Nights for Monday 11 August 2025

8:10 Why rising underutilisation of the workforce is cause for concern

Last week's release of unemployment data in New Zealand didn't paint a particularly rosy picture of our economy right now.

Dig deeper into the data, and you'll see the underutilisation rate - people actively seeking a job, available to work, or employed for fewer than 30 hours a week - is sitting at nearly 13% or around 400,000 people.

While 27,000 jobs have been lost in the past year, the amount of full-time equivalent work has fallen by 74,000.

So what impact is this having on those who can't find work and the economy as a whole?

Emile Donovan speaks to Shamubeel Eaqub, Chief Economist at Simplicity.

8:20 Where have all the volunteers gone?

Volunteers are the heart and soul of any community sporting organisation — but the number of people putting their hands up to help out at the local rugby ground or table tennis club is on the decline.

Coaching roles, so often filled by volunteers, are increasingly vacant or stretched, with one estimate being a loss of forty percent of volunteers in the past few years.

Still, there are people out there giving their time and energy to the sports and communities they love.

Emile speaks to Ailsa Carroll, a volunteer at the Sei Tou Ken Yu Kai Canterbury Kendo Club, about why it’s so fulfilling.

8:40 Sports with Jamie Wall 

RNZ sports whiz Jamie Wall joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week that was in sport.

8.50 BBC World Service Lookahead

Emile speaks to Jonathan Frewin from the BBC World Service to take a look at some of the events making headlines internationally.

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 Unlocking the secret world of hormones

Emile Donovan speaks to Dr Rachael Sumner, senior research fellow at the University of Auckland, about the poorly-understood role that hormones play in women's health, from epilepsy to premenstrual dysphoric disorder and beyond.

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

On The Detail - Auckland museum's asbestos problem is being described as an octopus with more than eight tentacles - and one that comes with a whopping price tag.

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10:45 The Reading: 'The Play of Light'

In the final episode of  'The Play of Light'  Tom's family becomes increasingly concerned about his whereabouts. Has he had an accident on the mountain?

Why won't any of the locals help?

Janet Fisher reads the last episode of 'The Play of Light' by Fiona Farrell.

11:07 Nashville Babylon

Every week on Nashville Babylon Mark Rogers presents the very best in country, soul and rock 'n' roll.

On this week's show there's soul from Jackie Shane and Candi Staton, blues courtesy of Little Milton and Big Maybelle, reggae from the Gaylads plus an all time classic from the Pixies.