Nights for Tuesday 21 October 2025

8:10 Former FBI investigator on brazen Louvre​ jewel heist

It sounds like a story line from a movie - a heist by a gang of robbers at the Louvre Museum in Paris, stealing some of France's most famous crown jewels, and all in broad daylight.

But that is exactly what happened this week, the thieves brazenly extending a lift to a first-floor window, some dressed as construction workers.

So how could such a daring robbery happen? And what will the likely fate be of the stolen jewels?

Tim Carpenter is the former lead investigator of the FBI's Art Crime Team in the US, now leading his own cultural property consultancy business Argus. he spoke to Emile Donovan from the States.

8:25: The House

This week on The House, Phil Smith brings us action from Parliament today and notes from the week's first Question Time.

8:30 Why we go bananas for bananas

New Zealand, as a nation, is one of the highest consumers of banana per capita in the world - around eighteen kilos each, per year. Pipped to reach ninety thousand tonnes annually, total, in 2026.

They have pride of place in our supermarkets. The banana cake is an Edmonds classic. They will never, it seems, go out of style. 

Why do we love them so?

Roger Harker is a principal scientist at Plant and Food Research, and a banana enthusiast. He joins Emile Donovan.

8:40 Shower Thoughts: Could I survive being lost at sea? 

Every Tuesday, here on Nights, we aim to answer those unshakable questions lurking in the back of your mind -curious questions about the world and how it works.

Tonight's question is all about survival...not a plane, or a car crash...but could I survive being lost at sea? 

Our guest Alec Frydman is a carpenter in Laguna Beach, California and joins Emile Donovan to share how he survived for 13 days lost at sea.

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 Mazbou Q on spreading the joy of hip hop

Rapper, producer and educator  Mazbou Q has been nominated for New Zealand's highest songwriting honour this year, the APRA Silver Scroll with awards night taking place next Wednesday in Christchurch.

Now, he goes by Mazbou Q, but people might also know him as 'The Rap Scientist'. 

Starting with posting videos of himself online breaking down rhythms, flows and techniques, Mazbou Q has gone properly global, teaching hip hop musicology at Harvard University and Berklee College of Music in the States. 

He also fosters emerging hip hop artists.

He joins Emile Donovan in our Auckland studio. 

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

Tonight on The Detail - R360 is making a bold play for Kiwi stars, but there's much debate over whether the rebel competition is set to be a rugby revolution, or a career-ender.

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10:45 The Reading

Time now for the second reading from the legal memoir 'The Dwarf Who Moved' written and read by Sir Peter Williams QC

The prominent criminal defence lawyer recalls the people and cases, celebrated and obscure, that have defined his remarkable career.

11:07 Worlds of Music

Trevor Reekie hosts a weekly music programme celebrating an eclectic mix of trans global music, fusion and folk roots.