Nights for Tuesday 25 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 Is gold the new gold?

The price of gold is up 15% since Christmas and up 800% over the past two decades - but why?

Tony Coleman is managing director of New Zealand Gold Merchants and joins me now.

8:45 The Reading: Harbouring 

Time for our reading, and back to Wellington in 1839.

Here is part two of Harbouring by Jenny Pattrick told by Ni Dekkers-Reihana

An historical novel set in Wellington in 1839. Huw, a Welsh immigrant and procurer of Maori land, working for Colonel Wakefield; his wife, Martha, travelling by boat to meet her husband; and a woman, Hineroa, who has become a slave to Te Rauparaha after losing her tribe in battle.   

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 Rhys Darby: The Legend Returns

Rhys Darby is returning with his first stand-up comedy special in almost a decade, The Legend Returns, with shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

He speaks to Emile Donovan about the new show, how he works on his signature impressions, and whether an American audience really 'gets' Kiwi humour.

9:35 Shower Thoughts: Why do we remember what we remember?

Tonight's question is all about memory and the question of why we remember certain things but forget others. 

Emile is joined by Professor Cliff Abraham who is a neuroscientist at the University of Otago.

As always, if you have any questions of your own, you can text on 2101 or email us at nights@rnz.co.nz. 

10:17 North Island set to lose under proposed electorate changes

The lower North Island will lose one electorate, under new proposals from the Representation Commission.

Under the proposal announced today the electorates of Ohāriu, Mana, and Ōtaki will be disestablished to make way for two new electorates Kenepuru and Kapiti.

Almost all of the electorates in the lower North Island were deemed to be below a population quota set by the electoral commission.

Representation Commission chairman Judge Kevin Kelly speaks to Emile Donovan.

10:30 Daring rescue honoured in the heart of Kaimai Ranges

Jeremy Gamble is part of the Te Aroha Paeroa LandSAR group that received the Supreme Award for Outstanding Operation at LandSAR's biennial conference earlier this month.

They helped rescue a hunter with a severe leg fracture in the Kaimai Ranges where a helicopter winch rescue was not possible.

In the past two years, LandSAR have responded to over 1,000 incidents, saved 92 lives, rescued 416 people, and assisted a further 417 individuals.

Jeremy speaks to Emile Donovan.

10:45 The $750,000 job in the Aussie Outback

Small town life can be idyllic - often with no shortage of people wanting to visit.

But to live and work? That can be another story.

Julia Creek is a remote township in McKinlay Shire, North Queensland.

It's in desperate need of a doctor, and applicants are being offered more money than the Aussie PM to entice the right person to its patch of the Outback.

Mayor of McKinlay Shire, Janene Fegan chats to Emile Donovan.

11:07 Worlds of Music

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