertimes@rnz.co.nz.

11:25 Tech talk with Finn Hogan

Tech expert Finn Hogan joins Anna Thomas to look at the Stargate announcement from President Trump, AI under the microscope in Hollywood this Oscars season, and Elon Musk's alleged cheating in a New Zealand video game.

11:40 Music review with DJ Sticky Fingers

Rounding off three weeks of Summer Times with the enigmatic Brad Warrington aka DJ Sticky Fingers.

11:55 Geo Jumble answers

Did you get the right answers? Tune in for the unscrambled European city names.