Nights for Friday 27 June 2025

8:07 The latest on the severe weather

Starting off this evening with a check in on this wild weather we've been having

In the past twenty-four hours we've seen massive downpours in the top of the South, and the Far North.

There's a number of severe weather warnings and local states of emergency around the country.

MetService meteorologist Brian Mercer joins Emile Donovan for an update and a look ahead to the weekend.
 

8:10 What happens at an economists' conference? 

When you get scores of New Zealand's top economists in a room together, what do they talk about?

The New Zealand Association of Economists' sixty-fifth annual conference has been held in Wellington this week.

Three days packed full of keynote talks, visits from Ministers, hopefully some breaks for fresh air too.

Chief Economist at the New Zealand Initiative thinktank Eric Crampton was there and joins Emile Donovan.

8:20 This Weekend: Nelson Tasman 'Battle of the Burgers'

Every Friday here on Nights, we like to take a look at what's happening around the country in the weekend ahead.

Tonight, we head to Nelson where the competition is set to be sizzling in the "Battle of the Burgers" which has just kicked off there.

Zinnia Foster is Regional Manager for Hospitality NZ, and she joins Emile Donovan.

8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan. Tonight, he reviews: 

In Cinemas: F1 (Kosinski, 2025). New blockbuster starring Brad Pitt as a washed-up former star racing driver brought back into Formula 1 to school a talented rookie (Damson Idris) driving for Javier Bardem's struggling team.

Paid Streaming: (Prime Video) Étoile (Palladino/Sherman-Palladino, 2025). Comedy from the creators of The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel about struggling elite ballet companies in Paris and New York that hatch a plan to swap some of their stars for creative and publicity reasons. The result is cross-cultural conflicts and misunderstandings but also shows a great love and affection for ballet itself. Stars Luke Kirby (Lenny Bruce in The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel) and Charlotte Gainsbourg (Melancholia) as the leaders of the two companies.

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 Out Lately with Finn Johansson

He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music.

Featuring:

Track: Steel Woo by Aesop Rock    

Track: Raiden Freeman by Compass

Track: Fission by Crying Ivy

 

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

This evening on The Detail - New Zealand is running out of gas and prices are rising - but that hasn't stopped some households from hooking up

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10:45 Focus on Politics

In Focus on politics, the New Zealand Government's response this week to the United States entering the war with Iran. 

11:07 RNZ Music:

WOMAD 2024 features live recordings from a selection of International and local musicians captured by the RNZ Music team at WOMAD Taranaki.

Tonight's programme features UK folk duo Good Habits performing live on the Dell Stage in New Plymouth earlier this year.