Nights for Monday 17 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.

Follow this podcast

8:30 Award-winning Irish Harpist Úna ní Fhlannagáin

Úna ní Fhlannagáin is an award-winning Celtic harpist, from county Galway, and she's in New Zealand wrapping up a five week tour.

We are delighted to have her joining us live from our Wellington studio to play some Irish harp for Saint Patrick's Day.

Check out Úna's tour dates here.

8:45 The Reading: Milk

Helen Jones reads the first of a four-part story series MILK by Susy Pointon

Can you find love in a milking shed? Tanya escapes her past and drags her kids and alcoholic ex, north to the Hokianga, where soon finds herself living and working on a dairy farm.

9:05 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 Whakataukī of the Week with Kahira Rata Olley

Every Monday on Nights, we invite a guest to share a whakataukī-a Māori proverb-that's meaningful to them.

Tonight, we're talking to Kahira Rata Olley who is the founder of the Save Our Babies charitable trust and a range of other kaupapa Māori education programs for families in the Rotorua community.

In the 2024 New Year's Honours, Kahira was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women, youth and the prevention of family violence.

She's also a finalist in the local hero of the year category at the 2025 New Zealander of the Year awards being held this Thursday night.

Where to get help:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
• What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
• Healthline: 0800 611 116.
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Sexual Violence

• NZ Police.
• Victim Support 0800 842 846.
• Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00.
• Rape Prevention Education.
• Empowerment Trust.
• HELP (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
• Safe to talk: 0800 044 334.
• Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa.
• Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496.

9:35 The work of genetic counsellors

Genetic counsellors talk people through some of the toughest decisions and most frightening information they'll ever take on. They work with everyone from expectant parents, those facing hereditary conditions with no cure, and people with a family history of cancer.

There are only a few dozen genetic counsellors working in New Zealand, and currently no local training programmes, meaning Kiwis have to train abroad or study remotely.

Sally Jackson is a genetic counsellor for the Genetic Health Service NZ based at Wellington Regional Hospital.

She joins Emile Donovan from RNZ's Wellington studio.

10:17 Why has New Zealand not banned engineered stone?

Engineered stone is popular with consumers for kitchen kit-outs because it is cheaper yet durable.

It has been banned in Australia since July last year due to the serious risk it poses to workers when cut or polished during the production process. New Zealand is considering doing the same.

The government deadline for submissions is tomorrow.

Dr Alexandra Muthu is an occupational and environmental physician and long-time advocate for greater regulation and she speaks to Emile Donovan.

10:30 Sports with Richard Irvine

Writer and sports fan Richard Irvine joins Emile Donovan to speak about what's been happening in the world of sport.

10:45 BBC World Lookahead with Rob Hugh-Jones

Nights speaks to BBC World Service reporter Rob Hugh-Jones about the big stories making the headlines globally. Tonight Rob looks at the latest situation in the war between Ukraine and Russia as fighting continues despite ceasefire talks, mass anti-government protests in Serbia, and an important donor conference in Brussels gets underway aimed at drumming up support for Syria and its new government.

11:07 Nashville Babylon

Every week on Nashville Babylon Mark Rogers presents the very best in country, soul and rock 'n' roll.
On this week's show there's a birthday tune for Ry Cooder, classic reggae from Delroy Wilson, old time blues courtesy of Memphis Minnie, plus soul from Otis Redding.