Nights for Thursday 11 December 2025

8:10 Glyphosate safety paper retraction exposes ghostwriting in science 

A peer-reviewed article on the safety of herbicide glyphosate has been retracted, eight years after ghostwriting from Monsanto employees was revealed in court.

New Zealand-based scientist Dr Sasha (Alexander) Kaurov, PhD Candidate in Science and Society, Victoria University of Wellington formally requested the retraction. 

He is the author of research into how the study influenced glyphosate safety discourse.

Dr Kaurov joins Emile Donovan.

8:25 The House

Tonight, on The House, Phil Smith looks at the Crimes Amendment Bill debated today,

8:30 Myth Takes with Ben Jackson

Tonight we have our monthly and final catch up of the year with Classics enthusiast and educator Ben Jackson.

And in the spirit of Christmas, Ben is taking us on a festive time-travel adventure through the toys and games kids played with in the ancient world.

8.40pm What is a Silent Divorce? 

We all know the sounds of a troubled relationship shouting, arguing and slamming doors.

But what about the sound of a marriage falling apart in complete silence?

It's something that impacts many couples but often goes unnoticed.

It's called the Silent Divorce.

Amanda Cox registered psychotherapist and co-founder of Auckland City Therapy and speaks to Emile Donovan.

8:45 Why some typefaces feel different

Have you ever thought a font looked "friendly" or "elegant"? Or felt that Comic Sans was somehow unserious? You're not imagining it.

Typefaces carry personalities, and we react to them more than we realise.

Lecturer in Psychology, Edge Hill University Andrea Piovesan has been exploring how the shapes of letters can subtly influence our feelings.

His website also looks at the scientific exploration into the perception of semantic qualities in typography.

He joins Emile Donovan

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 Is true crime as a form of entertainment ethical?

It’s one of the most popular forms of non-fiction. There’s no shortage of books, podcasts, TV shows, and movies detailing true crime stories.

For almost four years, Jen Eastwood spent countless hours researching, investigating, and producing true crime content.

Now, she focuses her time and energy on a project called Sick Sad Lit, a space for dark and unusual book recommendations, cultural commentary, and personal essays

Jen joins Emile Donovan.

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

This morning on The Detail - From storms to scorchers, what this summer's wild weather means for New Zealand tourism

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10:45 The Reading: 'Watch of Gryphons'.

Paul, an engineer from New Zealand working in Perugia has become close to his Italian neighbours, Maria and Giancarlo . Giancarlo has helped Paul resolve some of the difficulties he has been having at work and so Paul decides to take the couple on a picnic to see the his worksite in the hills above the city.

Peter Hambleton reading Episode 4 of 'Watch Of Gryphons' by Owen Marshall.

11:07 The Mixtape: Tammy Davis

Actor Tammy Davis tells Kara about his early days in the film industry, the creation of his beloved character Munter, and shares some of his favourite songs on The Mixtape.