Summer Times for Thursday 15 January 2026

9:10 New Plymouth: The sunniest spot in New Zealand?

Anna is joined by the Mayor of the New Plymouth District, Max Brough. 

9:20 The latest in Australia with correspondent Nick Grimm

Aussie correspondent Nick Grimm joins Anna to recap the state of play on the Victorian bushfires. 

They also take a look at the controversy surrounding the Adelaide Writers Week – which led ultimately to its cancellation – and chew over the impending launch of a New Zealand Michelin Guide, which won’t be coming to Australia. 

Lastly, they investigate the hangry goat that caused thousands in damages to a Cobar business. 

9:35 Food brain behind Ada launches new offering

Fran Mazza and her husband Aaron Carson are the masterminds behind award-winning Grey Lynn restaurant Ada. 

They also established the iconic Winona Forever in Parnell, Barbarinos in Avondale and Sugar at the Chelsea Sugar Factory in Birkenhead. 

Their latest project is Agnes, located in Birkenhead and very soon set to open its doors to the public for the first time. The restaurant will run as a café during the day and a bistroni in the evening. 

Fran joins Anna to give the lowdown on Agnes, and to chew over her lifelong passion for cooking food. 

9:55 Geo Jumble 

Each day Summer Times hosts the Geo Jumble quiz, in which listeners are asked to unscramble the letters within given words to spell out New Zealand towns and cities. 

The first to text in all three correct answers is entered in a weekly prize draw. 

Text in your answer to 2101. 

10:15 Road Trip: Desley Simpson

Auckland's deputy mayor and Orakei ward councillor Desley Simpson is jumping in the car for a road trip.

Desley's playlist:

• Thank You for the Music - ABBA

• Jump (For My Love) - The Pointer Sisters

• That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick

11:10 Museum Stop: Te Toiuku Clay Museum - Crown Lynn

Auckland's famous Crown Lynn pottery works closed down more than 35 years ago, but a fascination with its cups, plates, jugs and ceramics endures at the Te Toi Uku Crown Lynn Clayworks Museum and beyond. 

Located on the old factory site, the museum has a rich history. 

Director Louise Stevenson joins Anna to share more. 

11:20 Beoga: The Irish folk group behind Ed Sheeran’s ‘Galway Girl’ 

One of Ireland’s most exciting musical exports, Beoga, are in the studio for a live performance.

The group have been honing their craft for over two decades, channeling unique Celtic sounds with a dynamic mix of fiddle, accordian, bodhrán, keys and song.

Beoga found international acclaim through collaboration on Ed Sheeran’s 2015 album ÷ (Divide), and return to Aotearoa for the first time in over a decade to play in support of the star for two nights at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. The five-piece also has dates set for Auckland, Kerikeri, Wellington and Christchurch.

11:40 Podcast review with Tessa Guest 

Tessa joins Anna once more to review a fresh batch of podcasts. Among them is Cross Party Lines, a new weekly political podcast hosted by former cabinet ministers Chris Finlayson (National), Phil Goff (Labour) and Sam Collins (producer). 

Tessa also reviews Not Built for This, a mini-series by 99% Invisible that explores how climate change lays bare the vulnerabilities in an American-built environment.