Nights for Tuesday 4 March 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 Kiwi to defend gold in world singles croquet title

Jenny Clarke didn't think much of croquet when she first picked up the sport.

Studying a PhD in physics at Oxford University, she needed an alternative to cricket due to a back injury.

She would've been the last to guess that in the decades to come, the sport would take her around the globe, earn her several titles and lead her to meet her husband Chris.

But Jenny has plenty more to do, despite being ranked the top women for most of the last 15 years, and 20th in the world overall.

She wants more gold, and the world open singles later this month will be the perfect opportunity.

In a few weeks she's heading to Mauritius, an island about 2000 kilometres off the southeastern coast of East Africa, to defend her champion title. She joins Mark Leishman.

8:45 The Reading

All good things must come to an end sometime as you will hear in the reading tonight.

We have the final reading from How to Walk a Dog written and told 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 The Ambassadors: H.E. Keith Smith, High Commissioner of Canada

In a new Nights feature, we talk to ambassadors and high commissioners to New Zealand from around the world, countries big and small.

Tonight, we meet H.E. Keith Smith, High Commissioner of Canada.

9:45 Shower Thoughts: Why are computer keyboards laid out the way they are?

Have you ever been standing in the shower, when suddenly, the noise in your brain clears and in it's place appears the perfect thought.

That's a Shower Thought, and here on Nights we're aiming to answer those unshakeable questions lurking in the back of your mind.

Tonight, we're uncovering the secrets behind our computer keyboards, and why they're laid out the way they are.

Emeritus Professor, Geo. Cumming from La Trobe University in Australia joins Mark Leishman. 

10:17 Is a marmite sandwich enough for school lunches? We ask a dietician

Many of us will have grown up with the kiwi classic of marmite sandwiches.

The marmite sandwich has been making headlines today, with the Prime Minister suggesting that parents who are dissatisfied with the new school lunch programme should "make a marmite sandwich and put an apple in a bag".

But just how appropriate is this for children's lunches - and would it provide the sustenance needed for school children?

Jenny Douglas is a paediatric dietician, and she joins us on Nights

10:30 'New Zealand's Ned Kelly': The story behind the legend of James Mackenzie

Today marks one hundred and seventy years since one of New Zealand's most enduring folk heroes was arrested for rustling sheep. 

In March 1855, shepherds searching for 1000 missing sheep in the upper reaches of the Waitaki Valley apprehended suspected rustler James Mackenzie.

After escaping he walked one hundred and sixty kilometres to Lyttelton, where he was recaptured on 15 March. 

The Supreme Court found Mackenzie guilty, sentencing him to five years' hard labour.

Historian Annette Bulovic who runs the Peeling Back History website and Facebook page joins Mark Leishman to talk about the legend of James MacKenzie.

10:45 How Christchurch cyclists are taking a stand against bike thefts 

Christchurch has become the cycling capital of New Zealand with more than four million trips logged by the city council's monitors last year. 

But it also seems it's the capital of bike thefts with police saying every day more than four bikes are reported stolen in the garden city with the unreported number likely to be higher. 

Thieves are targeting bikes outside of places like, libraries, schools, the University and hospital.

Mark Leishman talks to the creator of the Stolen Bikes Christchurch and Canterbury Facebook Page Noel Andrew.

11:07 Worlds of Music

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