Names
Does naming objects change our relationship with them?
Are you someone who gives things like your phone or car names? When we give things like cars or other important objects in our lives names, we change the way we interact with them, and we may be more… Audio
Restoring names for indigenous flora
What's in a name? Two Auckland academics have just released a report arguing for a change to naming conventions for native plants. Audio
The Panel with Sam Stubbs and Ali Jones
This morning our panellists discussed the sudden axing of a sports producer after a controversial column about women's rugby, widespread criticism of the Fair Pay Agreements and and acceptable names… Audio
Places, Names & Identity in the Landscape
Nights Geographer Louise Richards is back with us again. She's invited Professor Robin Kearns from the School of Environment at The University of Auckland to talk about the significance of place… Audio
Most popular surnames in Auckland
Auckland's list of popular baby surnames exemplifies the changing demographics of modern New Zealand. The Panel speaks to Harpreet Singh, founder of the charity Sikh Aware. Audio
Calls for Christchurch to be renamed Ōtautahi
There are calls for Christchurch to be renamed with its Māori place name, Ōtautahi. The Panel speaks to Anselm Haanen, the chair of The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa about… Audio
Story of the Day with Robert Kelly
The town of Asbestos in Quebec is trying to come up with a new name. They've got four options and are looking for input. Rob Kelly has a look at the towns that, by no fault of their own, end up with… Audio
Christchurch architect represents NZ at historic 'Nigel Night'
Last week, Nigel Hughes travelled to a village pub near London (where he's currently living) to attend a special gathering of men who share his name. He tells us what it was like partying with 432… Audio, Gallery
Professor Penny Pexman: What's in a Name?
Professor Penny Pexman was part of a team that conducted a series of studies looking at sound symbolism in names and the findings were fascinating. Audio
Getting to grips with language: 'The Allusionist'
The English language is full of weird and wonderful words and 'The Allusionist' (Radiotopia) delights in finding the stories behind them and discovering how we're using language today. We share some… Audio
Yay or nay: hyphenated surnames
Alex Liddington-Cox writes in Essential Baby that his child will be taking their mother's surname, because of the hell of a having a double-barrelled name. Audio
Cafe forced to change it's name
Some goings on in Dunedin the home of Panelist Ian Telfer. A cafe has been forced to change it's name after an intellectual property dispute with a US company. There are calls for the city's St Clair… Audio
Does an unusual name invite ridicule?
An American woman is outraged that her five year-old daughter, named Abcde, was mocked by staff at Southwest Airlines. Audio
Importance of culturally proficient teachers
How important is it to pronounce a student's name properly?. Dr Punita Rice is an education researcher and academic adviser with John Hopkins University in the US. She has very firm views on teachers… Audio
Changing names change history
There's a recommendation that the city of Austin in Texas change its name. This is because the man behind the name Stephen F Austin was an enthusiastic slave-owner. It seems the name won't be changed… Audio
Origins of countries' names
Argentina comes from "land beside the silvery river", Venezuela means "little Venice", Brazil means red like an ember, Spain comes from land of many rabbits.The Credit Card Compare site in Australia… Audio
The name game
Celebrity cook Annabel Langbein is in hotwater over a Mother's Day competition in the NZ Women's Weekly. Audio
Too many Victorias - University considers name change
Victoria University says there are too many institutions with a similar name, and it is often being confused with Melbourne's Victoria University. Audio
The rise of the hyphenated name
Are hyphenated names in vogue? With more women choosing to keep their surnames and giving double-barrelled last, and first, names, there seems to be many more hypens abound. Is it too hard on kids or… Audio
$100k for a new road name
Jordan Willams of the Taxpayers Union on a $100 000 highway re-naming exercise. Audio