Nights for Friday 3 October 2025
8:10 First International Flight from Wellington, 75 years ago today.
On this day 75 years ago, the first-ever international flight took off from Wellington.
The Tasman Empire Airlines Ltd Solent flying boat left for Sydney on October 3rd 1950, in what would have been a very different experience from flying today.
To talk about this more, aviation historian Richard Waugh joins Mark Leishman
Air hostess Miss J Stanich at the door of the TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Ltd) Solent flying boat 'Awatere' at Evans Bay Wellington 1951. (Alexander Turnbull Library) Photo:
8:20 The Weekend
It's Friday night - so it's time now to take a look at what New Zealanders have planned for the weekend.
Let's head to Manawatu where the Palmy Drag Fest is underway.
Producer Ricky Beirao is with me. Kia Ora!
More than 20 performers will feature this year. Photo: Supplied
8:30 The kiwi helping create one of the world's most popular video games
Gamers rejoice! The Sims 4: Adventure Awaits has been released today.
The Sims video games let players create and control virtual people and manage their daily lives.
The franchise, first released in 2000, has sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game series of all time.
Adventure Awaits is the latest expansion for the fourth iteration of the game - and this time it has a little bit of Kiwi flavour.
A New Zealand gamer was even involved in building part of it. She talks to Mark Leishman.
Various elements of The Sims 4 Adventure Awaits has fans speculating it may be based on New Zealand. Photo: The Sims / EA
8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic joins Mark Leishman to review The Teacher Who Promised the Sea, The World at War and Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery
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:
- Jarai Ethnic Group – kơni by Music From the Mountain People of Vietnam
- Camping Holiday by Oamaru's own Cuticles
- Feel Free by Jeff Tweedy
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.
10:17 The Detail
On The Detail - With Fergie, Harry and Andrew in the headlines again, The Detail speaks to an insider about whether they can weather yet another storm.
10:45 Focus on Politics
In Focus on Politics, the government struggled to convince with its big energy announcement this week, arousing a stormy election season ahead.
11:07 RNZ Music: Whirimako Black
Whirimako Black and an all-star ensemble perform a mix of original waiata and Jazz Standards live in concert at Wellington's State Opera House.
