Nights for Monday 15 December 2025

8:10 What the Bondi attack tells us about gun law reform 

The terrible events of last night across the Tasman have once again put the spotlight on firearms control.

Sixteen people - including a gunman - were killed after a father and son opened fire at a Jewish holiday celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Australian officials described it as a targeted, antisemitic terror attack.

So where does it leave Australia and its controls on firearms, and what are the implications for gun law reforms in this country?

Waikato University's International Law Professor Al Gillespie joins Emile Donovan.

 

8:30: Small Histories of New Zealand with Emma Kay 

Every Monday, we take a moment to look back with our resident historian, Emma Kay.

Emma runs Small Histories of New Zealand, where she uncovers curious stories, quirky articles, and lost treasures from our past and shares them online.

With Christmas just around the corner, Emma has been trawling the newspaper archives to uncover some delightfully strange, surprising, and long-forgotten Christmas gifts and adverts from years gone by.

8:40 Yodelling hits a high 

Switzerland's centuries-old tradition of yodelling has just hit a high note, with UNESCO officially recognising the Alpine singing style as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage.

Other traditions on the list include Italian cooking, Japanese handmade paper and Central Asian yurt-making.

Here in New Zealand, yodelling has had something of a revival over the past couple of years.

Peter Cairns is a music teacher who also teaches the art of yodelling. He joins Emile Donovan.

8:50: World News with the BBC

We cross to our friends at the BBC World Service, to take a look at some of the events making international headlines.

Our correspondent tonight is Rob Hugh-Jones.  Tonight, it's been a tragic weekend of shootings in several parts of the world, another busy week in the Russia-Ukraine diplomatic back and forth and the European Union's highest court is set to rule on whether Denmark's policy of breaking up ghettos is lawful or not.

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 Sports with Jamie Wall 

RNZ sports journalist Jamie Wall joins Emile Donovan to look back on the biggest sports stories of 2025.

What were your highlights and lowlights? Text 2101

 

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 Best of the Detail - A marriage of bass drops and bow strings, Synthony strikes a chord from Christchurch to Calgary.

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10:45 The Reading: 'Watch of Gryphons'

Paul, an engineer from New Zealand who has been working in Perugia, finally learns the dreadful truth about the relationship between his neighbours and friends Giancarlo and Maria.

He leaves Perugia wondering at the resilience of love and hoping his new friends will find the strength to persevere and, perhaps, forgive.

Peter Hambleton reads the final episode of 'Watch Of Gryphons' by Owen Marshall.

11:07 Nashville Babylon

Every week on Nashville Babylon Mark Rogers presents the very best in country, soul and rock 'n' roll.

On this week's show there's blues from Taj Mahal and Daddy Long Legs, reggae courtesy of Bob Marley, new music from Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts plus tracks from Mark's album of the year - The Delines' Mr Luck And Ms Doom.