Nights for Wednesday 17 December 2025
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Why Jane Austen still connects with readers
9:25 PM.Associate Lecturer in English Literature, Dr Naomi Walker explains why the author's connection with her readers is as strong as ever. Read more Audio
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What does voter fraud claims mean for future of local body election voting?
8:10 PM. Otago University Professor of Law, Andrew Geddis joins Emile Donovan. Read more Audio
8:10 Implications of voter fraud claims on future of local body elections
An Auckland judge has upheld a petition in the Manukau District Court calling for a judicial inquiry following allegations of fraud in an Auckland local body election.
The judge ruled that the irregularities materially affected the result, declaring the election of local board members for the Papatoetoe subdivision of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board void.
A new election will now be held.
Andrew Geddis is an Otago University Professor of Law, and was also on the Local Government NZ electoral reform working group, which earlier this year called for the Electoral Commission to take over both the promotion of local body voting and the administration of elections
He joins Emile Donovan.
Photo: Supplied via LDR
8:20 The House
Tonight on our Parliament show - The House – Louis Collins covers a special debate on the quality of life for aging New Zealanders.
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
8:30 Midweek Mediawatch
Tonight, the glitziest night in media you can enjoy through the medium of live radio - the third annual Midweek Mediawatch Awards.
To present the awards, Colin Peacock who is pressed, polished and ready to pass judgement.
Mediawatch presenter Colin Peacock Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
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 will win an RNZ Nights mug.
9:15 Science with Ezzy Pearson
For the final time this year we talk science with our correspondent Ezzy Pearson
Tonight, some Xmas themed science research, including the science of cooking the perfect turkey.
A turkey Christmas dinner. Photo: subbotina/123RF
9:25 Why Jane Austen still connects with readers
This week marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of author Jane Austen.
Despite having published only six books, she is one of the best-known and best-loved authors in history
The connection her readers feel to her is illustrated by a basket by her graveside which is overflowing with handwritten letters addressed to her.
So what is it about Jane Austen that keeps her relevant, and so loved?
Dr Naomi Walker is an Associate Lecturer in English Literature, The Open University in Milton Keyes in the UK and she joins Emile Donovan.
Jane Austen Photo: CC 3.0 BY-SA / Gresham College
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.
10:17 The Detail
Tonight on The Detail - Proponents of offal-eating point out that it's just polite to use every part of a beast we've killed .... it's really the least we can do.
Hannah Miller Childs, funder of The Lady Butcher Photo: Davina Zimmer
10:45 The Reading: 'One of Life's Little Challenges'
Tonight, we go for a run, metaphorically speaking.
Helen Moulder
reads One of Life's Little Challenges' by Mary Bell Thornton and told by Helen Moulder.
11:07 Pocket Edition
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 the final episode of this series presenter George Kay focuses on Bowie's career from the early 1980's through to 2004.
Photo: AFP
