Nights for Monday 23 February 2026

8:15 Why we could find ourselves caught between superpowers over global supply of critical minerals 

They’re the hidden power behind everything from electric cars to clean energy and cutting-edge military hardware.

And the world is racing to control rare earth minerals, with the US scrambling to catch China, which by some estimates is forty years ahead.

Earlier this month New Zealand was invited to a summit in Washington DC to showcase shovel-ready or active critical minerals projects for a US-led supply chain.

But could we end up caught between two superpowers vying for economic and diplomatic control of the future?

Newsroom.co.nz reporter Fox Meyers has been looking into the issue, and he joins Emile Donovan.

8:25 Small Histories with Emma Kay

Emma runs Small Histories of New Zealand, where she digs up curious stories, funny articles, and lost treasures from our past and shares them on social media.

And tonight, a tale of a sea monster spotted off the West Coast and the chaos it caused

8:30 What are your rights when it comes to neighbour's trees

The recent wild weather has got us thinking about what the rules are when you're worried your neighbour's tree might fall on your house.

So if you're worried your neighbour's tree is unsafe and could fall and damage your property, are you allowed to cut it down?

Senior Associate at Smith and Partners Lawyers, Nathan Tetzlaff joins Emile Donovan.

8:40 Sports with Richard Irvine

Writer and sports fan Richard Irvine joins Emile Donovan to talk about what's been happening in the world of sport.

Tonight, a loss for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby, and highlights from the Winter Olympics.

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 What the new Star Wars movie trailer reveals

Fans got a taste of the new Star Wars movie in the just released first full promotional trailer.

The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first big screen Star Wars movie in nearly seven years and is set for release in May.

So how is the trailer going down with fans? And what can we learn about the new movie from this preview? 

Dr Christian Long is lecturer in film at the University of Otago and 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

Tonight on The Detail - The Canterbury preserves company wants to spray wastewater - which contains cleaning chemicals - onto neighbouring DOC reserve.

It's a stark difference to the way the company deals with wastewater at its French plant.

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10:45 The Reading: Goneville Episode 7

Goneville is a rock'n'roll coming of age story by Nick Bollinger, who was just 18 when he went on the road with the band Rough Justice and its smoky-voiced, charismatic leader Rick Bryant. 

Tonight, Nick finds that life as a musician on the road in a rock band is short on glamour, a lot of hard work and there is next to no chance of making a dollar.

11:07 Nashville Babylon

Mark Rogers presents the very best in country, soul and rock 'n' roll.

On this week's show there's tracks from the Grateful Dead, Holly Golightly and Steve Earle, birthday tunes for Nina Simone and George Harrison, Detroit blues courtesy of Jawbone, plus new music from Miles Calder.