Shows / Nights
Nights
Tune in to Nights with Emile Donovan every weekday from 8pm to midnight for a delectable buffet of creative ideas, open-minded conversations, music, musings and daily stimulation.
Episodes
- Nights
Meet Aotearoa's Galactic Kiwi
The Palmerston North astrophotographer, Evan Mckay, has now earned a place on the shortlist for the world's biggest astronomy photography award.
- Nights
What can Aotearoa learn from Andy Burnham?
Former mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel, looks at what lessons we can take from his approach when it comes to fixing our broken local councils.
- Nights
Becoming an accidental archivist
Jon Olav Stokke climbed into his parents' attic looking for a few family photographs. Instead, he uncovered a forgotten family archive.
- Nights
Shower Thoughts: Why can we read jumbled words?
Have you ever been standing in the shower when suddenly the noise in your brain clears and, in its place, appears the perfect thought?
- Nights
How Sir Sam Neill inspired a generation of palaeontologists
Sam Neill's portrayal of Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park impacted one profession in particular - palaeontologists.
- Nights
On the ground in Ukraine
ReliefAid Founder and Executive Director Mike Seawright shares what it was like being on the ground as Russia launched one it's largest attacks on Ukraine in…
- Nights
What's stopping landlords from going electric?
Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, joins the show to break this issue down.
- Nights
Reading The Classics
The Odyssey and other classics can demand patience and persistence. So how should we approach stories that have shaped Western literature?
- Nights
Sports with Ben Strang
Journalist and commentator Ben Strang joins the show with the latest sports news.
- Nights
Small Histories with Emma Kay
This week Emma is taking a look at the history of political scandals in Aotearoa.
- Nights
Who are the politicians actually getting things done?
Writer Danyl McLauchlan has put together a list of the country's most effective political operators for The Listener.
- Nights
How do we define consent?
Our laws still don't clearly define what consent is. Instead, they focus on what consent is not.
- Nights
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review The Odyssey and Propeller One-Way Night Coach.
- Nights
Previewing the 2026 Pacific Fusion Fashion Show
New Zealand Fashion Week for 2026 kicks off in a months' time. From August 17th - 22nd, local designers will have their creativity on display at Auckland's…
- Nights
Could NZ ever co-host the FIFA Men's World Cup?
This time Monday, the men's FIFA World Cup for 2026, will be over, with either Argentina or Spain taking out the much coveted trophy. The most watched sporting…
- Nights
The secrets to showing The Odyssey its full 70mm glory
We're going to talk a little trip - an Odyssey perhaps - to the projection room of Imax in Melbourne. It's the domain of , Dan Drobik, he's tasked with looking…
- Nights
Politics with Natalia Albert
It's time for our weekly politics catch-up with political scientist, writer, and former deputy leader of The Opportunities Party, or TOP as it was known then…
- Nights
The History Behind Aotearoa’s Smallest Symbols
They might be small, but they can tell some pretty big stories. A new exhibition at Te Papa, Iti te Kupu, Nui te Korero Tiny Statements: The Power of Badges…
- Nights
Can Opportunity's 'Rebrand' Lead to Electoral Success?
The Opportunity party has changed its name, its branding and its messaging under leader Qiulae Wong. The reset appears to be gaining traction, with the latest…
- Nights
European correspondent Christian Smith
Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.
- Nights
Singer-songwriter Agnes Obel
Renowned for her elegant, elastic voice, Berlin-based, Danish-born singer, songwriter, producer and classically trained pianist Agnes Obel is making her…
- Nights
WORD Christchurch Festival
WORD Christchurch Festival have just announced their exciting programme for 2026. Running from the 1st - 6th of September, the line up features bold ideas…
- Nights
Bird flu is in New Zealand, here’s what to look out for
This afternoon it was confirmed that bird flu has been detected on our shores. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said a brown skua had tested positive after…
- Nights
Josh Frizzell on making a film about his father
Josh Frizzell is a renowned kiwi filmmaker and director - the brains behind some of our iconic small screen moments. And yes, you may recognize his last name -…
- Nights
Shower Thoughts: Is it better to pick your own Lotto numbers?
Have you ever been standing in the shower when suddenly the noise in your brain clears and, in its place, appears the perfect thought? That's a Shower Thought…
- Nights
What’s happening around the globe with Anna Fifield
We're starting a new regular segment here on Nights looking at foreign policy, global power shifts, and New Zealand's place in the world. Joining us…
- Nights
Comedy-dance-theatre Sharp Teeth
Scientists have studied it, poets have romanticised it, and musicians have written millions of songs about it, but nobody has ever fully explained why humans…
- Nights
Are we approaching council mergers the right way?
Earlier this year the government unveiled a plan to shake up local government by merging many of New Zealand's 78 councils into fewer, larger ones. The…
- Nights
The Life-Changing Impact of Organ Donation
Organ Donation New Zealand have released their review for 2025, revealing the figures behind almost 300 lifesaving and life-changing organ and tissue…
- Nights
Sports with Ben Strang
Well, it was a sports bonanza over the weekend. Here to run us through some of the most interesting, important and downright wild storylines is Nights own…
- Nights
Neil the Seal!
After months of flattening fence posts, blocking roads and footpaths, and attracting thousands of fans, Tasmania's biggest, quite literally biggest, celebrity…
- Nights
Small Histories with Emma Kay
Every Monday night around this time we take a moment to look back with our resident historian, Emma Kay. Emma runs Small Histories of New Zealand, where she…
- Nights
The new app to get you sewing
If you have a pile of clothes with missing buttons or holes that you're not quite sure how to fix, our next guest may have the solution for you. Kirsty O'Hara…
- Nights
Remembering Sir Sam Neill
We start tonight with the sad news that legendary kiwi actor, Sam Neill, has passed away aged 78. At The Movies and Matinee Idle's Simon Morris joins Susana to…
- Nights
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic Dan Slevin joins Susana Lei'ataua to review Primavera (directed by Damiano Michieletto), Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and…
- Nights
Should Parents Really Feel Guilty About Screen Time
Many parents will recognise this situation: a sick child, a long car trip, or as is the case over the past few days . . . constant rain during the school…
- Nights
Christchurch Brick Show
There are LEGO sets... and then there are LEGO creations that make you wonder, "How on earth did they build that?" That's exactly what's on show in…
- Nights
Dame Robin White on Working with Oil Paint Again
Celebrated New Zealand artist Dame Robin White has returned to painting with oil for the first time in 50 years. Renowned for portraying people and their…
- Nights
The Good Sex Project
Journalist Melody Thomas joins Susana to talk about the upcoming episodes of her podcast, The Good Sex Project, which explores the ins and outs of intimacy…
- Nights
Can We Hear A Smile?
It's time for our fortnightly chat with Nights' resident sociolinguist, associate professor Julia de Bres. Tonight . . . We're talking about smiling . . . in…
- Nights
European correspondent Christian Smith
Christian Smith dials in from London with news from the other side of the world.
- Nights
How do we keep our buildings standing?
There were tense scenes in New York this morning. A high-rise office building near Grand Central Terminal in New York was evacuated this morning after…
- Nights
The Mystery Behind a 140-Year-Old Dunedin Headstone
It started with an overgrown bush in Dunedin's Southern Cemetery. Beneath it was a forgotten Chinese headstone and a 142-year-old mystery. After clearing the…
- Nights
Bad Hair Day? It May Be Affecting More Than Your Appearance
We all get bad hair days and how we feel about our locks - or lack thereof - can affect how we show up in our everyday life. In fact - the relationship we have…
- Nights
Shower Thoughts
Have you ever been standing in the shower when suddenly the noise in your brain clears and, in its place, appears the perfect thought? That's a Shower Thought…
- Nights
Red Weather Warning and Evacuations in Kaikoura
We speak to Kaikoura mayor Craig Mackle for the latest on region under a red heavy rain warning.
- Nights
Can Indoor Cats be Happy as Outdoor Cats?
New research has found that you can indeed teach an old cat new tricks. Companion Animals NZ in collaboration with Adelaide University have been looking at…
- Nights
Maramataka: Understanding the Bigger Picture Behind Matariki
This Friday the country will pause and look up as we mark Matariki. Matariki is the Maori name for the cluster of stars that rises at this time of year…
- Nights
Weird and wonderful shoes with Kathryn Wilson
If you have a love of shoes - or you've been scrolling social media - you're not imagining things if you've seen more extreme footwear than usual. Yes, strange…
- Nights
It's Kiribati Language Week
It's Kiribati Language Week and Roi Burnett, a Pacific Studies doctoral candidate at the University of Auckland, is hoping that we'll all use this week as a…
- Nights
Sports with Ben Strang
Well, it was a sports bonanza over the weekend. Here to run us through some of the most interesting, important and downright wild storylines is Nights own…
- Nights
Small Histories with Emma Kay
Every Monday night around this time we take a moment to look back with our resident historian, Emma Kay. Emma runs Small Histories of New Zealand, where she…
- Nights
Is sustainable tourism possible?
It's that time of year. The temperature drops into single digits. The days get shorter. Sometimes it feels like you don't see the sun for days. And before long…
- Nights
Out Lately with Finn Johansson
He's back, and no doubt ready to inform, educate and entertain us with an array of eclectic music.
- Nights
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic Dan Slevin joins Susana Lei'ataua to review: Kiki's Delivery Service (In Cinemas), Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man (HBO max)…
- Nights
Tristan Hughes brings The Ancients to Aotearoa
As host of one of the world's biggest history podcasts, he has spent more than 600 episodes exploring everything from Ancient Greece to the Neanderthals,
- Nights
A new season for the Wāhine Warriors
Six players could make their NRL Women's debut this weekend as the Wāhine Warriors start the new season.
- Nights
Tongan Kiwi filmmaker on being invited to The Academy
Vea Mafile’o has spent years putting Pasifika stories on the big screen. Now, she's one of 529 film professionals invited the Academy this year.
- Nights
The Extraordinary History of Mac n Cheese
The history of the meal is more interesting than you might have ever considered.
- Nights
The forgotten pioneering women of the New Zealand goldfields
Tonight, we're talking about a book which unearths the forgotten stories of the women who shaped New Zealand's goldfields.