Nights for Thursday 26 June 2025

8:10 Ben O'Keeffe on referee abuse and 'Love Their Game' campaign

The local rugby union in Horowhenua has made the decision to postpone all club and college games this weekend due to serious abuse directed at a referee from members of the public -- including a threat of stabbing.

More than sixty percent of coaches and referees in Auckland have reported inappropriate behaviour from the sidelines at least once or twice a season.

Ben O'Keeffe is one of New Zealand's leading rugby union referees, and a spokesperson for sporting campaign 'Love Their Game', encouraging positive sideline support across all sporting codes.

He joins Mark Leishman.

8:20 Myth Takes: Ben Jackson

Our monthly trip to the ancient world, with classics educator and enthusiast, Ben Jackson.

Tonight, we are in Rome looking at the transition from Republic to Empire.

8:40 The Reread: Rachel Paris and 'Owls Do Cry'

Once a month we invite on a member of New Zealand's literary community to reread a book they haven't read in years -- and share their experience.

Is it the same book they remember? What is different in the reading now?

Tonight, we are joined by author Rachel Paris.

Rachel left a twenty-year legal career -- a leading banking lawyer, a masters degree from Harvard, and a partner at firm Bell Gully -- to pursue her childhood dream of writing. She is the author of best-selling thriller, 'See How They Fall'.

She has reread the book "Owls Do Cry" by Janet Frame. and joins Mark Leishman.

 

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 State of Science with Nicola Gaston

Sir Paul Callaghan was one of New Zealand's leading scientists and visionaries  

In 2011 he said in a pitch for the science-led prosperity of Aotearoa that "one hundred inspired entrepreneurs could turn this place around'.

So how is science and deep tech contributing to our economy and what state is the sector in? 

Nicola Gaston is Director of the MacDiarmid Institute and Professor of Physics University of Auckland, and she joins Mark Leishman.

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

Tonight on The Detail - Information about Iran's nuclear programme is highly secretive, but experts say the bombings may not have been a huge setback

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10:45 The Reading

Our story tonight is a tribute to Ray Henwood, who died in 2019.

The young Welsh graduate emigrated to New Zealand in the late 1950's and first worked as a government toxicologist at the time that New Zealand began using breathalysers to test of drunk drivers 50 years ago. 

Tonight, we have the Owen Marshall short story - 'The Complete Male Chauvinists' and Idler's Pipe Dream'

11:07 The Mixtape

Aotearoa's music community is paying tribute to well-respected music manager Lorraine Barry, who sadly died last week. 

Barry was the manager of Dave Dobbyn, Tomm Scott, Marl Vanilau, Nomad and more recently, acts like Avantdale Bowling Club and Homebrew. 

In her Mixtape from 2018, Barry shares songs and tales from her international career working with Massive Attack, The Chemical Brothers, Ice T, Soul II Soul and The Spice Girls.