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Nights for Monday 7 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 The tie is back and not just for men

News from the world of fashion: ties are making a unisex comeback. They were featured earlier in the year at Paris Fashion Week and there's been some noticeable uptake here in Aotearoa.  

This comes as no surprise to Matt Wiseman who personally owns over 250 ties  He chats to Emile Donovan about how the tie is an essential piece in any wardrobe.

Matt Wiseman had 258 ties.

When he last counted them, Matt Wiseman had 258 ties. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

8:40 Sensible satire?

Billboards attacking Green Party MP Tamatha Paul have appeared in Auckland and Wellington.

The billboards, which resemble Green Party campaign hoardings, contain the slogans "Defund the Police" and "Vote Green". The Sensible Sentencing Trust is behind the campaign - attributed at the very bottom of the billboards, in very small font.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission confirmed the Green Party had contacted the Commission about the advertisements, but in the Commission's view, the billboards complied with the Electoral Act.

So when do attack ads cross the line? To help us answer that question, Nights is joined by Professor Andrew Geddis from the University of Otago's Faculty of Law.

Sensible Sentencing Trust's billboards on Whitmore St.

Sensible Sentencing Trust's billboards on Whitmore St. Photo: RNZ/Giles Dexter

8:45 The Reading: The Harbouring

Part nine 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.

9:05 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 Jacinta Ruru

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

Tonight, we're chatting to Professor Jacinta Ruru (Raukawa, Ngāti Ranginui).

Jacinta is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori and a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Otago.

She is also a member of both the New Zealand Order of Merit and a senior Māori scholar for Fulbright Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga - New Zealand's Māori Centre of Research Excellence.

Jacinta Ruru

Jacinta Ruru Photo: Alan Dove Photography, 2019 and supplied by the University of Otago.

9:35 Fluoride with Sir Peter Gluckman

Around 60 percent of us have access to fluoridated water here in New Zealand.

Fluoride has become a contentious issue, with groups opposed to its addition in drinking water citing health concerns and personal freedom - especially after the government made it mandatory in 2022 by giving the Director-General of Health the power to direct councils to fluoridate their water supplies.

Sir Peter Gluckman served as the chief science advisor to three Prime Ministers, from 2009 to 2018. He is the managing trustee of thinktank Koi Tū the Centre for Informed Futures, which has just been made an independent charitable trust.

He joins Emile Donovan to review the evidence around fluoridation.

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Photo: 123RF

10:17 How New Zealand can pivot under Trump's tariffs

New Zealand had its worst day in the share market since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic today, while other countries had even greater falls with billions of dollars lost in a matter of hours.

Several investment banks in the US now say there is a nearly 50 percent chance of a global recession.

Is there anything we can do down in the South Pacific to protect ourselves and our industries like wine and meat which are highly dependent on the US?

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen 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 he's taking a look at the economic fallout from President Trump's tariffs, French President Emmanuel Macron and his state visit to Egypt and marathon in China which will pit human runners against robots.

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 reggae from Max Romeo, soul courtesy of James Carr and Pops Staples, a show favourite from Dr John, new music from Brown Horse, plus Ella Fitzgerald covering a Cream classic.