Nights for Tuesday 15 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 How many tests does it take to drive a car? 

The recent proposition by Transport Minister Chris Bishop to change in the rules around driving licenses includes removing the requirement for a second practical test, and reducing the number of eyesight tests. 

The proposal is part of the first major changes to the the driver licence system since 2011.

These rule changes around driver licences have some happy to have less in the way of having a full drivers license
but others at a red light as it were. Kevin Bargent is the owner and instructor at Christchurch's Safer Driving Driving School and as joins Nights to discuss the proposal and his experience as a driving instructor. 

8:45 The Reading

Part 14 of Harbouring by Jenny Pattrick, told by Alex Greig, Ni Dekkers-Reihana and Amy McClean. 

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 Taite Music Prize 2025

RNZ lifestyle reporter Jogai Bhatt joins Emile Donovan to debrief the winners from the biggest night in New Zealand independent music, the 2025 Taite Music Prize, held tonight at Q Theatre in Auckland.

9:35 Shower Thoughts: Why do we lose our accents when we sing?

You're in the shower surrounded by steam, shampoo suds running down your face -  and suddenly this thought pops into your head; Why do many of us lose our accents when we sing?

Did ABBA sound Swedish? Does Joss Stone sound English? Or our very own Lawrence Arabia sound Kiwi?

Lawrence Arabia, aka James Milne, joins Emile Donovan to explain.

10:17 Former prisoners facing obstacles to banking, report shows

A new report urges banks to do more to help former prisoners access bank accounts essential for finding work, housing, and receiving benefits.

The report, from Victoria University and financial mentoring service FinCap, calls for better support on release, financial capability workshops in prisons, and easy-to-set-up "basic" bank accounts.

Former banker David Verry is a financial mentor who has been volunteering with prisoners and ex-inmates for many years now. 

He joins Emile to discuss the work he does. 

10:30 Tunis is Mad Tonight: The life and times of New Zealand journalist Douglas Brass

Denis Glover, Charles Brasch, Ian Milner - these names have long been familiar to New Zealanders. Less well-known is their contemporary and close friend, journalist Douglas Brass, whose remarkable four-decade career gave him a unique view of a turbulent period in world history: serving as a war correspondent and columnist through World War II, the partitioning of Palestine, and the outbreak of the Vietnam War.

Originally a boy from Southland, Brass was a close collaborator with the Murdoch family who would go on to raise a global media empire on the back of their agenda-setting tabloid exploits, and was one of the founders of national newspaper The Australian.

Peter Cox is the author of Tunis is Mad Tonight: The life and times of New Zealand journalist Douglas Brass.

10:45 Bus stop sonata: Is this how to solve antisocial behaviour?

Local councils and community groups have tried high-pitched frequencies, security guards and police, even smoke cannons.

But Christchurch has upped the ante: playing classical music at bus stops to deter anti-social behaviour like loitering, fighting and bullying.

Dr Samuel Mehr of Music Lab and School of Psychology Faculty of Science from the University of Auckland joins Emile Donovan to weigh in on whether this is a tactic likely to soothe or aggravate.

11:07 Worlds of Music

On Worlds of Music Trevor Reekie hosts a weekly music programme celebrating an eclectic mix of trans global music, fusion and folk roots.