Nights for Tuesday 17 June 2025

8:10 Chris Bishop on why Gordon Wilson flats' heritage protection is "goneburger" 

After more than a decade of sitting empty, the derelict and slowly decaying Gordon Wilson Flats in Wellington look set for the wrecking ball.

The move has been praised by those who believe heritage protections have stalled much-needed housing development in Wellington.

But it has outraged heritage advocates who see the building’s history as worth preserving.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the building is unsafe, unwanted and a symbol of a broken planning system. 

He speaks to Emile Donovan about the decision, as well as other planned changes aimed at making it easier for councils to de-list heritage buildings.

8:20 UK correspondent Christian Smith

Our man in London, Christian Smith, is chatting to us about the UK launching a grooming gangs inquiry after claims officials avoided the ethnicity issue, protests against over tourism erupting in southern Europe, Tottenham Football Club suing Ineos over a dropped deal, and Westminster copping flak for a £10m door.

8:40 Shower Thought: Can you be sarcastic through sign language? 

Time now for Shower Thoughts -- This is where we find an expert to answer curious questions about the world and how it works, and why it works the way it works.

Tonight's big question: can you stutter in sign language? Does New Zealand Sign Language have the equivalent of mispronunciation, mistakes or sarcasm?

Rachel McKee is a Professor of New Zealand Sign Language Studies and Director of the Deaf Studies Research Unit at the University of Victoria.

Emile goes with her on a deep dive into New Zealand Sign Language.

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 The big book of small stories

Poto / Short published by Massey University Press features 100 stories, some only taking up half a page, by 100 New Zealand writers.

They're written in English, but on the very next page, the same story is translated into te reo Māori, as a language learning tool.

It features bite-sized stories from some of New Zealand's literary luminaries, including Bill Manhire, Paula Morris and Owen Marshall.

Editors Michelle Elvy and Kiri Piahana-Wong join Emile Donovan to share what makes a great, short yarn. 

9:45 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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10:17 The Detail

Today on The Detail - From waterway-mapping robots to leather made from kiwifruit, Kiwi innovation on display at the southern hemisphere's biggest rural expo.

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10:45 The Reading: "Jumping Ship"

While living in the small community of Te Tii in the Bay of Islands Glenn Colquhoun met Aunty Rongo, an old woman whose daughter had recently died.

Aunty Rongo taught him how to say goodbye to the dead. But when she died, he learnt something else, as you'll hear in today's final instalment of  Glenn's essay "Jumping Ship".

11:07 Worlds of Music

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