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Nights for Friday 7 November 2025

8:10 New Zealand's top tertiary teacher

Automotive trades teacher Richard Hope has taken out the Prime Minister’s Top Tertiary Teacher award for outstanding teaching and commitment to inclusive learning.

After 25 years as an automotive mechanic, Richard transitioned into tertiary teaching in 2019. Since then, he has transformed his classroom into a supportive and empowering space for students of all backgrounds and abilities.

He speaks to Emile Donovan about what drives him.

Richard assists a student with a piece of machinery. They both wear navy worksuits.

Ara Institute of Canterbury senior trades tutor Richard Hope. Photo: Supplied

8:20 This Weekend: Robot Rampage

Sparks will fly, metal will twist, and while some robots will take a tumble, there are sure to be spectacular crashes along the way.

The Robot Rampage World Cup warm-up is happening this weekend in Auckland.

Teams will go head-to-head to impress the judges and earn a spot on New Zealand’s national team for the World Cup in February.

Jack Barker, organiser of Robot Rampage and part of the team behind End Game, New Zealand’s world champion combat robot. He speaks to Emile Donovan.

8:35 Quiz Appendix with Bonnie Harrison

Producer Bonnie Harrison joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in quizzes.

8:40 Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin

Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review Dan Trachtenberg's 2022 Predator prequel Prey (Disney+), eight-part western-noir series The Lowdown (also Disney+) starring Ethan Hawke.

Dan also takes a look at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision's Utaina project, which saw the digitisation of more than 400,000 items.

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: 

Finn Johansson

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.

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10:17 The Detail

Tonight on The Detail - This nasty pest can be destroyed, but it will take government resources and extreme vigilance from the public to do it.

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10:45 Focus on Politics

Te Pāti Māori’s internal conflict has exploded into full public view. On this week's Focus on Politics, RNZ acting political editor Craig McCulloch unpacks how the turmoil unfolded - and whether there's any way back from the brink.

11:07 The Logg Cabin

Every week on The Logg Cabin Mark William's (aka (MC Slave from Fat Freddy's Drop) explores the finest music from across the soul spectrum… from Funk, Reggae, Hip Hop and house music The Logg Cabin delivers music for the mind, body and soul.

On the Logg Cabin this week Mark features a roundup of local releases from Arjuna Oakes, Avantdale Bowling Club and Te Whanganui-a-Tara rapper-singer-producer MĀ. He revisits classics from Bill Withers and Gangstarr, checks in on Ramsey Lewis and Mr Scruff and unearths an afro reversion of "The Message".