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Nights for Thursday 3 April 2025

8:10 The House

Tonight on our Parliament show - The House - Phil Smith looks for some background to the unread-submissions story. 

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 Move over Hollywood, it's Huntlywood's time to shine

Last year, under a shroud of secrecy, a group of Hollywood A-Listers descended upon Huntly in the rural Waikato.

Those famous names included Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Emma Myers.

They were in Huntly for the filming of A Minecraft Movie - which is based on the video game created in 2011.

A Minecraft Movie is in New Zealand cinemas today - but Waikato District councillor David Whyte was lucky enough to see a preview ahead of the general public.

He speaks to Emile Donovan about what he thought of the film and what it means for the region.

Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen and Jason Momoa.

Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Hansen and Jason Momoa. Photo: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

8:45 The Reading: Harbouring

Part eight of Harbouring by Jenny Pattrick , told by Alex Greig and Ni Dekkers-Reihana

A 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 Myth Takes with Ben Jackson

 Myth Takes is our monthly chat with Classics educator and enthusiast Ben Jackson.

Tonight, he's exploring the great and still surviving buildings of the Classical world.

Smoke rises over the Acropolis Hill and the Parthenon from a wildfire that is burning at the western suburbs of the city of Athens, on August 22, 2023 (Photo by Andrea Bonetti / SOOC / SOOC via AFP)

Smoke rises over the Acropolis Hill and the Parthenon from a wildfire that is burning at the western suburbs of the city of Athens, on 22 August, 2023. Photo: ANDREA BONETTI / SOOC / AFP

9:35 Wellington takes a dystopic turn in new novel

A new dystopian novel imagines Aotearoa as one of the last nations in the world with clean, drinkable water.

In Vividwater, we follow Alex, whose job it is to sell our water overseas for the water trading bureau, WaiOra, in a dry and divided Wellington.

The book was longlisted for the Grindstone Literary International Novel Prize, and twice shortlisted for the Laura Solomon Cuba Press Prize.

It's out now and its author Jacqueline Owens chats to Emile Donovan.

The cover of the book 'Vividwater'. It shows a desolate wasteland dotted with tall old buildings, and a woman in business clothes standing out front.

'Vividwater' is the first in a three-part series by Wellington writer Jacqueline Owens. Photo: Supplied

10:17 President Trump's Tariffs are here, is it all bad news?

Emile Donovan speaks to John Ballingall, an economist at Sense Partners.

US President Donald Trump holds a chart titled 'Reciprocal Tariffs' during an event at the White House in Washington, DC, on 2 April 2025.

US President Donald Trump holds a chart titled 'Reciprocal Tariffs' during an event at the White House in Washington, DC, on 2 April 2025. Photo: AFP / Brendan Smialowski

10:30 The Curious Case of Darren Clark

Our export goods might be in a spot of trouble but our export talent is doing tremendously well.

Originally from Wellington, and an Otago University alum, Darren Clark works in London's West End, where he has just picked up a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award, one of the highest gongs in the theatre world, for his composing work in the stage production of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

The Oliviers are being held this weekend and Darren speaks to Emile Donovan from Kent.

Darren poses with his guitar, smiling.

Darren Clark, a Kiwi living in the UK, is making a name for himself in musical theatre, picking up a nomination at the Laurence Olivier Awards for his compositions in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' on the West End. Photo: Supplied

10:45 The hunt for the Kiwi-made Trolls

Damian Sutton has been collecting Trolls for almost thirty years - it's a passion that began when his mum bought him a troll on a pencil at a craft fair when he was eight.
 
Then three years ago, Damian got wind of some fascinating information.

That these often butt-naked, spiky-haired figures, were manufactured right here in Tauranga. Who knew?

The factory at Sulphur Point manufactured Troll Dolls during the 1970s - and was one of only four Troll Doll factories in the world.  

Damian is now on a mission to collect all of the Tauranga-made Trolls - including the prized Yeti Trolls.

Photo: Damian Sutton

11:07 The Mixtape

Grant Gillanders is a collector of local music and has found some rare and historic recordings in unexpected places. 

He's this week's guest on The Mixtape and he's talking to Nick Bollinger about his life and work, as well as playing us a few of his musical discoveries.