Nights for Friday 1 August 2025

8:10 Local body elections with Jonathan Milne

Local body elections are officially underway, with nominations closing at midday today. 

Voting opens on September 22, with the final day to cast your ballot on October 11.

Jonathan Milne, managing editor of Newsroom Pro, joins Emile Donovan to chew over the shape of the next few months as prospective councillors, chairs and mayors gear up for a long campaign.

8:20 This Weekend: 10 years of Vogelmorn Bowling Club

This weekend, the Vogelmorn Community Group Trust celebrates its 10th anniversary of the Vogelmorn Precinct this weekend with a 10-hour festival. 

Trustee Bronnie Wilde joins Emile Donovan to reflect on the last 10 years.

8:30 The Quiz Appendix

Nights producer Bonnie Harrison joins Emile Donovan to review the week in quiztastic glory.

8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review The Life of Chuck (Flanagan, 2025), Sunday Best: the Untold Story of Ed Sullivan (Jenkins, 2025) and 60 Years of Fantastic Four in 90 Minutes.

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

Finn Johansson informs, educates and entertains us with a fresh batch of eclectic picks.

Featuring:

• Scran - Pride
• Mon Laferte & Conociendo Rusia - Esto Es Amor
• Kim Petras - Freak It

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: Great for netball fans, maybe not so great for players - it's likely they'll be hit in the pocket after a new deal with free to air TV was signed this week.

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10:45 Focus on Politics

As global powers like France, the UK and Canada move to recognise Palestine, New Zealand is increasingly finding itself out on its own. Opposition parties say it's time to act, but the coalition is holding the line - for now. On this week's Focus on Politics, Acting Political Editor Craig McCulloch asks why.

11:07 RNZ Music: WOMAD 2024

We join Maggie Tweedie with another live concert recorded at WOMAD 2024 in New Plymouth.

Today's programme features the psychedelic afro sounds of the The Mauskovic Band performing their captivating rhythms on the Bowl stage at WOMAD 2024 in Ngamotu, New Plymouth.