Nights for Wednesday 19 November 2025

8:10 Sex ed consultation walking out the door

A proposed law change would mean schools would no longer have to consult their community on how sex education is taught.

Health is the only part of the curriculum with these kinds of obligations currently.

It's part of a broader realignment of the national curriculum to favour certainty and knowledge-rich standards, and do away with the current flexible model.

Dr Rachael Dixon, senior lecturer in health sciences at the University of Canterbury and a health education expert, joins Emile Donovan to discuss.

8:25 The House

Daniela Maoate-Cox examines the committee stage of a bill during which MPs debate the details line by line. 

8:30 When I met Metallica

As American metal heavyweights Metallica rock out Eden Park tonight, Kiwi fan Ben Sheeran shares his story of meeting the band backstage in the 90s.  

8:35 Midweek Mediawatch 

Colin Peacock joins Emile to review the week in media news. Topics include trouble in the town of Wimbledon, ongoing fallout from the BBC's coverage of President Trump and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia's visit to the White House.      

9:08 Nights Riddle

Tune in throughout the night for a series of riddle clues.

Be the first to text in the right answer and win a Nights mug.

Text 2101 or email nights@rnz.co.nz

Clue one:

I am a symbol of the 20th century, an alterer of perspectives and environments. Through me, one can observe a thousand realities, each subtly different from the other. I can show you a side of yourself you might never otherwise experience. 
 

9:10 Science with Ezzy Pearson 

Our regular science correspondent Ezzy Pearson talks life on mars, how rubbish could domesticate raccoons and using gene therapy to combat cholesterol. 

9:25 Stefan Fatsis: Why dictionaries are thrilling

The pen is only mightier than the sword of course because of the words it wields. Words are power. They allow us to express our thoughts, our emotions and in some cases, to change the course of history.

So it stands to reason that we should care about recording and preserving them. Traditionally this has been the job of the dictionary - the lexicon. But as dictionaries themselves have moved online, are we in danger of losing the tangible definitions - are the hard or soft cover editions on our bookshelves or in our desk drawers likely to be the last of their kind?

Stefan Fatsis is a journalist, scrabble player and author of Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat To) the Modern Dictionary. He talks to Emile about his love of words - and lexicons.  

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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10:18 The Detail

The Government is being pressed for action as the scandal over the police's handling of complaints against Jevon McSkimming sparks a national reckoning.

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10:45 The Reading

Part three of the eight-part adaptation of Farm for Life, continues the inspiring true story of farmer Tangaroa Walker as told by Jamie McCaskill.

11:07 Pocket Edition

In part two of this six-part series presenter George Kay focuses on David Bowie's breakthrough years - ranging from the early single The Laughing Gnome through to his Velvet Underground tribute track Queen Bitch.