Language

The word 'culture' has been named the 2014 word of the year. Merriam-Webster based its pick on significant increases in lookups this year on its website Merriam-Webster.com. Peter Sokolowski is the… Audio

The Māori word of the week is: kaukau - swim. E mōhio ana koe ki te kaukau? Do you know how to swim? Audio

Poet Leonel Alvarado was born in Honduras, lived in the US and now calls New Zealand home. He moved here more than a decade ago to lecture at Massey University in Palmerston North. Now he's published… Audio

Poet, painter, curator and writer discussing the highlights in New Zealand poetry for 2014. Audio

Melbourne-based New Zealand lyricist and vocalist with the groups HomeBrew and @Peace, and member of the Young Gifted and Broke collective of artists. Audio

The Wanganui District Council has this evening rejected adding the letter H to the spelling of its name. Audio

The Māori word of the week is: rā whānau - birhday. Hei ti Hakihea taku rā whānau. My birthday's in December. Audio

Tamati Waaka says that for many marae across Aotearoa there is always that funny whanau member that can tell a good story, whether it's an uncle or aunty, it's always that person who can tell a… Audio

The plain English movement has been going for some years now - Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the Plain English Awards it's aim: To get organisations to commuicate in clear easily… Audio

It's time to throw away the jargon and celebrate plain English. The 2014 Plain English Awards are on tomorrow night. They aim to celebrate clear communication and shame the use of meaningless drivel… Audio

The Māori word of the week is: pāremata - parliament. Kōtahi rau e rua tekau mā tahi ngā mema pāremata. There are 121 members of parliament. Audio

Acclaimed Irish singer Pauline Scanlon, New Zealand international touring guitarist Gerry Paul, and Trinity Roots frontman Warren Maxwell, who are joined by Irish musicians Alan Doherty and Tola Custy… Audio

Editors of Tell You What: 2015, a collection of some of the best recent New Zealand non-fiction writing. Audio

Chief executive and part owner of the screen production company Gibson Group, director of Screenrights in Australia, and chair for twelve years of BATS Theatre Limited. Audio

A trust from a small island off the coast of Tauranga is claiming victory after successfully fighting to have the spelling of their turangawaewae corrected in official documents. Audio

The Māori word of the week is: āporo - apple. Tapatapahia ngā āporo. Slice the apples. Audio

Indian music, food and dance lit up Wellington recently when a renowned dance troupe from northeast India helped celebrate the annual Diwali Festival of Lights. Lynda meets award winning international… Audio

People and groups keeping Te Reo Maori alive have been recognised. The Nga Tohu Reo Maori awards have been held in Rotorua. From Te Manu Korihi news, Laura Bootham reports. Audio

The Māori word of the week is: Ko Ōtākaro te awa, ko Ōtautahi te taone. The river is Avon, the city is Christchurch. Audio