Nights for Tuesday 25 February 2025

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 New Zealanders delaying OE, study shows

A survey of a thousand people commissioned by Auckland Airport has found that Kiwis are taking their OE (overseas experience) later in life, staying for a shorter period of time, and that London is falling out of favour as a destination.

To discuss what's driving the change, David Lacire of recruitment firm Robert Walters joins Emile Donovan.

8:45 The Reading

Tonight, part six of 'How to Walk a Dog', written and read here by Mike White.

9:07 Nights Quiz

Do you know your stuff? Come on the air and be grilled by Emile Donovan 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.

9:25 Museum stop: Cyril Callister Museum

Nights is endeavouring to put a digital foot in the door of every weird and wonderful museum the world has on offer.

Tonight, we're headed to the town of Beaufort in Victoria, Australia, to visit the Cyril Callister Museum.

The name may be unfamiliar, but his work is not: Cyril invented Vegemite back in 1923.

Cyril's grandson, Jamie Callister from the Cyril Callister Foundation, joins Emile for a virtual tour.

9:35 Shower Thoughts: Why do humans have different blood types?

Every Tuesday on Nights we try to answer your curious questions about the world and how it works.

Tonight: why do human beings have different blood types? What do the different types mean?

NZ Blood Service's transfusion medicine specialist Richard Charlewood joins Emile Donovan to explain.

10:17 What will happen next if Pope Francis dies

Pope Francis remains in a critical condition, after he was diagnosed with double pneumonia and admitted to a Roman hospital on February 14.

While the 88-year old Pope continues to fight his illness, many will be wondering who will take his place as the visible head of the Catholic church if he dies.

Dr Nick Thompson of the University of Auckland's school of theological and religious studies joins Emile Donovan to share insight into the time-honoured traditions that are laid down for the Pope's succession.

10:30 Kiwi tech surveying world's largest oil pipeline

Hamilton-based company NZAero has recently acquired the contract for surveillance of a US oil pipeline.

The 29,000 kilometre pipe runs from the Gulf of Mexico through the US and into Canada. It's transported nearly 37 billion barrels of oil over the past decade.

The E-350 Expeditions made by NZAero fly at an altitude of 200 metres along the network, identifying hazards and helping to prevent damage.

Chief executive of NZAero Stephen Burrows joins Emile Donovan.

10:45 February 25 1943: Featherston's darkest day

On this day in 1943, 48 Japanese prisoners of war and one New Zealand guard were killed at the POW Camp just outside the Wairarapa town of Featherston.

The Featherston POW incident, as it has come to be known, started after some prisoners refused to work, staging a sit-down strike. In the confusion, a guard fired a warning shot which may have wounded a prisoner. When the other prisoners rose to their feet, the guards opened fire. 

Details of the incident were censored, and the government has never made a formal apology.

Wairarapa Archive historian and archivist Mark Pacey has spent years researching the camp and joins Emile Donovan to reflect.

11:07 Worlds of Music

Trevor Reekie hosts a weekly music programme celebrating an eclectic mix of 'world' music, fusion and folk roots.