Nights for Thursday 14 August 2025

8:10 Should Jacinda Ardern have fronted up to the Covid-19 inquiry?

A second week-long public hearing for decision-makers in the Covid-19 pandemic has been scrapped because former ministers - including former PM Jacinda Ardern - will not show up.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry aims to identify lessons learned from the government response to better prepare for future pandemics.

Inquiry chair Grant Illingworth KC says a second week of public hearings - set down for next week - is "no longer justified" because former ministers have decided not to participate.

Emile Donovan speaks to constitutional lawyer Graeme Edgeler about why the former ministers weren't compelled to attend.

8:20 The House

Tonight on our Parliament show - The House - Louis Collins looks at what bills parliament got through this week - spoilers, not many. 

8:35 Idioms: The whole nine yards

Our resident sociolinguist, Dr Julia de Bres from Massey University, is going the extra mile and talking about idioms.

Do you have a favourite idiom? Getting in touch with us is a piece of cake: text it to 2101 or email us nights@rnz.co.nz.

8:45 How do banks calculate their mortgage rates?

Even if you don’t own a home, it’s hard to avoid the chatter about interest rates and whether they’re going up or staying put.

Already this week, four banks have announced they’re lowering mortgage rates - ahead of the Reserve Bank’s Official Cash Rate announcement next week.

While there’s a broad consensus that the Reserve Bank is likely to drop the cash rate, we don’t know for sure that will happen.

So, do the banks know something we don’t? Or are they just taking a punt, hoping to sign up a few more borrowers before their competitors do?

Someone who knows a lot about mortgages - and personal finance in general - is financial journalist Frances Cook. She joins Emile Donovan.

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 How to Spot a Dickhead

Screenwriters Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward, who have worked on shows like Wellington Paranormal and Outrageous Fortune, have encountered a fair few dickheads in their time, and have now become unofficial authorities on the topic with their book How to Spot a Dickhead: A Field Guide.

They both sit down with Emile Donovan.

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 - New Zealand is on track for a record number of liquidations this year - again - but it's not all doom and gloom for Kiwi businesses

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10:45 The Reading: Poppy

Simon Leary reads the final episode of 'Poppy' by Linda Niccol.

Luke and Poppy get more romantically involved but her brother and a mate turn up for retribution and he sadly realises they can't go out anymore.

11:07 The Mixtape

After her band Handsome Jeffrey won the Smokefree Rockquest back in 1998, our Mixtape guest this week moved into acting, appearing in a long list of well-known TV shows and films. 

She's also a multiple award-winning director, helming music videos for artists such as Crowded House and Benee. 

Aidee Walker joins Kara Rickard to discuss some of her favourite songs.