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Nights for Friday 4 July 2025

8:10 Iconic Cardrona Hotel up for sale

Nestled in the high in the hills not quite half way between Queenstown and Wānaka, the 162-year-old Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand's most iconic buildings. It has appeared on everything from postcards to pint glasses and tourism billboards.

But after more than a decade at the helm, the current owners have decided it's time to hang up their bar mats and put the place on the market.

And it could be yours for the right price.

Co-owner Cade Thornton joins Emile Donovan.

Cardrona Hotel is going on the market.

Photo: Supplied to RNZ

8:20 This Weekend: Dunedin celebrates Dalai Lama's 90th 

Every Friday, we take a look at some of the great events happening up and down the country in the weekend.

This weekend, the Dhargyey Buddhist Centre in Dunedin is holding a special exhibition at the Dunedin Community Gallery in honour of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday.

Dhargyey Buddhist Centre Trust chairperson Peter Small joins Emile Donovan.

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C) attends a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala on June 30, 2025. Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gave on June 30, the strongest indication yet that the 600-year-old institution would continue after his death, at prayer celebrations for his 90th birthday. The leader, who turns 90 on July 6, is according to Tibetans the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. (Photo by Sanjay BAID / AFP)

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala on 30 June, 2025. Photo: SANJAY BAID / AFP

8:30 The Quiz Appendix

Producer Bonnie Harrison turns the tables on the quizmaster and takes a closer look at some of this week's quiz questions.

8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review Jessica Lange film The Great Lillian Hall (2024), buddy comedy Heads of State (2025) streaming on Prime Video, and Walking to New Orleans (1985) streaming for free on YouTube.

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:

  • She Went Astray and The Rain is Wine and the Stones are Cheese by Brìghde Chaimbeul
  • Speed of Light by Pain on a Chain
  • Human Bean Instruction Manual by Pickle Darling
Finn Johansson

Photo: Finn Johansson

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: Stranded in Hell

Getting people out and home when they're trapped in a war zone is a dangerous and politically delicate task - here's how it's done. Sharon Brettkelly reports.

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10:45 Focus on Politics

In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ's Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira goes to Opaea Marae, just north of Taihape, as Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp is laid to rest.

11:07 RNZ Music: WOMAD 2024

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

This week's programme features the psychedelic afro-rock of Zambian bluesmen Witch performing live on the Bowl Stage in New Plymouth.