Nights for Thursday 10 April 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 Hutt City mayor Campbell Barry leaving local politics after 15 years

The Lower Hutt mayor announced today he would not be seeking re-election at this year's local body elections, after serving in local government for 15 years, including two terms as mayor.

Campbell Barry entered local politics at 19 years old, and became the youngest elected mayor in New Zealand history in 2019, at age 28.

He joins Emile Donovan to reflect on his time in office.

8:45 The Reading

Tonight, part twelve of Harbouring by Jenny Pattrick , told by Alex Greig, Amy McClean and Ni Dekkers-Reihana.

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 Philosophy Now: Free will

Delving into the cerebral side of life, Dan Weijers, senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Waikato, tackles the issue of free will and moral responsibility.

Are we responsible for our own actions even if they have been motivated by actions beyond our control?

9:40 Monsters and the human condition

Nicholas Jubber is an award-winning travel writer - but you're not likely to find him lying on a beach sipping a piña colada.

His far-ranging adventures have taken him across the globe, from living among nomads in the Sahara to uncovering the legacy of pre-Islamic Persian culture in Iran and Afghanistan.

In his sixth book, Monsterland, Nicholas ventures into a world that can't be seen - but is no less real than the sights and sounds from his previous journeys.

This time, it's all about giants, ogres, vampires, and shapeshifters.

Nicholas talks to Emile Donovan about why we need these monsters and what they can tell us about ourselves.

10:17 The death of the Treaty Principles Bill

The Treaty Principles Bill was defeated with 11 aye votes to 112 noes in the House today.

While prime minister Christopher Luxon missed the vote, the Minister for Treaty Negotiations Paul Goldsmith defended the National Party's support of the Bill past its first reading, saying "coalitions require compromises".

It marks the end of a dramatic and historic passage through Parliament, producing the highest ever number of public submissions on a Bill, and inspiring a 40,000-strong hikoi to Wellington.

Former Minister for Treaty Negotiations Chris Finlayson joins Emile Donovan to review the impact the Bill has had on New Zealand.

10:30 Q+A host Patricia Karvelas: Australian federal election

Our trans-Tasman neighbours go to the polls next month.

Patricia Karvelas is the host of Australia's Q+A programme, host of the ABC News afternoon briefing, and is one of Australia's top journalists and commentators.

She joins Emile Donovan to share what the big issues are for Australian voters.

10:45 Playing the carrot with the London Vegetable Orchestra

Handmade musical instruments are almost as old as time but would you ever think of making music by pressing your lips to a potato, blowing into a courgette or playing a pepper? 

Well, the London Vegetable Orchestra have made it their mission to do just that, offering as they say, their very own brand of homegrown entertainment!

With a worldwide fan base, just last week the LVO, who are all professional musicians, played at Windsor Castle with King Charles III joining in on a carrot. 

Orchestra member Tim Cranmore, who makes the vegetable recorders, joins Emile Donovan to talk about their unique brand of music.

11:07 The Mixtape

Maggie Tweedie interviews musician and music photographer Frances Carter on the RNZ Music Mixtape.