Nights
Episodes
Karen Grylls CNZM: Once more, with feeling
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of Aotearoa's most respected choral conductors and educators Dr Karen Grylls is about to bring the curtain down on her illustrious career. She joi...
European correspondent Christian Smith
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Smith brings us news from the other side of the world.
Reimagining of the moral world order
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As the US-Israeli conflict with Iran rages on, moral leadership from the Western world's biggest powers players, like the US, has been drawn into ques...
Dan Brumm: The brain behind Bluey's iconic sound
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The children's TV sow is acclaimed for tackling big topics, having great heart, and has won a suite of awards. What makes a beloved TV show sound good...
Shower Thoughts: How do you get your cat out of a tree?
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To tell us how is director of Urban Tree Services in Wellington, Josh Micallef.
The next generation of arts critics
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Brunt and Sebastian Taylor from Auckland Arts Festival's Young Critics Programme join Emile Donovan.
Could New Zealand really run out of oil?
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Official figures show we have more than the 90 days of oil stocks required under our international obligations. Dulani Jayasuriya from the Auckland U...
The real life story behind Winnie-the-Pooh
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster and former politician Gyles Brandreth explores that complicated story in his new book Somewhere, A Boy and a Bear: A Biography of A. A. M...
Sports with Richard Irvine
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight: New Zealand is thrashed by India in the T20 World Cup final, Kiwi Ben Waine's FA Cup heroics, and Auckland's crazy sporting weekend.
Small Histories with Emma Kay
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight she's taking a look at when our love of motor cars first appeared.
David Lange: History on Tape
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and journalist Greg Bruce is one of the people lucky enough to have access to the tapes of Prime Minister David Lange - he joins Emile Donovan ...
A minor party Prime Minister?
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Could New Zealand ever see a Prime Minister from a minor party? It's never happened before in this country's history, but there's no reason why it co...
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nights’ resident screen critic, Dan Slevin, reviews the new Spanish road trip drama Sirāt, about a father searching for his missing daughter with...
Oldest student magazine sliced down to size
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Critic editor and current senior writer for The Spinoff Joel MacManus joins Emile Donovan to discuss.
This Weekend: Moana and the Tribe
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Moana Maniapoto joins Emile Donovan ahead of her Auckland Arts Festival performance this Sunday: ONO with Moana & the Tribe.
Why Wellington shouldn't despair
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former Aucklander and journalist Brooke Harper isn't waving the white flag yet on her home city of choice, and says there are plenty of reasons to kee...
When volcanoes and comedy collide
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In 2023 Ben Miller became the first stand-up comedian to be an artist in residence at the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Nights at the Museum: Museum of Failure
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Founder Dr Samuel West is a licensed clinical psychologist with a PhD in organisational psychology, and joins Emile Donovan to share the museum's uniq...
New fund for keeping the sound sharp at Auckland venues
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Emile is joined by Managing Director of Live Nation, Mark Kneebone, and Tom Anderson from Whammy Bar, which was a recipient last year.
Just how self-sufficient is New Zealand in times of crisis?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Boyd is an independent researcher in global catastrophic risk and one of the brains behind the Aotearoa New Zealand Catastrophe Resilience Projec...
European correspondent Christian Smith
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.
Julia de Bres on the use of 'you know' in conversation
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nights' resident sociolinguist,Julia de Bres joins Emile Donovan to tackle one of RNZ listeners' biggest bugbears.
How do you find out what's happening in your community?
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Sutherland has been thinking about the paucity of information, and attention on local projects funded by ratepayers.
Reconciling sport in wake of Middle East conflict
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Nichol is the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Rugby Players' Association and joins Emile Donovan.
Iran and its effect on international sport
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Spoonley is General Manager of the New Zealand Professional Footballers' Association and joins Emile Donovan.
Cop It Write - a killer handbook for crime writers
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Retired police detective now author, Angus McLean joins Emile Donovan.
Shower Thoughts: Is it better to water your garden and plants in the morning or the evening?
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To help us dig into this gardening conundrum, journalist, author and all round gardening guru Lynda Hallinan joins Emile Donovan.
The art and history of whistling
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Doctor Wendy Hargreaves from the University of Southern Queensland is a music researcher, has been looking into the history of whistling.
Little Sisters of The Poor launches public appeal for expansion of elderly support
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mother Superior, Sister Maureen, joins Emile Donovan to explain the work they do, and their plan to provide even more accommodation..
Has New Zealand responded correctly to the conflict in Iran?
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The former MP and Foreign Minister Phi Goff joins Emile Donovan to discuss the response by our Government to the strikes on Iran.
'Bicycle face' and technological anxiety
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kate MacKrill is a health psychologist and the University of Auckland.
Sports with Richard Irvine
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The writer and sports fan joins Emile Donovan to talk about what's been happening in the world of sport.
Small Histories with Emma Kay
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight she is sharing the origins of a local legend the Fiordland moose
Iranian-New Zealanders react to conflict in Iran
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former MP and UN human rights lawyer Golriz Ghahraman, who left Iran as an asylum seeker in 1990, joins Emile Donovan.
Geopolitical analyst on US-Israeli strikes on Iran
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Geoffrey Miller joins Emile Donovan to discuss the situation.
Out Lately with Finn Johansson
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Finn joins Nights to share an array of eclectic music.
The 500 best movies of all time
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
RNZ Producer and film aficionado Sam Hollis joins Nights to talk about the LETTERBOXD TOP 500.
French-trained clown returns to NZ for Fringe Festival show 'Dune but Worse
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The show is part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival in Wellington and is performed by 'notorious Pōneke clown' Sean Burnett Dugdale-Martin.
Taranaki street art festival returns
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Get Up Festival is back for its first run in eleven years.
Educating children on grief
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
John Adams led a campaign in the UK for grief education to be added to UK schools and he joins Emile Donova.
The case for lowering the threshold for interest on student loans
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Political Editor at the New Zealand Herald Thomas Coughlan joins Emile Donovan.
How useful are State of the Nation speeches?
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Political scientist Natalia Albert has been digesting them, and shares her thoughts with Emile Donovan.
What does the future hold for Iran and who might lead it?
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Middle East expert and University of Otago lecturer Dr Leon Goldsmith joins Emile Donovan.
European correspondent Christian Smith
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.
Sociolinguist, Julia de Bres on the classic kiwi 'yeah-nah'
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's our monthly chat with Nights' resident sociolinguist, associate professor Julia de Bres.
Should e-scooters belong in cycle lanes?
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The change us a fleet of 'common sense' transport policies being proposed by the government,
The story behind our retail crime statistics
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nicholas Dynon is a security risk consultant and chief editor of NZ Security Magazine, a director at Optic Security, and joins Emile Donovan.
Why were athletes from Norway so successful at the Winter Olympics?
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Geir Jordet is a Professor of Sport Psychology in Oslo and is the author of Pressure: Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shoot Out.
Shower Thoughts: Is my phone listening to my conversations?
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Chen is a technology ethics researcher and joins Nights to explain.
Three nights in Dunedin with Pulp's Jarvis Cocker
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bruce Mahalski from the Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery tells Emile what it was like hosting a Britpop icon.
What's behind New Zealand's fast property market?
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Property economist at Opes Partners Ed McKnight joins Emile Donovan
Understanding the Tourette's episode at the Baftas
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
General Manager of Tourette's Association of Aotearoa New Zealand Emma Henderson joins Emile Donovan.
What the new Star Wars movie trailer reveals
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Christian Long is lecturer in film at the University of Otago and joins Emile Donovan.
Sports with Richard Irvine
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and sports fan Richard Irvine joins Emile Donovan to talk about what's been happening in the world of sport.
What are your rights when it comes to neighbour's trees
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Senior Associate at Smith and Partners Lawyers, Nathan Tetzlaff joins Emile Donovan.
Small Histories with Emma Kay
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, a tale of a sea monster spotted off the West Coast and the chaos it caused.
Why we could find ourselves caught between superpowers over global supply of critical minerals?
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Newsroom.co.nz reporter Fox Meyers has been looking into the issue, and he joins Emile Donovan.
Out Lately with Finn Johansson
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music.
This Weekend: The Regent Theatre 24 hour book sale
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Convenor of the Regent Theatre 24 Hour Book Sale in Dunedin, Kathleen Wallace joins Emile Donovan.
What constitutes a superhero?
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Auckland-based comic book enthusiast and superman superfan Stein Dando joins Emile Donovan.
Who is Japan's new leader?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Japan's Sanae Takaichi has been reelected as Japan's leader with her ruling party consolidating power. Takaichi won enough to take an outright majorit...
The world's only crab museum?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We're off to Margate in the South of England to speak to Ned Suesat-Williams, who is co-founder and director of the Crab Museum.
Have fringe festivals lost their way?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Some would say they have morphed into something quite different from the original concept.
The House
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Our report from Parliament with Louis Collins who looks at what Parliament's newest MP Georgie Dansey said in her maiden statement.
American military buildup in Middle East - is war imminent?
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
War between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seems closer than ever, with an American military buildup underway in the Middle East. ...
The growing popularity of admin parties
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's the brainchild of American writer Chris Colin, who joins Emile Donovan.
European correspondent Christian Smith
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.
Inside the world of online prediction markets
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Weijers from Waikato University wrote his post-doctorate on the ethics of using prediction markets to forecast terrorist attacks, and joins Emile ...
The remarkable story behind the NZ Liberation Museum
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Siermans from the New Zealand Liberation Museum joins Emile Donovan.
Shower Thoughts: Can bugs can survive in the vacuum cleaner?
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Jenny Jandt is a Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and joins Emile Donovan to answer this questi...
Generational portrait project captures how we age
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Artist Charlie Fox joins Emile Donovan to discuss his time lapse portrait project.
The drive to get New Zealanders living abroad to vote
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tracey Lee is the founder of Every Kiwi Vote Counts, an initiative to drive up overseas voting, and she joins Emile Donovan.
Update on storm and flooding
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's been another day of wild weather across the country. We update the latest information.
Outrageous backstage riders with promoter Brent Eccles
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Brent Eccles joins Emile Donovan to talk about some memorable backstage dressing room requests-
Sports with Richard Irvine
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and sports fan Richard Irvine joins Emile Donovan to talk about what's been happening in the world of sport.
Small Histories with Emma Kay
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, she has love on her mind.
Why car indicators seem out of synch?
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
AA Principal Policy Adviser Terry Collins joins Emile Donovan to explain.
Are we ready for AI this election year?
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Public law specialist Marcus Ganley has been looking into AI regulation in elections overseas and joins Emile Donovan.
Latest on severe weather
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
RNZ reporter Krystal Gibbens joins us with the latest information.
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nights’ resident screen critic, Dan Slevin joins Emile Donovan for some picks ahead of the weekend.
House burping - social media trend or healthy habit?
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Vikram Niranjan joins Emile Donovan to discuss whether the trend actually makes a home healthier.
The legacy of architect Pip Cheshire
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Andrew Barrie from the University of Auckland's School of Architecture & Planning joins Emile Donovan.
Latest on the wild weather
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to Tairāwhiti Civil Defence controller Ben Green and Met Service Meteorologist, John Law for the latest.
New tool to identify flood-prone Auckland properties
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It aims to give potential buyers better information about a property's flood risk level.
How the rocket lettuce reveals the history of Italian migration
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Absalom is a Senior Lecturer, Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne and joins Emile Donovan to explain.
In defence of Te Papa and its unseen national art collection
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Art critic, curator, writer and academic Dina Jezdic joins Emile Donovan.
The geography of personal tax
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen joins Emile Donovan to explain the regional variations in tax takes.
The implications of the rise in the space launch limit
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Canterbury Laura Revell joins Emile Donovan to discuss the change, and the rise of space i...
Auckland academic on Epstein files link
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Boyd joined Emile Donovan to talk about being in the files and the taint that comes with being associated with a figure like Epstein.
European correspondent Christian Smith
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Christian dials in from Amsterdam with news from the other side of the world.
The challenges of being a centrist political party in New Zealand
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
University of Canterbury associate sociology professor Dr Mike Grimshaw joins Emile Donovan.
The death of the paperback
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What's behind the demise of what used to be the most popular reading format in the world?
Shower Thoughts: Why are we more exposed to sunburn than the rest of the world?
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Liley is an atmospheric scientist at Earth Science's Lauder research station and joins Emile Donovan to explain.
Reversing the flow on toilet inequity
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Architect Daniel Thompson joins Emile Donovan to discuss the issue of inequality when it comes to toilet queues.
Why is the Christchurch mosque shooter back in court?
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Public law expert professor Andrew Geddis from the University of Otago joins Emile Donovan.
Could you be the government?
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Amidst a swathe of government shutdowns and mass redundancies in the United States of America, Alexandra Petri decided she would find out for herself...
Sports with Jamie Wall
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
RNZ sports reporter Jamie Wall joins Emile in the studio to talk about the sports stories making the news, including Super Bowl Monday.
Small Histories of New Zealand with Emma Kay
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week Emma looks at the history of school holidays and how we ended up with the four-term system in use today.
Where to now for Auckland's flip-flop housing plan?
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bill McKay is Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland and joins Emile Donovan to discuss uncertainty around Auckla...
Trading in nostalgia
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Did you collect comics as a kid? Or trade Weet-bix cards? Scott Waldrom of this weekend's Card and Collectables Show explains why nostalgia is such...