8:10 How are the Greens shaping up ahead of the election?
Between attempted coups, celebrity candidates and clapback’s – most of our political parties, National, New Zealand First, Labour, ACT, Opportunity – have had their fair share of the spotlight.
But what about The Greens … despite some recent supermarket pricing headlines, the party, co-lead by Chloe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson, seem to be taking a bit more of a back seat.
So, we thought it was time for a bit of a health check ahead of the election.
Joining us on the show is Political Editor at The Post, Henry Cooke.
Green Party Co-Leader Chlöe Swarbrick delivering her ‘State of the Planet’ speech in Wellington.
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
8:25 The House
Tonight on our Parliament show – The House – Louis Collins looks at what was said during the urgent debate on the demotion of Chris Penk.
New Zealand Herald Wellington business editor Jenée Tibshraeny records a few budget 2026 thoughts from economist Brad Olson in the Press Gallery kitchen. With lots of extra bodies on precinct for Budget Day, people grab space where they can.
Photo: VNP/Phil Smith
8:30 Pop culture with Anna Rawhiti-Connell
It’s time for us to get in the know.
To put our finger on the pulse.
To get up to speed with what’s happening in pop-culture and the world wide web.
Joining us tonight, for what’s going to become a regular segment on Nights, is Anna Rawhiti- Connell.
Photo: Samuel Boivin / NurPhoto via AFP
8:40 What’s going on with our domestic netball league?
We’re talking netball, where our domestic league is facing a brain drain with upwards of 15 talented players expected to head offshore.
This comes amid ongoing questions around the future of the ANZ Premiership, with Netball New Zealand being unable to confirm that the competition will even go ahead next year.
RNZ’s Sport Editor Dana Johannsen has been covering this issue and joins Emile to discuss further.
Stars shooter Amelia Walmsley claims possession.
Photo: photosport
8:50 Shower Thoughts: can you get addicted to a nasal spray?
It’s that time of the week…. when we turn to those curious questions, we call here on RNZ Nights, Shower Thoughts.
Tonight’s question: can you get addicted to a nasal spray?
Dr Amy Chan is Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s School of Pharmacy,
She joins Emile Donovan on the show to explain.
Nasal sprays are used to treat a wide range of conditions
Photo: Pexels
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’s it like living in Guam?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in one of the more unusual and unseen corners of the world?
Well, here on Nights, we’re kicking off a new series where we aim to find out exactly that.
And to start us off, tonight we’re asking – What’s It Like Living in Guam?
It’s a tiny Micronesian island in the Western Pacific, home to around 170,000 people and an Indigenous population known as the Chamorro – and despite being thousands of kilometres from the US mainland, it’s actually a territory of the United States.
Here to give us the lowdown on everyday life in Guam is Michelle Pier. She’s a painter and lifelong Guam local.
Photo: Michelle Pier
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 – New Zealand is a nation of small businesses, but their owners don’t feel their political heft is equal to that scale.
Small businesses are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, but owners don’t necessarily feel they have the corresponding heft when it comes to getting into the ear of politicians.
Photo: Alexia Russell
10:45 The Reading
Tonight on The Reading – Elisabeth Smither’s short story ‘The Compassionate Restaurant’ told by Susan Curnow.
A woman takes over a restaurant and has to convert the staff and clientele to her philosophy of fine dining.
11:07 Worlds of Music
WOMAD 2025 features live recordings from a selection of international and Aotearoa musicians captured by the RNZ Music team at WOMAD Aotearoa in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth.
This week’s programme features Dutch-New Zealand trio MY BABY, bringing their hypnotic blend of blues, psychedelia, jazz, and driving grooves to the Bowl Stage at WOMAD Aotearoa 2025 in Ngāmotu, New Plymouth.