Nights for Tuesday 18 November 2025

8:10 Is your Uber about to get more expensive? 

Last year, New Zealanders took just under three million rides using Uber. The platform contracts 11,000 drivers -- it is, by far, our biggest ride-sharing app.

And finally, yesterday, a long-running court case involving Uber came to a close.

Four Uber drivers were able to prove that they were not contractors to the global business, free to do as they please -- in reality, they were employees, and should have been owed all the benefits of employment.

Barbara Buckett is one of New Zealand's leading employment lawyers; she's followed this case closely and speaks to Emile Donovan

8:25 AI covers see writers ruled out of New Zealand's top book awards

Our national book awards committee has rejected books with AI covers . . . Nothing to do with the writing -- just AI for the covers.

This is Elizabeth Smither's book of essays Angel Train, and Stephanie Johnson's book Obligate Carnivore. Both recipients of the Prime Minister's Literary Awards in their time -- but no shot at the Ockham Book Awards next year, or the top prize of $65,000. 

The writers are obviously devastated, but is this a bulwark — a line in the sand — against the use of AI at ANY point in the creative process?

A man who knows a thing or two about New Zealand publishing, Fergus Barrowman, is the publisher of Te Herenga Waka University Press

He speaks to Emile Donovan.

8:40 The House 

Tonight, on The House, Louis Collins looks at some of the bills going through urgency this week. 

8:45 Shower Thoughts: How do you value a property? 

Time now for another one of those seemingly random thoughts that strike amidst the steam and soap suds of the shower.

Have you ever wondered how they come up with house valuations? What sort of things could you do to push that all-important number up - or down?

Brett Whalley is General Manager, Professional Services for QV, and he joins the show to explain the ins and outs of the valuation business.

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 Live Music: Sionna 

Live from our Christchurch studios, Irish-born folk duo Lorcan Bolster and Helen Fahy chat to Emile Donovan and play a few tunes for us.

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

Tonight on The Detail - Sexual exploitation of children is seen as one of the worst crimes out there - but do the prison terms reflect the severity?

Follow this podcast

10:45 The Reading: Farm for Life

Episode two of an eight-part adaptation of a memoir/autobiography describing how Tangaroa Walker turned his life around through farming - and how what he learned can help anyone succeed.

11:07 Worlds of Music

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