Kevin McCloud: Grand Designs UK presenter ahead of his 2024 live show

Philip Duncan: WeatherWatch Head Analyst on the expected Christmas Day weather forecast

Forecasters are predicting warm weather for Christmas Day, but unwelcome surprises can't be ruled out. High pressure is expected to move over the country and leave a pleasant subtropical front in the lead-up to Christmas. But WeatherWatch Head Analyst warns some rain could affect New Zealand's West Coast and spill over into the South Island and lower North Island. "It's not locked in, we're on the edge of a system, but I think at this stage- high pressure's more powerful in December- hopefully at least over half the population should have a pretty good Christmas." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Terry Hayes: former investigative journalist turned author returns with new book 'The Year of the Locust'

The author behind the worldwide bestseller 'I Am Pilgrim' is back to give readers a follow-up. 10 years after the fact, Terry Hayes wrote and released 'The Year of the Locust', another book set in the world of intelligence. Hayes says the book was partially influenced by his own experience of loneliness during the Covid-19 pandemic. "After I submitted the manuscript, my editor said- you can tell in the book where your sojourn in Lisbon started. He said- it's fine for you to be miserable, it's not so fine for the lead character to be lonely and miserable and complaining."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Coughlan: NZ Herald deputy political editor recaps a year full of political changes

This week was another productive one for the Prime Minister- The Reserve Bank's dual mandate, the clean car discount scheme and fair pay agreements have all been scrapped.  It follows a busy year in the world of politics, with three Prime Ministers and several policy bonfires to keep track of. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says this has been the busiest year in politics since 1990. "Not only did we have Labour's sweep of changes and repeals- Labour changed Three Waters - National's coming in and changing them again. It's been a year of more changes than others." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.