8:15 Pacific Waves

A daily current affairs programme that delves deeper into the major stories of the week, through a Pacific lens, and shines a light on issues affecting Pacific people wherever they are in the world. Hosted by Susana Suisuiki.

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8:30 Tenuous Connections

Tonight, Mark Leishman is playing songs loosely associated with September.

Send your requests into nights@rnz.co.nz

9:07 Nights Quiz

Do you know your stuff? Come on the air and be grilled by Mark Leishman as he dons his quizmaster hat.

If you get an answer right, you move on to the next question. If you get it wrong, your time in the chair is up, and the next caller will be put through. The person with the most correct answers at the end of the run goes in the draw for a weekly prize.

The quiz is themed - find out more about tonight's theme on Nights' Facebook page.

9:15 This Weekend: Kiwifruit's 65th birthday

Sixty-five years ago, New Zealand saw one of the biggest - and arguably most successful - rebrands in its history

The Chinese gooseberry became the kiwifruit.

This weekend, the kiwifruit capital of Te Puke is gearing up to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

Rebecca Larsen from Epic Te Puke is at the heart of organising tomorrow's event and joins Mark Leishman.

Kiwifruit is a popular fruit to grow in Tairāwhiti.

Kiwifruit is a popular fruit to grow in Tairāwhiti. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

9:20 Focus on Politics

RNZ political reporter Lillian Hanly digs into the age-old question - did Māori cede sovereignty to the Crown? - after the debate resurfaced this week at Parliament. 

9:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic Dan Slevin joins Mark Leishman to discuss Midas Man (2024) in cinemas, prestige television classic Mad Men, and family stop-motion animation pick The Boxtrolls (2014).

Plus, celebrating some of his favourite on-screen dads.

10:17 Kiwi axe thrower propelled to 33rd in the world

When she spoke to Nights back in April, Britt Austin and her team, the All Blaxe, were just days away from a trip to the World Axe Throwing Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Britt returned ranked 33rd-equal in the world - the furthest any Kiwi has made it internationally in axe throwing.

She joins Mark Leishman.

Britt stands in front of a target wall. She holds a trophy in one hand and an axe in the other.

Britt Austin is one of a team of Kiwis travelling to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the 2024 World Axe Throwing Championships. Photo: Mike Kingdon 2024

10:30 Out Lately with Finn Johansson

He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music.

Tonight, Los Angeles indie-alt artist Mk.gee, a new single from Ngāti Hine artist MOKOTRON inspired by the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and a peek at Wormest Regards: A Worm Records compilation.

 

Music played tonight:

TRACK: Lonely Fight
ARTIST: Mk.gee

TRACK: ŌHĀKĪ
ARTIST: Mokotron

TRACK: Gary
ARTIST: Blossoms

TRACK: Bury Me Not
ARTIST: Linnea Sablosky


11:07 Concert

Aotearoa Hip Hop: The Music, The People, The History tells the story of Hip Hop in Aotearoa from its inception. 

In this six-part series Phil Bell presents a deep dive into the origins and stories of this country's love of hip hop - talking to the originators the instigators, and the influencers about how Hip Hop has imprinted itself on the fabric of New Zealand's music culture.

Tonight, part three.