Navigation for Nights

Nights for Wednesday 17 September 2025

8:10 New Zealand's star turn in athletics

Days after Geordie Beamish's astonishing steeplechase victory at the World Athletics Championships, long jumper Hamish Kerr has claimed New Zealand's second gold medal.

Athletics commentator Sarah Cowley Ross joins Emile Donovan to explain the work going on behind the scenes to make our athletes so competitive.

Hamish Kerr of New Zealand celebrates winning the Men's High Jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Hamish Kerr of New Zealand celebrates winning the Men's High Jump final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Photo: www.photosport.nz

8:20 Apostrophe catastrophes with Dr Julia de Bres

Associate professor at Massey University Julia de Bres joins Emile Donovan to explain the wrongs and rights of apostrophes.

Teenager studying at desk and doing homeworks

Photo: 123RF

8:30 The House

Louis Collins looks at yesterday's surprise bill on adoption and the refreshingly cordial committee stage it received. 

8:35 Midweek Mediawatch

Colin Peacock joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in media news, including the shooting of Charlie Kirk, coverage of the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup campaign, and the Tom Phillips saga.

A mugshot released by the Utah Governor's Office shows Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson.

A mugshot released by the Utah Governor's Office shows Charlie Kirk shooting suspect Tyler Robinson. Photo: Utah Governor's Office / CNN Newsource

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 Nepal's deadly 'Gen-Z' protests

ABC South Asia bureau chief Meghna Bali joins Emile Donovan to explain the unfolding civil unrest in Nepal prompted by a ban on all forms of social media, which has seen people killed in riots, thousands of prisoners escaped from secure facilities, and hundreds of millions of dollars of damage caused.

People displaying Nepal's national flag burn tyres during a demonstration to condemn the police's deadly crackdown on protesters in Kathmandu on September 9, 2025, a day after demonstrations over social media prohibitions and corruption by the government. Nepal rolled back its social media ban on September 9, a day after at least 19 people were killed in youth protests demanding that the government lift its restrictions and tackle corruption. All major social media apps were working, an AFP reporter in Kathmandu said, as the government ordered a probe into the violence that saw police launch one of the deadliest crackdowns on protesters for years. (Photo by Prabin RANABHAT / AFP)

People displaying Nepal's national flag burn tyres during a demonstration to condemn the police's deadly crackdown on protesters. Photo: AFP / Prabin Ranabhat

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.

Follow this podcast

10:17 The Detail

The sunscreens under investigation for their labelling claims in Australia, but still for sale here. Gwen McClure reports.

Follow this podcast

10:45 The Reading

Peter Vere-Jones reading the second episode of our award-winning story 'The Road to Tokomairiro' by Lawrence Patchett.

11:07 Paul McCartney: Beatles and Beyond

The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs celebrates the life and legacy of Sir Paul McCartney, with guests Mike McCartney, biographer Lesley-Ann Jones, songwriter Graham Gouldman, and more.