Between the high cost of living and a slew of toys failing safety tests, buying Christmas presents for kids is fraught

How to shop for your kids this Christmas, in the wake of the asbestos-contaminated sand, toy recalls, and children's products failing safety tests

Guests:

• Gemma Rasmussen - Consumer NZ head of research and advocacy
• Mareta Hunt - Safekids Aotearoa Poutokomanawa/Director

Learn More:

• Toy safety tips
• More about recent tests of toys from Shein, Ali Express, eBay and Amazon here and here

Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A year of highs, lows and hard questions: Inside New Zealand's rollercoaster sporting season

The country's biggest sports teams delivered everything from turmoil to triumph in 2025, with a mixed bag of results across rugby, league, netball and cricket, with off-field drama often dominating headlines.

Guests:

• Rikki Swannell - Sports commentator and journalist

Learn More:

• The Post's All Blacks season player ratings
• RNZ's deep dive into the Netball NZ and Dame Noeline Taurua incident
• RNZ's piece on the Silver Ferns' win over England
• More rugby news here and here
• More on the Warriors here
• More on NZ football here
• Liam Lawson's 2026 season confirmation

Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The opening has been pushed back again, the price is extraordinary, but Auckland's City Rail Link is expected to deliver the region the wow factor

Those in charge of the country's most expensive transport infrastructure are confident the new timetable for opening will stick - but they won't name a date

Guests:

• Alan Trestour - CRL Head of Delivery for Auckland Transport
• Patrick Brockie - CRL chief executive
• Stacey van der Putten - Auckland Transport director of public transport and active modes
• Russell McMullan - CRL Assurance and Integration general manager
• Adrian Price - Auckland Transport head of completion of Karanga-a-Hape station

Learn More:

• CRL official website

Find The Detail on Newsroom or RNZ

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details