Summer Times for Wednesday 21 January 2026
9:10 Black Foil strategist Liv Mackay
There's been no shortage of drama and action on the water in the SailGP series in Perth.
SailGP is a nation versus nation, close-to-shore, high-speed, high-tech racing series like no other.
High-speed means high drama when things go wrong, as the Kiwi Black Foils found out on Day one.
There was a spectacular collision between the Black Foils and the Switzerland team.
Black Foil strategist Liv Mackay shares her experience with Anna.
Photo: SailGP
9:20 Protecting our Northland Kauri
There is some exciting work going on in our historic kauri forests in the north.
Over the last few years, the Rakau Rangatira project has been building new raised walkways and shoe-cleaning stations to keep forest giants like Tane Mahuta strong and healthy.
Now, the Department of Conservation and mana whenua are rolling out the next phase.
Project manager Stephen Soole, DOC's operations manager for the Kauri Coast, joins Anna.
Photo: 123rf
9:35 Auckland Folk Festival hoping for sunshine
The Auckland Folk Festival will run from January 23-26.
The lineup boasts Canadian duos Cassie & Maggie, as well as Scott Cook and Pamela Mae, and Aotearoa's own Mel Parsons, Tom Cunliffe and Bazurka.
Emily Roughton is the director of the festival, which has been an annual fixture in Auckland for over 50 years.
Emily is a multi-instrumentalist trained in both classical and traditional folk music styles. She joins Anna.
Emily Roughton is a multi-instrumentalist trained in both classical and traditional folk music styles. She is the coordinator of the Auckland Folk Festival 2026. Photo: Emily Roughton
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.
10:10 Coromandel weather update
We cross to Coromandel for an update on flooding and road closures.
10:15 Road Trip: Shamubeel Eaqub
Today economist Shamubeel Eaqub takes us on his ultimate roadie and his top music picks to play on the way.
Shamubeel's playlist:
- All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
- Flowers - Miley Cyrus
- Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
- Given to Fly - Pearl Jam
Shamubeel Eaqub Photo: Supplied
11:10 Northland weather update
We cross to Northland where orange weather warnings are in place.
11:15 Museum Stop: Wellington Museum
Senior curator Ian Wards joins Anna Thomas for a trip to the capital's museum.
Wellington Museum Photo: supplied
11:20 US correspondent Todd Zwillich
Our DC correspondent Todd Zwillich joins Anna to discuss Europe's reaction to President Donald Trump's bid to take over Greenland, as well as the ongoing tensions with ICE in Minneapolis.
Photo: Supplied / Todd Zwillich
11:30 Counting Crows return to New Zealand
Globally favourites Counting Crows are set to touch down on Aotearoa's shores in March. They've announced a second show after their first Auckland show sold out.
Many will be familiar with their hits ‘Mr Jones’, ‘Round Here’ and ‘Accidentally in Love’.
With over 1,500 shows under their belts, this will mark their sixth visit to New Zealand.
Frontman Adam Duritz catches up with Anna from home in New York.
Counting Crows frontman, Adam Duritz. Photo: Mark Seliger
11:40 New Zealand's ghost towns with Peter Janssen
Author Peter Janssen takes Summer Times on a tour of New Zealand's ghost towns, including Port Underwood in Kakapo Bay, Shag Point in North Otago and Coroglen in the Coromandel.
New editions of the North and South Island versions of Peter's book, Worth A Detour: Hidden places and unusual attractions, were published in November.
Photo: Supplied
