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A wrap of the day's big stories

China is criticised for a ballistic missile test; the CNMI begins to recover from Super Typhoon Bavi; we ask what Matariki means across the region; and New Zealand celebrates Kiribati language week.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

Victoria Campbell is the general manager of the Dark Sky Project, a joint venture involving Ngai Tahu, which organises stargazing tours at Mount St John near Tekapo in the southern alps. They're celebrating 20 years in astrotourism this Matariki.

In 1865, government forces planned an expedition against the Pai Marire community at Waerenga-a-Hika pa, near Gisborne. The pa had become a refuge for several hundred people who made up over half the Turanga Maori population, fleeing the East Coast Wars. Government agent Donald McLean assembled a mixed force of Ngati Porou volunteers and European troops, including Military Settlers and the East Ca...

The top stories and other headlines at midday

Our resident gardening expert is back, this time to talk about all things Matariki. Hannah Zwartz has over 30 years' experience gardening professionally, including looking after the herb and succulent areas at Wellington Botanic Garden and running community market gardens in the Hutt Valley. She speaks with Paddy Gower about making the most of this time of year and answers your listener questions.

Majic won Best Maori Female Solo Artist at the Waiata Maori Music Awards in 2015 and she's putting together a concert which is next weekend to mark Matariki. She's undertaken the task on behalf of her iwi - Ngaati Whatua Orakei - which is the host this year of the national hautapu ceremony which you'll have heard a bit from here on RNZ National yesterday.

From a home perched impossibly on the side of hills, to a flat pack build that needs only three people to put together - our landscape hosts some rather unique dwellings. Simon Devitt is an award-winning photographer, and Andrea Stevens is a writer with a background in architecture. Together they've teamed up, collating New Zealand's most interesting homes into a coffee table book called 'Cape to...

Poi E is right up there with iconic Kiwi songs. The chart-topping waiata is 42 years old and still going strong. The Patea Maori Club is still going strong too - they were performing just last night. Paddy is joined by Laura Maruera, who as chair person keeps the club in line. She joins Paddy from Patea, along with foundational members, twins Bib and Bub.

Now, granted, it is a long weekend - and you have every right to put your feet up and relax - but if you're worried about becoming a winter couch potato, then this might be for you. The Winter 31 Club is a 31 day yoga challenge inspired by Matariki. Katie Deare is from the Sun Salute Yoga Centre in Hamilton to talk it over.

The Doc Edge Festival is on at the moment with screenings at all the main centres. There's even a Virtual Cinema launching at the end of the month - so no one is missing out. Always close to the action was our very own Mihi Forbes who Paddy speaks with live from the launch of the latest important chapter in the NZ Wars series: Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika

Veteran war correspondent Cameron Bennett joins Paddy to talk about the NZ Wars documentary: Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika. Cameron's directed the doco about the six day siege at Waerenga-a-Hika, a pa site close to Gisborne.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport

Two things you'll find in Golden Bay are horopito and takahe, and they're two things that father daughter duo Peter and Lucy Butler have put together. Peter Butler transitioned from a failing organic kiwifruit orchard to successfully farming the native horopito plant. He's also behind Health Post - New Zealand's largest natural health and wellness store - which is 100% NZ family-owned - founded by...

A recent study has revealed that there are vast and mysterious underground networks of fungi right under our feet. These organisms are so small they can't be seen by the naked eye, yet they're foundational to the health of soil and the wellbeing of plants. Katie Field is a Professor in Plant-Soil Processes at the University of Sheffield. She joins Paddy.

Those of us who sit at a desk for most of the day know the importance of taking a break. New research has figured out exactly how often we should get up and move around. The study found taking a short walking break every 20 minutes reduces blood sugar and insulin. University of Otago PhD graduate and lecturer in physical activity and nutrition behaviour at AUT Dr Jen Gale is the lead author in the...

One of the most senior figures in global anti-doping is a New Zealander. David Howman is Chairman of the International Athletics Integrity Unit which polices athletics. But before that, David spent 13 years at the World Anti Doping Agency as it's director general. Paddy speaks with him about developments this week which have seen the International Olympic Committee provisionally lift its suspensio...

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport

This morning's top stories and other headlines

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport

Pacific communities urged to prepare for what could be the strongest ever El Nino; Pasifika opera finalists take to the stage this weekend and in sport, stage set for round two of the Nations Championship.

A meteorologist is warning Pacific communities to prepare now for what experts are predicting to be a historically strong El Niño.

Three Pacific singers are set to take centre stage at this weekend's Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest final - one of New Zealands most prestigious opera competitions.

Round two of both the Nations Championship and Nations Cup gets underway.