Nights for Wednesday 26 November 2025

8:10 Should tenants be able to ask for a rent decrease in the current rental climate?

For the first time in a while, the rental market is competitive - nationally, prices are down and listings are up.

So should tenants feel empowered to ask for a rent reduction? And should landlords accept, when asked?

Sarina Gibbon is the founder of Tenancy Advisory, providing advice to both landlords and tenants, and was general manager of the Auckland Property Investors Association for seventeen years.

She joins Emile Donovan.

8:20 The history of the iconic chocolate fish 

The chocolate fish - it seems as entrenched in kiwi culture as the likes of L&P and the pavlova.

Wikipedia describes them as "a popular Kiwi treat - commonly given as bonuses for doing a good job or as a compliment."

Senior writer at The Spinoff, Alex Casey has been taking a deep dive into the history of the chocolate fish and why they are our preferred reward. 

She joins Emile Donovan.

8:30 Midweek Mediawatch

Colin Peacock joins Emile Donovan to debrief the week in media news.

Tonight, how the media covered the sad event of the funeral of the Field family children, some interesting numbers on newspaper readership, and a startling radio traffic report.

9:05 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

CLUES:

CLUE 1:

I have been around for a long long time, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of years. Once shunned, I am now seen by many as attractive, but dangerous. I tend to emerge at a certain time of year - though technological developments have extended my lifespan. I must be regularly fed, or I’ll retreat. 

CLUE 2: 

I am truly international, present in every country on earth. I have an extremely bad reputation in Ireland. A much better reputation in Miami. Trying to cultivate me in New Zealand is seen as quite dangerous - there’s even a mantra about it. 

CLUE 3: 

My food of choice is vitamin D. Go the artificial route, and expect to wear paper undies - and if you overindulge, you might turn into a symbol for vitamin C
 

9:10 UK correspondent Christian Smith

Christian Smith joins Emile Donovan to discuss news making headlines in the UK.

Tonight - Budget Day in the UK, the Trump Ukraine deal, what is the view from Europe, and how much is a fish worth? The bizarre story of the 'fish disco' and the cost of keeping fish safe near Britain's new nuclear power plant.

9:25 'On Law, violence and revolution', new book examines what happens after war

Legal scholar.Marika Sosnowski is the descendant of Polish and Dutch Holocaust survivors who escaped Europe and came to Australia.

She spends her days teaching legal anthropology at Melbourne Law School, and joins Emile Donovan to discuss her new book, 'Fifty-eight Facets'.

Marika Sosnowksi will be appearing at the following events:

A public lunchtime panel sponsored by the NZ Centre for Public Law with Thomas Gregory, moderated by Marnie Lloydd  

Friday 28 November, 12-1pm

Faculty of Law, Te Herenga Waka|Victoria University of Wellington

An author book talk in conversation with Sarah Jane Parton

Schrödinger’s Books 

137 Jackson Street, Petone

Friday 28 November, 6-7pm

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 - As the cost of insurance rises, Consumer NZ sees worrying signs that more people are dropping their house insurance

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10:45 The Reading

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.

Tonight, part seven of Farm for Life by Tangaroa Walker and told by Jamie McCaskill

11:07 Pocket Edition: David Bowie - Part 3

David Bowie has been an innovator in popular music since the late 1960's, in this six-part series presenter George Kay looks at Bowie's career and music.  

In this episode series presenter George Kay focuses on the 'glam rock' glitter period of Bowie's career - spanning the Ziggy Stardust concept album through to the critically challenged Diamond Dogs.