Nights for Thursday 19 February 2026

8:10 American military buildup in Middle East - is war imminent? 

War between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States seems closer than ever, with an American military buildup underway in the Middle East. Reports indicate President Donald Trump has deployed enough air and naval forces to the region to launch an attack in the coming days. However, his administration maintains the president is still seeking a diplomatic solution. So could this be the beginning of the end for the Islamic Republic after nearly 50 years? Many Iranian New Zealanders, including Auckland lawyer Samira Taghavi, hope so. She speaks to Emile Donovan. 

8:25 The House 

Our report from Parliament with Louis Collins who looks at what Parliament's newest MP Georgie Dansey said in her maiden statement. 

8:30 Have fringe festivals lost their way? 

The start of the year signals Fringe Festival season both here and across the Tasman. Fringe festivals are popular globally with the biggest being the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival. But have they lost their way? Some would say they have morphed into something quite different from the original concept. Indeed, a recent op ed in the Freemantle Herald carried the headline 'Why Fringe is a Farce'. Penny Ashton is a New Zealand-based comedian, poet, actor, and Fringe Festival regular. She gives her reckons to Emile Donovan. 

8:45 The world's only crab museum? 

Nights is attempting to put a foot in the door of every weird and wonderful museum the world has on offer. Tonight's museum might make you feel a little crabby. That's because we're off to Margate in the South of England to speak to Ned Suesat-Williams. He's a co-founder and director of the Crab Museum. Emile gets snappy with Ned. 

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.

For each question answered correctly, a quizzee gets their name put in the draw for the weekly prize: the coveted Nights mug.

9:25 Who is Japan's new leader? 

Japan's Sanae Takaichi has been reelected as Japan's leader with her ruling party consolidating power. Takaichi won enough to take an outright majority for her Liberal Democratic Party, yet the decision was made to continue the coalition agreement already in place. The election was called suddenly just four months into the now previous term - with Takaichi gambling on positive polling. Philip Turner is the former New Zealand Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. He speaks to Emile.

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

Today on The Detail, unemployment is at its highest level in more than a decade, but one expert offers a silver lining, saying that could actually be a sign of early economic growth. 

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10:45 The Reading

On today's reading of Goneville, Nick finds himself out on the road with Rick Bryant's band Rough Justice which proves to be an eye-opening experience. Written and read by Nick Bollinger.

11:07 The Mixtape

Kara Rickard is joined by Splore Festival Director John Minty who picks some of his favourite sounds.