Nights for Wednesday 5 November 2025
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Science with Ezzy Pearson
9:10 PM.Science correspondent Ezzy Pearson talks about orcas that have developed a new way of hunting sharks, why men need to exercise more to get the same heart health benefits, and the worst fire in space.
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Should MPs be attending Taiwan celebrations?
Former MP Peter Dunne — who visited Taiwan several times as an MP — says New Zealand's Chinese ambassador has “lost the plot” in warning MPs about celebrating Taiwan's national day. Read more Audio
8:10 Should MPs be attending Taiwan celebrations?
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has pushed back at China’s ambassador, after he sent letters to MPs who attended a Taiwan National Day celebration.
Ambassador Wang Xiaolong warned those MPs they were jeopardising New Zealand’s relationship with China.
Peters says sending the letters was “a mistake”, and that attending the event did not breach New Zealand’s foreign policy.
Former MP Peter Dunne — who visited Taiwan several times as an MP — says the ambassador has “lost the plot”.
He’s speaks with Emile Donovan.
8:25 The House
Tonight, on The House, Daniela Maoate-Cox looks at three claims settlement bills before Parliament.
8:30 Midweek Mediawatch
Colin Peacock joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in media news.
Tonight he's taking a look at the police deciding not to prosecute Stuff for publishing audio of the police pursuit of Tom Philipps, Dame Noeline Taurua's media blitz and NBR tackling the illegal 'stealing' of its content.
9:05 Nights Riddle
Tune in throughout the programme for a series of clues. Be the first to guess the answer to the riddle and win a coveted Nights mug.
First clue:
I am a social institution, once visible pretty much wherever there were people - though my influence is on the wane. I have a musical form too - my debut single came out earlier this year - not for me, to be honest.
Second clue:
Every day I change people’s lives - for better, and for worse … I bring tears of joy and tears of sadness - I don’t discriminate. I see a lot of international visitors, and I do require a passport of sorts - but it’s a lot cheaper than the one in the back of your sock drawer.
Third clue:
I am a triumph of logistics, an everyday miracle. Many famous people have worked within my walls Benjamin Franklin, Walt Disney, Charles Bukowsi, James K Baxter, among others. But my most famous employee is probably a bloke named Pat - he’s an animal-lover.
9:15 Science with Ezzy Pearson
Science correspondent Ezzy Pearson talks about orcas that have developed a new way of hunting sharks, why men need to exercise more to get the same heart health benefits, and the worst fire in space.
Wikie swimmng with her calf at Marineland park in Antibes. Photo: AFP
9:25 Why clear and easy-to-understand language matters
We've probably all experienced it - trying to wade through text which is overly complicated or full of jargon.
The annual Plain Language Awards aim to fight back against that and highlight good examples of clear and easy-to-understand language. Winners were announced recently at a special ceremony in Wellington.
Lynda Harris is the founder and host of the Plain Language Awards - she is also Chief Executive of the Write Group.
Lynda speaks to Emile Donovan.
A student writing in an exercise book. Photo: Unsplash/ Chivalry Creative
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 - A City Councillor and a Marine Science Professor warn that the Hauraki Gulf recovery is at risk after a last-minute fishing carve-out to the new Tīkapa Moana
10:45 The Reading: Keeping an Eye
Another tale from Vincent O'Sullivan's story collection 'The Families'. Gavin Rutherford reads part one of 'Keeping an Eye'.
Brendan's sister Susan rings to tell him their father has done something bad in the rest home and that he has to go and sort it out.
11:07 Not For Broadcast
Songs and censorship have a long connected history.
the fifth and final part of Not For Broadcast, Nick Bollinger looks at the contentious topic of religious songs, and hears from some current broadcasters about a few records they played -- but perhaps they shouldn't have.
11.35 Musical Chairs
This week on the New Zealand Music Profile show Musical Chairs, we feature the late songwriter, producer, and children's advocate Arthur Baysting, whose hundreds of compositions include the iconic Tears.
In this programme, he talks about his passion for songs, and we find out where it all began.
