Nights for Monday 9 March 2026

8:15 A minor party Prime Minister? 

Could New Zealand ever see a Prime Minister from a minor party? It's never happened before in this country's history, but there's no reason why it couldn't. Whatever way the wind blows at election time this November, it is almost a certainty that our next government will require a coalition. 

Joining Emile Donovan to discuss is former leader of United Future, Peter Dunne. 

8.30 David Lange: History on Tape 

For 40 years, New Zealand's prime ministers have sat down with an oral historian for a tell-all interview, spilling insights into their political lives. There are thousands of hours of conversation with the likes of David Lange, John Key and Helen Clark and dozens of other politicians and aides.

In 2024 the Political Diary Oral History Project which was run by the Alexander Turnbull Library was closed down for operational reasons. Given the sensitive nature of these tapes there are strict conditions placed on releasing any of the interviews.

Writer and journalist Greg Bruce is one of the people lucky enough to have access to the tapes of Prime Minister David Lange - he joins Emile Donovan to tell us what it's like listening to this slice of New Zealand's history.

8:40 Small Histories with Emma Kay

It's a Monday night, which means it's time to dive into history with Nights' resident historian, Emma Kay.

Emma runs Small Histories of New Zealand, digging up curious stories, quirky articles, and forgotten treasures from our past.

Tonight she's taking a look at when our love of motor cars first appeared. 

8:50 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, New Zealand is thrashed by India in the T20 World Cup final, Kiwi Ben Waine's FA Cup heroics, and Auckland's crazy sporting weekend. 

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 The real life story behind Winnie-the-Pooh 

Winnie the Pooh has been delighting children and adults for a century, but for his creator A. A. Milne, the success brought a mix of pride and tension. His son, Christopher Robin, struggled with the fame that came from being the real-life inspiration for the boy in the stories, while Milne, already a literary success before Winnie-the-Pooh, saw much of his other work overshadowed by one of the most famous bears in the world.

Broadcaster and former politician Gyles Brandreth explores that complicated story in his new book Somewhere, A Boy and a Bear: A Biography of A. A. Milne and Winnie-the-Pooh -  he joins Emile Donovan for a chat. 

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 - The once quiet workhorse of climate policy, the humble tree, is now headline material, fuelling political fights and finding itself at the very root of a legal battle over our climate future 

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10:45 The Reading

Here's episode five of a ten part adaptation of Fiona Farrell's novel,  'Mr Allbones' Ferrets' . 

It was one of several  readings recorded by the Wellington actor and poet, Michele Amas 

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 new music from the Delines, country courtesy of Emmylou Harris, blues from Muddy Waters plus classics from Warren Zevon and David Bowie.