Nights for Thursday 12 March 2026

8:10 What is CANZUK?

In the global arena there is one thing we're not short of - and that's a good acronym. The UN, the EU, NATO, OECD, ANZAC ... the list goes on. But there is a group that wants to add another, and they reckon it could be the next big thing. 

It's CANZUK, an acronym that stands for Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. CANZUK International, founded back in 2015, is an organisation that's advocating for a closer ties between these countries, particularly when it comes to things like mobility, free trade, and foreign policy. 

So how would CANZUK work and is it a legitimate way forward? 

Noel Cox is a former Barrister, legal scholar, priest, and a member of the advisory board of CANZUK - he joins Emile Donovan for a chat. 

8:25 The House 

Tonight on our Parliament show – The House – Louis Collins looks at what departing Labour MP Peeni Henare had to say in his valedictory speech.

8:30 Political/Philosophy with Natalia Albert

We’re talking politics now with political scientist Natalia Albert.

Natalia has been exploring what she thinks is a potential winning coalition heading into this year’s general election. No, we’re not talking about ACT, NZ First, or National. It’s not Labour, Greens, and Te Pāti Māori. And it’s not a grand coalition between the two major parties either.

On her Substack, Natalia has written a piece titled The MMP Math Is Right There: Labour and Opportunities Coalition for 2026. 

Natalia joins Emile Donovan for a chat. 

8:45 Suzanne McFadden: Telling women's stories 

My next guest is an award-winning journalist, author, podcaster, mum and nana. She's also a Member of the New Zealand Order for her services to sports journalism and women. 

For decades, Suzanne McFadden has been telling the stories of our champion sportswomen. Now working in family documentaries - capturing life stories of those in their later years - she has been thinking about an imbalance she sees in her own line of work. With 85 percent of her clientele being men, why do women feel like they don’t have a story to tell?

She joins Emile Donovan.

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 Niki Harré​: A year as a secular priest 

Niki Harré -- psychologist, academic and atheist -- spent a year as a secular priest, offering priestly services, attending church, and immersing herself in church communities. She's documented the experience in a new book called The Calling. 

Niki 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

Today on The Detail - Six years after New Zealand moved into its first lockdown, the final inquiry report examines lockdowns, mandates and the cost of the pandemic - and another Covid surge sweeps the country.

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10:45 The Reading

Tonight we have episode eight of Mr Allbones' Ferrets by Fiona Farrell.  

11:07 The Mixtape

This week Trevor Reekie talks to Jim Wilson, founder and owner of New Zealand's most successful poster and publicity company, Phantom Billstickers.